The Nugget
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Flat Fire scorches Sisters Country
By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
It started on Thursday afternoon, August 21, out in the flats about three miles west of Lake Billy Chinook. The human-caused Flat Fire built momentum and rolled south, approaching, then crossing the Deschutes County line.
On Friday, communities to the north of Sisters were under evacuation notices. The situation evolved very quickly, with residents jumping from Level 1 — Be Ready status to Level 3 — Go Now in minutes. The tempo of events drove home the urging of emergency services officials that people in Sisters Country prepare
Authors looking forward to book festival
By Jim Cornelius Correspondent
Dozens of authors are getting set to make their way to Sisters for the third Sisters Festival of Books, set for September 12-14.
The writers are looking forward to engaging with readers in panels, workshops, and presentations. Kelly Ramsey’s appearance will be particularly timely. She is the author of “Wildfire Days: A Woman, a Hotshot Crew, and the Burning American West.”
When Kelly Ramsey drives over a California mountain pass to join an elite firefighting crew, she’s terrified that she won’t be able to keep up with the intense demands of the job. Not only will she be the only woman on this hotshot crew and their first in ten years, she’ll also be among
the oldest. As she trains relentlessly to overcome the crew’s skepticism and gain their respect, megafires erupt across the West, posing an increasing danger both on the job and back home. In vivid prose that evokes the majesty of Northern California’s forests, Kelly takes us on the ground to see how major wildfires are fought and to lay bare the psychological toll, the bone-deep weariness, and the unbreakable camaraderie that emerge in the face of nature’s fury.
Ramsey told The Nugget that she is very much looking forward to engaging with “a real literary community in this small town.”
“I just love meeting readers — whether they’ve read the book or not,” she said.
for such contingencies in advance.
Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Conflagration Act on Friday, August 22, and structure protection units from across the state and region began to pour into Sisters, staging at the Sisters Rodeo Grounds. Air units were also mobilized to the fire, which, with some
4,000 residences under threat, became the toppriority fire in the Pacific Northwest. Those structure protection units and air attack worked intensely through a crisis as the fire blew up in Whychus Canyon Saturday afternoon and evening. The
See FLAT FIRE on page 7
Arrest made in sex abuse case
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating multiple allegations of sexual misconduct involving a now-former employee at Camp Caldera at Blue Lake west of Sisters. In a media release, the Sheriff’s Office reported that on August 12, a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputy took an initial report, then met with the reporting parties and victims at a neutral location, where several individuals provided detailed statements. The sheriff’s office reported that during the interviews, the victims identified the suspect as “Bear,” later confirmed to be Zackary Perry, 28, of Portland. According to the release, “during the investigation, multiple accounts of inappropriate conduct and sexual misconduct by Perry were
See SEX ABUSE on page 21
100-mile race finishes in Sisters
By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
The Oregon Cascades 100 alpine ultra running race began in Bend on Saturday, August 23 with 200 runners registered for the 50-mile run and 327 for the 100-mile course. Both ended at Sisters Middle School Sunday.
The overnight race for the 100-milers had roughly 10,700 feet of elevation gain and 11,200 feet of elevation loss. Promoter Alpine Running told registrants: “Don’t let the elevation gain fool you...it’s packed into the first 100K of the course making this easy-on-paper race much harder than expected.”
It began at Swampy Lakes Sno-Park for the 50-milers. The 100-milers started at Pacific Crest Middle School in Bend. It ended abruptly and prematurely around 3 a.m. when organizers determined that dense smoke from the Flat Fire was a hazard. Despite on-and-off smoky conditions in Sisters with air quality index readings varying from 30 to almost 200, runners enjoyed mostly good air and clear skies at the start and into the early evening.
Then thick smoke settled over the course, forcing termination of the race.
The Bend side was smooth, flowing single track in the shadow of Mount
Kyle Peterson, age 26, of Battle Ground, Washington, completed 100 miles in the Oregon Cascades 100 on Saturday.
PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT
The iconic Rimrock Ranch gate at the end of Wilt Road served as a symbol of the destruction wrought by The Flat Fire which started Thursday, August 21. PHOTO BY PAM MITCHELL
Letters to the Editor…
The Nugget welcomes contributions from its readers, which must include the writer’s name, address, and phone number. Letters to the Editor is an open forum for the community and contains unsolicited opinions not necessarily shared by the Editor. The Nugget reserves the right to edit, omit, respond, or ask for a response to letters submitted to the Editor. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned. The deadline for all letters is 10 a.m. Monday.
Media bias
Of course, there’s bias in the media. We know that the press on the left hates Trump and the press on the right loves him. But frankly, the media on the right and its followers love him too much and can’t admit to his faults. I have written letter after letter and posted until I’m blue in the face that those who love him too much and outwardly approve of every single thing he does and says aren’t doing him or the country any favors. You wouldn’t let a close friend or someone you highly respect say something stupid or downright lie to make their point. If your friend bragged and arrogantly patted
himself on the back constantly, you would say something, wouldn’t you? Of course, you would, because the mere association with that person makes you look bad. We’d all be better off if CNN would show less hate for Trump and FOX would mellow out on their love for him. Trump is always saying, “Let’s see what happens.” You, his followers, need to say “Let’s be what happens.” Then, let him know how beautiful, amazing, and extraordinary it would be if he just tried to be more presidential.
Terry Coultas
s s s
See LETTERS on page 6
Sisters Weather Forecast
The Nugget Newspaper, LLC
www.nuggetnews.com | 541-549-9941
442 E. Main Ave., P.O. Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759
Postmaster: Send address changes to The Nugget Newspaper, PO Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759. 3rd Class Postage Paid at Sisters, OR.
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).
Editor in Chief & Co-owner: Jim Cornelius, editor@nuggetnews.com
Community Marketing Partner: Kimberly Young, ads@nuggetnews.com
Classifieds, Circulation, Proofreading: Kema Clark, nugget@nuggetnews.com
Graphic Design, Billing: Leith Easterling, accounting@nuggetnews.com
Creative Director: Jess Draper, jess@nuggetnews.com
Co-owner: J. Louis Mullen
Discovering “The Undiscovered Country”
Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
Bold statement incoming: Paul Andrew Hutton’s “The Undiscovered Country” is the finest single-volume work of U.S. frontier history available in 2025. If I was to hand a neophyte one book to give him or her a clear picture of the triumph and tragedy, the glory and the sorrow of the American frontier story, this would be it. And a seasoned student of this rich history will find it worthy and revelatory, too.
Understanding the centuries-spanning story of the conquest and settlement of the North American continent is crucial to understanding the American character. So much of how we see ourselves and the world — and how the world sees us — has its origins in the history of the American frontier. That sense of ourselves can be cast in a positive and a negative light.
It is a story of breathtaking courage and resilience, and a story of sordid treachery and terrible brutality. It is a story of mind-boggling technical achievement and economic dynamism, and a story of wholesale environmental degradation and destruction. It is, above all, a very human story.
Hutton hones in on seven main protagonists — Daniel Boone, the Creek militant Red Eagle, Davy Crockett, Apache leader Mangas Coloradas, Kit Carson, the Lakota visionary Sitting Bull, and scout-turnedshowman William “Buffalo Bill” Cody — to create a seven-generation tapestry that depicts triumph and tragedy, both personal and national, from a range of perspectives.
Hutton is Distinguished Professor of History at the University of New Mexico and a multiple Western Writers of America Spur Award Winner. My expectations were high for his career-capping magnum opus — and he exceeded them. He sweeps across 150 years of history, from the Appalachians to the Pacific, from Braddock’s Defeat on the Monongahela River during the French and Indian War in 1755 to Wounded Knee in 1890, and manages to immerse us in the magnificent, strange, savage — and sometimes seriocomic — worlds of the continental frontier the whole way.
His account of Braddock’s campaign to take Fort Duquesne at the Forks of the Ohio River, and his catastrophic repulse at the hands of the French and their native allies is the most vivid I have seen, and believe me, I’ve seen a bunch. His profiles of obscure yet significant frontier characters like Sarah Bowman, aka The Great Western, and the daredevil Irish entrepreneur and scout James “Paddy” Graydon are both delightful and illuminating. This isn’t a great work because it breaks new interpretive ground, like say Richard White’s paradigm-shifting “The Middle Ground: Indians, Empires, and Republics in the Great Lakes Region, 1650–1815.” “The Undiscovered Country” achieves its greatness in narrative drive. It hones in on salient lives to illustrate the sweep and scope of a continental folk movement, and it does it with unflinching honesty and considerable verve. It offers those of us who know and love this song a deeply involving extended version. And it is a book that will make a casual reader want to delve deeper into frontier lore. That is a noble achievement.
It all comes down to storytelling. Hutton’s work is grounded in a lifetime of research, and primary sources are woven seamlessly through the narrative. But the narrative itself is the foreground, because Hutton understands something that academics often forget: History is Story. In the case of frontier history, Story was being woven into a tapestry of foundational myth even as it was being enacted in real time.
Hutton has elite-level storytelling chops. Part of that is straight-up skill; he’s a fine writer. But there is an ineffable element that can only derive from his deep love for the subject; like many of us, Hutton is clearly besotted with the good, the bad, and the ugly of the American frontier epic. He is an honest man, not an axgrinder, a man who loves the Story in its fullness and understands that triumph and tragedy can coexist in the same moment, that noble and base motives can — and usually do — coincide in human actions.
“The Undiscovered Country” is a must-read. And one to pass along.
Tanker runs with retardant were critical in saving homes along Whychus Creek Canyon.
PHOTO BY JACK TURPEN
fund-raising
Luau at Village Green defies smoke
By
Nearly 75 determined diners gathered at Village Green Saturday for the Kiwanis Luau, a benefit for the new community trail under development at the Sisters schools. (See The Nugget, August 5, page 1).
About 300 tickets had been sold, and undoubtedly fire concerns depressed sales and turnout.
However, ticket holders did not go empty-handed. They were able to come to the Green and, if they preferred, could pick up their dinner that had been in preparation since 3:45 a.m. that morning. Shannon Rackowski, well-known in Sisters for her work in dancing, exercise, and decorating, as well as her passion for all things Hawaiian, was
the lead cook but enjoyed help from an enthusiastic and undaunted team.
On Sunday, all over town, folks took a break from talk of the fire to say what the luau meant to them. Dixie and Boyd Caruthers were given tickets by friends in town when they learned that the couple was among the evacuated.
“It meant so much to us, to sit at table with strangers who treated us like we were lifelong friends,” Dixie said. “Sure, we talked about our situation, but most of the talk was just the kind of neighborly chatter that happens in Sisters,” added Boyd. “It’s like we are all part of one big family.”
Only the entertainment portion of the dinner was canceled to protect the performers from smoke inhalation. Otherwise, the
conversation was lively and the skies at that point were a patchwork of blue mixed with light clouds and an even lighter patina of haze. Tickets, at $25, raised around $7,000 for the project before deductions for food.
Kiwanis President David Hiller expressed his delight. “The luau was outstanding considering the conditions presented. Was nip and tuck right up to decision time at 3 p.m. Sold approximately 300 dinners both take away and dine in the park,” he said. “It was great to see all the community support of the luau and nature trail considering how many people attending were evacuees or hosts of evacuees. This community is amazing in support of our schools even in times of stress and emergencies. Thank you, Sisters Country residents and guests.”
Hand balancer to perform in circus
The circus performer strides into the center of the tent, his silhouette backlit by the stage lights above. As he gracefully climbs the scaffolding, the light reflects off the gold rhinestones on his leotard, a mesmerizing sight that enraptures the audience seated below. Over 20 feet in the air, he carefully places his hands on the small blocks attached to stainless steel canes that are fixed to the scaffolding beneath him. The crowd collectively holds their breath as he leans his weight forward onto the blocks and smoothly lifts his body into a
perfect handstand, the canes gently swaying beneath him. He is up so high that it seems as if his feet might touch the canvas of the red and white striped big top above. This impressive feat is accomplished during almost every Venardos Circus performance by 21- year-old Angel Ramos. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and raised in Las Vegas, Ramos went to public school growing up and got involved in gymnastics at a very young age. In contrast to most public school kids, however, Ramos spent a lot of his free time hanging around the circus where his
Teen musicians built a band at Sisters camp
in nature.
Fifteen-year-old Iain Bennette stood center stage upstairs at Sisters Art Works on Friday, playing fiddle. Smoke had driven teen musicians indoors from a planned concert on The Barn’s outdoor stage.
Build a Band: Advanced Strings was the final weeklong camp in the Summer Creativity Camps series produced by SFF Presents. Offerings included embroidery, painting, theater, fiddle camp, and art adventures
SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR
BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS
Al -Anon
Mon., noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church 541- 610-73 83
Alcoholics Anonymous
Monday, 5 p.m., Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church • Tuesday, noon, Big Book study, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church • Wednesday, 7 a.m.,G entlemen’s meeting, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church • Thursday, noon, Sober Sisters Women’s meet ing, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
Thursday, 7 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Transf iguration • Fr iday, noon, Step & Tradition meeting, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church 541- 54 8- 04 40 Saturday, 8 a.m., Episcopal Church of the Transf iguration
Central Oregon Fly Tyer s Guild
For Saturday meeting dates and location, email: steelef ly@msn.c om Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA) Sisters Chapter meets monthly for a meeting, group bike ride, or event. Contact sistersrep@c otamtb.c om for info
Ci tizens4Communit y Communit y Builders meeting, 3rd Wednesday of ever y mont h, 10 to 11:3 0 a.m. Visit citizens 4c ommunity.c om for location
Council on Aging of Central Oregon Senior Lunch In -person communit y dining, Tues. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Grab -and -go lunch Tues., Wed., Thurs. 12:3 0 to 1 p.m. Sisters Communit y Church 541- 48 0-18 43
East of the Cascades Quilt Guild 4th Wed. (September-June), Stitchin’ Post All are welc ome. 541- 549- 60 61
Go Fi sh Fishing Group 3rd Monday 7 p.m., Sisters Communit y Church 541-771-2211
Hear twarmers (f leec e blanketmaker s)
2nd Tuesday, 1 p.m., Sisters Communit y Church Materials provided 541- 40 8- 8505
Hero Quilters of Sisters Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m. 541- 668 -1755
Living Well With Dementia Sister s Care Partner Suppor t Group. 2nd & 4th Weds 1-2:30 p.m. Sisters Librar y Communit y Room. 541- 58 8- 05 47
Mili tary Parent s of Sister s Meetings are held quarterly; please call 541-38 8- 9013
Oregon Band of Brothers Sisters Chapter meets Wednesda ys, 11:3 0 a.m., Takoda’s Rest aurant. 541- 549- 6469
Sisters Aglow Lighthouse 4t h Saturday, 10 a.m., meet ing by Zoom. 503- 93 0- 6158
Sisters Area Photography Club 2nd Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., at Sisters Communit y Church 541- 549- 6157
Sisters Area Woodworker s First Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m. 541-231-18 97
Sisters Bridge Club Thursdays, 12:3 0 p.m. at Sisters Communit y Church Email sister sbridge2021@gmail.com.
Sisters Caregi ver Support Group 2nd & 4th Weds., 1-2:30 p.m. Sisters Librar y Communit y Room. 541- 58 8- 05 47 (M eets with Living Well With Dementia Sisters)
Sisters Garden Club For mont hly meetings visit: SistersGardenClu b.com.
Sisters Habitat for Humani ty Board of Director s 4t h Tuesday, 4:30 p.m. Location information: 541- 549-1193
Sisters Kiwani s 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 11:3 0 a.m. to 1 p.m., at SPRD in Sisters. 541- 632- 3663
Sisters Parent Teacher Communit y 2nd Tuesday, 6 p.m. at Sister s Elementary School Commons. 917-219- 8298
Sisters Rotary 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, Noon, Aspen Lakes. 541-76 0- 5645
Sisters Veterans no -host lunch, Thursdays, noon, Takoda’s Rest aurant. All veterans welc ome, 541-241- 6563
Sisters Trails Alliance Board
Meetings take place ever y other month, 5 p.m. In -person or zoom. Cont act: info@sisterstrails.org
Three Sister s Irrigation District Board of Director s Meets 2nd Tuesday, 10 a.m., TSID Of fice 541- 903- 4050
Three Sister s Lions Club 2nd Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Spoons Rest aurant. 541- 419-1279
VF W Post 8138 and American Legion Po st 86 1st Wednesday of the month, 6:30 p.m., Pine Meadow Village Clubhouse, 59 6 W Jefferson Ave. 541-241- 6563
SCHOOLS
Black Bu tt e School
Board of Director s 3rd Tuesday, 9 a.m. Black Butte School. 541- 59 5- 6203
Sisters School District Board of Directors One Wednesday mont hly, Sisters School District Administration Building. See schedule at www.ssd 6. org. 541- 549- 8521 x5 002. CITY & PARKS
Bennette and his fellow musicians played cover songs by artists from Whiskey Myers to The Clash and the Cranberries, along with original tunes written by camp members. Standup bass, melodica, mandolin, harmonica, banjo, and guitars were among the instruments played.
It’s Bennette’s second summer performing and learning in the advanced music class, which contained many students from previous
Sisters Ci ty Council 2nd & 4t h Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall 541- 549- 6022
Sisters Park & Recreation District
Board of Director s 2nd & 4t h Tues., 4 p.m., Coff ield Center 541- 549-20 91
Sisters Planning Commission 3rd Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall 541- 549- 6022
FIRE & POLICE
Black Bu tt e Ranch Po lice Dept Board of Director s Meets mont hly. 541- 59 5-2191 for time & date
Black Bu tt e Ranch RFPD Board of Directors 4th Thurs., 9 a.m., BB R Fire Station. 541- 59 5-2288 Cloverdale RFPD
Board of Director s 3rd Wed., 5:30 p.m., 6743 3 Cloverdale Rd. 541- 54 8- 4815 cloverdalefire.c om
Sister s- Camp Sherman RFPD
Board of Director s 3rd Tuesday, 9 a.m., Sisters Fire Hall, 541- 549- 0771
Sister s- Camp Sherman RFPD Drills Tuesdays, 7 p.m., Sisters Fire Hall 301 S. Elm St. 541- 549- 0771
PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT
Sisters Kiwanis went ahead with their
luau, despite the Flat Fire.
Bill Bartlett Correspondent
By Lilli Worona Correspondent
By T. Lee Brown Correspondent
The Flat Fire nightshift sleeps daily in Sisters
By Susan Cobb Correspondent
Hundreds of night-shift fire emergency personnel attending to the Flat Fire got well-deserved and highly necessary sleep during the day in the Sisters Park and Recreation Department’s (SPRD) community building.
A mom and her daughter, Lilly, live in Whychus Canyon Estates. They came to SPRD facility on East Cascade Avenue to thank all the emergency people working on the Flat Fire. They had recently evacuated to Sisters in response to a Level 3 reverse call — Level 1 Ready, Level 2 Set, Level 3 Go. They arrived and took a photo of Lilly in front of one of the emergency vehicles parked on the avenue, to be submitted to The Nugget. Lilly’s mom was pleased to have this reporter take another (see photo) to share Lilly’s appreciation publicly.
There are approximately 75 emergency vehicles parked on East Cascade Avenue in front, and in the lot, of SPRD’s building. A stroll amid these vehicles indicates the breadth of support Sisters Country has from across the state of Oregon and from tribal nations. The parked fire department emergency vehicles of every size, purpose, and color, clearly display their places of origin on the sides or doors.There were
emergency resources from (to name a few); Portland, Forest Grove, McMinnville, Dundee, Tualatin Valley, Lebanon, Keizer, The Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde, Stayton, Mt. Angel, Southwestern Polk County, Polk County, Eugene/Springfield, Carlton, Sheridan, City of Dalles, Amity, and Hillsboro.
The Nugget asked a few employees, Lieutenant Tommy Dang, Firefighter Chris Zorn, and Captain James Sheely, who were outside near their Portland Fire Department vehicle, why the Flat Fire containment percent remained at zero on Sunday. Captain Sheely shared that the fire containment lines are drawn to define the edges of a fire. The containment percentage does not begin to be reported until after 24 hours from the time any number of containment lines are challenged.
There are direct and indirect firelines for containment. Direct fire lines are built at a fire’s edge. This is very effective for brush fires during weather of little wind and some humidity. Indirect firelines are built a safe distance from the edge of a fire of height (forests, structures) or extensive heat as associated with inclement weather — too windy, hot, and/or dry.
Firelines will vary in length and width depending on environmental and atmospheric conditions (strong winds require wider lines).
Containment lines are manmade breaks in fire fuels or natural breaks — rivers, highways, sandy terrain, etc. When fire-lines are manmade, they are built with hand-tools or bulldozers or both.
From several comments made by the firefighters outside the SPRD building, appreciation of their help is being expressed by many in Sisters Country. Some bring
cookies, some deliver coffee, individuals and officials write, call, or wave, mouthing “thank you,” as emergency vehicles go to and from the fire zones,
and many say it face-toface, as The Nugget did on Sunday, August 24: “Thank you, for all you are doing to keep us and yourselves safe.”
Lilly was evacuated from her home. She was happy to have a chance to show appreciation to firefighters.
PHOTO BY SUSAN COBB
Roundabout SISTERS
Bartlett Columnist
Sisters rallies in face of fire
It’s a mixed bag of emotions and reactions as I travel roundabout Sisters. Folks are trying to put on a good face, and often succeeding, while others are mired in anxiety. Suddenly not all is well in our ordinarily idyllic patch.
The sight of hundreds of pieces of fire equipment rolling through town is at once ominous and gratifying. Seeing them all parked in neat rows at the Community Center provokes an immediate change in heart rate.
I slid in to see if I could grab a photo of exhausted fire fighters bunched up on the old gym floor. The lights were out and all that could be heard was faint snoring. Bodies were in every position of rest on nothing more than sleeping bags, not even a field cot.
It was sacred space, and I was not going to disturb it. I just watched in awe and appreciation. They were from nearly two dozen of Oregon’s 36 counties. Transported on every manner of firepower — pumpers, brush trucks, command wagons, water tenders, heavy rescue.
Damn, I thought. What’s anybody worried about?
Over at the Rodeo grounds, hundreds more of the 800-plus strong fighting
force are fending off fatigue. It’s also hot out there.
It’s an air war in large part with two large tankers, eight single-engine tankers, and five type one helicopters. I met the “air boss” Saturday at Sisters Eagle Airport and helped the pilot of the chopper deal with cranky fuel nozzles as she tried to refuel.
The 800 don’t lack for food but they still want their favorite caffeine-boosted drinks and energy snacks, so they are packing Ray’s, Bi-Mart, and Dollar General, stripping their shelves. At McDonald’s the lines are epic and many of those waiting are cranky about the wait. They’re driving through and don’t know about the fire.
Once informed, they lower their head. “Oh. Sorry.”
A few eateries have closed “due to the smoke” and that hasn’t set well with a lot of folks especially those forced from their homes and needing to eat. Restaurants remaining open are jammed. And many, like Three Creeks Brewery, offer (overtly or discreetly) discounts of up to 50% for firefighters and evacuees.
I asked one server if she was worried that somebody may take advantage of that kindness.
“That wouldn’t happen here,” she said. “That’s not the Sisters way.”
While most are eating indoors, patio diners are still in force as if giving a poke into the eye of the fire. “Not today, fire. Not in Sisters.”
The shops? Not so much. There are a good number of the usual tourist strollers, but an eerie spell hangs over the town. Traffic is down. Sales too. A few stores closed as their owners themselves living in Sisters were under evacuation notice and needed to deal with matters at home.
The Saturday Kiwanis Luau happened. The Friday
night Village Green movie didn’t. The Sunday Farmers Market didn’t. Bummer for the many who were hoping for a continuation of normalcy when all around them it was abnormal.
The splash pad kept the kids frolicking as did the play structures at Village Green and Cliff Clemens Park. Parents are coping bravely with their children’s palpable anxiety occasionally turning smoky skies into storybook tales.
In true fashion the town rallied in support of the dis placed and its protectors. Sisters Athletic Club opened its shower facilities to all, no questions asked. Luckey’s Woodsman is offering free food to evacuees. Churches are throwing their doors open. The list is too long to mention everybody.
on loan from Portland. “I’m dirty, sweaty, stinky and they just come up and throw their arms around me and say thank you — over and over,” he told me as he came off shift.
Sisters Business Association is thinking of how to get posters in their windows — “Thank you, firefighters.” The kids in town beat them to it with a score of handmade signs
adorning the fence at the School Administration Building, easily visible to motorists circling the roundabout.
That’s how it was as of Sunday night. A town with spontaneous generosity and gratitude living with hope, battling fear. And somehow, magically, there was no longer talk of roundabout art.
Well done, Sisters. Stay strong.
It’s the reaction to the firefighters that chokes you up.
“Folks just come up and hug me,” said Ryan Belmont
Bill
All over Sisters, signs popped up expressing the community’s gratitude to firefighters.
PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT
Author shares culinary journey
George Sorensen will present his memoir “Hot Dish Confidential: That Year My Friends Taught Me To Cook” at Paulina Springs Books on Thursday, August 28, at 6:30 p.m. Sorensen’s book takes readers on an unforgettable journey of flavor, camaraderie, and adventure. Sorensen will also be at the bookstore during the day to connect and visit with people about the book.
George wants to learn how to cook. Not just cook, but to prepare a truly great meal. He recruits a group of amateur gourmets to come to his little Minneapolis bungalow, prepare a meal together, and show him the ropes. George embarks on a year-long gastronomic journey from goose to rattlesnake. He samples the delights of wild mushrooms, the flavors of the oceans, and a Charles Dickens Christmas with a mouthwatering pheasant pie. Along the way there will be wine, lots of wine. Readers join George on a culinary journey that will transform your taste buds and ignite your passion for cooking.
George Sorensen has written books about freelance writing and a history of an Army unit in Montana who tried to replace the horse with the bicycle titled “Iron Riders.” For years, he wrote marketing communications and documentation for 3M, Nike, Boeing, and other companies. He helped launch new products to market including Post-it Notes and worked with NASA on the Mars Program. Now he writes novels and non-fiction books. George lives in the Pacific Northwest.
Paulina Springs Books is located at 252 W. Hood Ave.
LETTERS
Continued from page 2
To the Editor:
Fifi celebration
As I fast approach my 75th year of living on this earth, I have found myself reflecting on the last several years and the path that has taken me to where I’m at today. I muse over my last editorial as editor of the university’s quarterly magazine where I wrote that I was leaving the university to get a “real” education — the education of life.
Now, nearly 54 years later, I see how my path today has been determined by where my life has taken me. It will be 32 years come February that my 16-year-old son had kidney failure and was not going to make it through the night. “He is going to die,” were the words I heard. Thus, I started my journey of Organ Donor Awareness.
My son Brian pulled through that night but the journey had just begun with many life and death problems since then. With support from the community and beyond I was able to give him my kidney, the transplant was successful but, unfortunately, he lost it ironically at the transplant games a few years later and went back on dialysis. Then, May 3, 2003, he was taken to the hospital and put in an ICU where his heart stopped for close to 15 minutes. It was six weeks in the hospital where he got down to 65 pounds and was fighting infections and more.
Finally, at 25 years old, he was ready to be released from the hospital — to an adult nursing home due to severe shortterm memory loss. I refused. He didn’t belong in a nursing home, I said. In the decade since, I foster-parented my twoyear-old granddaughter for a couple of years, got burned out of my house, fought breast cancer, lost a friend and co-worker in an accident, and got rammed by a drunk, uninsured woman, causing medical problems. Through this whole time, being self-employed, I had responsibilities with my two businesses. But I would not let my life problems deter me from the path I was on. I had to make something good of this 32-year journey. Nineteen people die every day for lack of an organ. I want to change that number.
Starting August 30, I’ll be hosting a fundraiser and celebration of life — of mine, of Brian’s, and of all the lives that can be saved by organ donation. Celebrate my 75th birthday at 572 S. Fir St. and learn about my nonprofit, Continue Love,
Continue Life: the Organ Donor Awareness Project. There will be birthday cake on Sunday, August 31, music, and a fundraising sale of many useful and unique items all weekend. Come help make this journey into a cause worth fighting for: organ donation awareness.
Norma (Fifi) Bailey (aka Brian’s mom)
s s s
Dogs on trails
To the Editor:
I love our local trails. I run, hike, ski, and ride horses here. What I do not love is the growing trend of people using aggressive dogs as a stand-in for personal safety. It is not good behavior, it is reckless and negligent. On a recent run my husband was circled and barked at by an off-leash dog, when the dog ran back the owner praised it. Last winter at Three Creeks Sno Park, while we were cross-country skiing, a dog turned around and bit him on the back of the thigh. No apology, no accountability, the woman kept snowshoeing.
This is sadly not rare. On most of our hikes we meet women letting their uncontrolled dog act as a space buffer. Forcing others off the trail, then insisting the dog is “nice” while it postures with tail up and hackles raised. If you praise your dog for lunging at strangers, you are the problem, not the solution. That is not kindness to your dog or your neighbors. I get it. I am a woman, I have had bad experiences on trails, and I lawfully open carry when I am out, because my safety is my responsibility. I do not put it on an ill-trained pet and pretend I am safe. An untrained dog is not protection, it is a liability that turns shared trails into a conflict zone and increases the chance your dog will be the one who pays for your poor choices. Leash laws exist for a reason. If your dog is off-leash, recall must be perfect, every time. If it is not, use a leash. When you meet others, step aside, bring your dog close, and let people pass. Read the signals and act before your dog rushes people on the trail barking or acting aggressive, not after. If their tail is straight up, ears forward, raised hackles, stiff posture, hard barking, those are warnings, not greetings.
Bites get reported, and owners are held responsible. None of us want that, least of all your dog who will be euthanized
See LETTERS on page 20
George Sorensen will share his culinary journey at Paulina Springs Books in Sisters on Thursday.
Whychus Canyon Estates subdivision north of Sisters escaped destruction, thanks to well-prepared neighborhood and heroic firefighting efforts.
Jeff Johnson, a retired fire chief who lives in the area, told The Nugget that air tankers did a remarkable job dropping retardant along the canyon rim with extraordinary precision to prevent the fire from coming out of Whychus Canyon into the subdivision.
“The structural protection was incredibly good,” he said. “It was the air attack that saved those houses.”
A resident of Whychus Canyon Estates, expressing gratitude that her home of more than two decades was safe, noted that the neighborhood has worked very hard over many years to make itself as fire safe as possible.
That kind of preparation is important — it has to get done either in advance or under crisis. Incident Command Team Public Information Officer Gert Zoutendijk told The Nugget that “point protection” fire crews engage in emergency “prep” of properties, including moving wood piles, trimming brush, and will “cut down trees if we have to.”
“It may be as simple as pine needles, moving them away from the house,” he said.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Sunday that there were four residential structures destroyed, and one damaged. Six non-residential structures were lost and one damaged. Those losses are significant, but the community is aware that losses could have been much more extensive. There were many extraordinary “saves” of properties that were in the path of destruction.
While many homes were saved, the damage to the landscape and habitat, particularly in Whychus Creek Canyon, is extensive. Fire burned with great intensity through narrow portions of the canyon, producing an eerie orange glow on the horizon seen by many across Sisters Country Saturday night.
The fire laid down substantially overnight on Saturday, and while there was new growth to the north and west on Sunday, Operation Section Chief Eric Perkins with Incident Management Team 3 said on Monday morning that, “we’re starting to get a handle on this fire.” He reported that the team had stopped forward progression
of the fire toward structures in the Sisters area. The fire was listed as five percent contained at 21,971 acres.
Some areas of Sisters got rain on Monday.
The Sisters community felt the impact of the fire. Many events and activities were canceled due to smoke, concerns for evacuees, and a general need to focus on response to the fire. Some, like the Sisters Kiwanis Luau, went on in a modified format (see story, page 3).
Sunday’s Farmers Market was among the events canceled.
Sisters Farmers Market manager Willa Bauman reported that at least a dozen regular, Sisters-local vendors had been evacuated, along with several board members for the market’s parent organization, Seed to Table.
“Before we decided to cancel, we were preparing to move vendors inside the building,” she said. Market staff got masks, misters, and information ready to hand out.
“We are able to mitigate
conditions,” she explained, due in part to a Climate Resiliency grant from Oregon Farmers Markets Association. “However when there’s a fire that’s threatening the community, with smoke over 300 (air quality index), we have to close.”
She hopes next Sunday’s market will be open.
Seed to Table provided free food to people impacted by the fire, as many Sisters eateries provided free or discounted meals to firefighters and evacuees; Sisters Athletic Club made their showers available; and hundreds of individuals and families opened their homes to evacuees and their corrals
and paddocks to their horses. (See Roundabout Sisters, page 5).
The response is considered by many in the community as emblematic of “the Sisters Way.”
(For daily coverage visit www.nuggetnews. com and follow The Nugget Newspaper on Facebook.)
The Sisters
PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT
The Flat Fire loomed dangerously to the northeast of Sisters — and the community felt the impact.
PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT
BOOK FEST: Authors eager to interact with readers
Continued from page 1
The Nugget interviewed Ramsey just before the Flat Fire erupted north of Sisters and marched south to put the community in danger. It’s an increasingly common scenario in the American West.
“We all just live with fire every summer,” Ramsey reflected.
Ramsey’s wildland firefighting career was in parallel with a long-time urge to write.
“I wrote my first short story when I was 12,” she said.
A poetry-writing workshop during college cemented her determination to follow her muse.
“I thought, ‘this is what I’m going to do — I’m going to be a poet. That best-paying of professions.’”
Ramsey moved to Northern California, where she worked for the U.S. Forest Service as a trail maintenance worker, wilderness ranger, and wildland firefighter on a hotshot crew. Hotshots are highly trained wildfire ground crews who respond to high priority fires. They are considered an elite among firefighters.
“There’s a lot of pride in a job well done, and doing something important and meaningful,” Ramsey said.
Despite the satisfaction of the work, Ramsey left firefighting to pursue family life and writing.
“There’s a way in which I’m really sad that I got out, and a part of me that’s relieved,” she said.
Ramsey said that she has thought a great deal about the role of women in the work. She said the more that women work in fire, the less they will be tokenized. She believes that their role and diversity in the makeup of firefighting organizations is important.
“It actually strengthens
organizations,” she said. “Having more female leadership makes firefighting operations more safe.”
In the wake of her success with Wildfire Days, Ramsey said she is “coaching writers to help them finish the first draft of their books — so that has been really fun.”
Ramsey will offer a reading presentation at Sisters Movie House, 2:15 to 3:05 p.m. on Saturday, September 13.
Also reading at the Movie House at that time will be Kristina McMorris, author of the historical novel “The Girls of Good Fortune.”
Portland, 1888.
Amid the subterranean labyrinth of the notorious Shanghai Tunnels, a woman awakens in an underground cell, drugged and disguised. Celia soon realizes she’s a “shanghaied” victim on the verge of being shipped off as forced labor, leaving behind those she loves most.
Although well accustomed to adapting for survival — being half-Chinese, passing as white during an era fraught with anti-Chinese sentiment — she fears that far more than her own fate lay at stake.
As she pieces together the twisting path that led to her abduction, from serving as a maid for the family of a dubious mayor to becoming entwined in the case of a goldminers’ massacre, revelations emerge of a child left in peril. Desperate, Celia must find a way to escape and return to a place where unearthed secrets can prove even more deadly than the dark recesses of Chinatown.
McMorris’ presentation will focus on the historical background of her novel; the audience won’t have to have read the book to get a lot out of the presentation — and readers will get deeper insight into the historical context.
“I share things you won’t necessarily get from the page,” McMorris said.
McMorris told The Nugget that she got the germ of the idea for the story after a friend told her about a ghost-hunting
show on TV that talked about the Shanghai Tunnels in Portland.
“I was largely raised in the Portland area, so you would have thought I’d at least have heard of the Shanghai Tunnels at some point,” she said.
The fact that she hadn’t is indicative of the hidden nature of this dark history of a city that was once a dangerous and deeply corrupt port town of the Wild West.
“From there, I went down a research rabbit hole,” McMorris said.
A sailor who was “shanghaied” might be drugged or clouted in a Portland bar, wake up on a ship at sea, and be given a choice — to serve aboard in the China trade, or...
McMorris acknowledged that the subject matter of her work tends to be dark episodes that are swept under the rug.
“I do like shining a spotlight on pieces of history that we should know,” she said. However, she noted, “through those dark elements, there’s always hope and growth.”
McMorris’ love of history combines with a cinematic bent in her writing.
“For me, storytelling is very visual in my mind,” she said. “I do my best to convey the movie in my head on the pages of a book.”
McMorris loves interacting with readers and is looking forward to doing so at the Sisters Festival of Books. She frequently connects with book clubs through Zoom. She is looking forward to participating in the author dinner that has become an anticipated element of Sisters Festival of Books — especially since “The Girls of Good Fortune” includes themed recipes.
Sisters Festival of Books kicks off on Friday, September 12, with a Story Slam at The Belfry and a publishing workshop at Slow Down State. It continues with author presentations and more on Saturday, September 13. For tickets and more information, visit https://www. sistersfob.org.
Jonathan Bach — “High Desert, Higher Costs”
Peter Cavanagh — “How Birds Fly”
Alison Jean Cole — “A Rockhound’s Guide to Oregon and Washington”
Meag Diamond — “Chispas”
Sylvia Fox — “Little Fish”
Anne Graham — “Tall Annie”
Kate Hamberger — “Dances with Fire”
Justin Hocking — “A Field Guide to the Subterranean”
DJ Jones — “The Antagonist’s Prison”
Sharon Karr — “Around Sisters”
Jane Kirkpatrick — “Across the Crying Sands”
Jane Kurtz — “Oh, Give Me a Home”
Caroline Kurtz — “Walking the Tideline”
LeeAnn Kriegh — “Nature of Bend”
Gigi Little — “Who Killed One the Gun”
Maxim Loskutoff — “Old King”
Kristina McMorris — “The Girls of Good Fortune”
Moriah McDill — “Bend ABC’s”
Meg Muldoon — “Murder in Christmas River”
Kimberly King Parsons — “We Were the Universe”
Kelly Ramsey — “Wildfire Days”
Jon Raymond — “God and Sex”
RG Shore — “The Ocean Inside Me”
Laura Stanfill — “Imagine a Door”
Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. — “The El”
Chris Vega — “Decay: Poems”
Glenn Voelz — “The Civilian Conservation Corps in Oregon”
Phoebe Wahl — “Little Witch Hazel”
Daniel H. Wilson —“Hole in the Sky”
Beth Wood — “My Name is Another Word”
Target shooters warned of potential for wildfire risk
In the wake of multiple fires in Tillamook forests traced to target shooting, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is reminding shooters of some precautions to avoid sparking wildfire.
In a press release, ODF stated that there is a long list of state forest shooting regulations and simplified dos and don’ts while target shooting that are good to follow for any area of the state.
“The two most pressing problems are people bringing out and shooting exploding targets and shooting into stumps, logs, or other debris,” said forester Stephanie Beall.
Exploding targets are banned year-round in all of Oregon’s state forests. Materials such as Tannerite can scatter hot debris in a large area quickly igniting dry fuels. But it’s not only exploding targets that are a concern. The hot lead of regular rounds that hits stumps and other natural backstops or targets can smolder for hours, leading to fire starts long after the shooter has left the area. To minimize this hazard, shooters should not put targets on or in front of
logs, stumps, or grassy areas.
“People are required to use manufactured targets on all state forests, with the exception being paper targets printed at home,” said Ben Burns, ODF’s recreation operations manager. “Do not place targets on live trees, stumps, logs, or in any dry brushy areas.”
While ODF was speaking to state forests, the same precautions apply on national forest lands surrounding Sisters.
Most target shooters in Sisters Country utilize cinder pits that are very safe areas to shoot, offering good backstops and minimal vegetation. Exploding targets are banned there, too, though, and shooters are expected to take the same precautions regarding shooting into trees and stumps in surrounding areas.
People who are shooting out in the woods should exercise extreme caution, not only with their shooting, but in where and how they park
in dry, grassy areas.
Anyone using a vehicle in state forests during the regulated use portion of fire season must have a shovel and either a gallon of water or a 2.5-pound (or larger) fire
THE TRANSLATION
extinguisher in that vehicle.
“As someone who enjoys target shooting, I keep fire in mind as part of shooting safety,” said Beall. “I buy manufactured targets, lay down a tarp to catch my
brass, and check the area for garbage when I’m done.
“Every year 70 percent or more of our wildland fires are started by people—all of those are preventable,” said Beall.
SISTERS LIBRARY EVENTS
Tea and Book Pairin g: Taste a variet y of summer teas that match up with new books. Registration required. ursday, Aug. 28, 1 p.m. at Suttle Tea, 450 E. Cascade Ave., Sist ers
Camp Kinder: Campthem ed activiti es, crafts and games to supp ort learning ursdays, Aug. 28, 1:30p.m.
Zines for Kids: Create your own zine at the library
Friday, Aug. 29, 11 a.m.
Child Abuse: Signs, Symptoms, and Prevention with KIDS
Center : Learn ab out the di erent types of child abus e and signs to re cognize them. Re gistration required. Tuesday, Sept . 2, 5:30 p.m.
Ar t Supply and Puzzle
Swap: Bring puzzles or art supplies and swap them for s omething new-to-you. Free. Fun way to give old supplies or puzzles a new home. Library Community Ro om, Saturday, Sept .. 6, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Snail Mail Society: Learn how to write a letter and get your own pen pal. Tuesday, Sept . 9, 4 p.m. Android Essentials: Discover how to use your Android device with ea se Registration required. Friday Sept . 12, 1 p.m.
Online: Stor y Times: Find dozens of stor y times for kids , on the library YouTub e channel: dpl.pub/ stor ytime.
Sisters High Desert
Chorale Welcomes New Singers
Come sing with us this fall as we prepare for our holiday concer ts in December We are a funloving communit y mixe d chorus that meets at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Sisters weekly on Mond ay evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Our first rehearsal is September 8. No audition is required . For more information, cont act Carol Lisek at carolshdc@gmail.com.
A NNOUNCEMENT S
Friends of the Metolius Interpretive Walk s:
Camp Sherman Histor y. Sunday, August 31, 9 to 11 a.m.
e Camp Sherman communit y may look unchange d from the last few de cades, but it has a dynamic histor y. Some of the former points of interest along the trail we will follow from the Camp Sherman bridge to the Communit y Hall include a dair y farm, a tavern, a salmon hatchery, and much more Leaders: Scott Blau, Linda Gustaf son. For info call 541-5956439, 503-730-8034.
Honey Bees & Brews
Plea se join us for our monthly social gathering at e Barn on ursday, August 28 , at 5 p.m. All beekeepers and wanabees welcome. Contact Clyde for more information at 458-20 68470
Historic al Walking Tours
Learn about Sisters’ fascinating histor y during an ea sy-going morning walking tour ree Sisters Historical Societ y o ers two di erent docent-led walk s: the Downtown Landmarks Tour and the Heritage Home Tour Tours are free, start at 10 a.m., distance is less than a mile and they la st approximately one hour. Pre-registration required at least 24 hours prior through Eventbrite.com, or call 541549-14 03 Landmark Tours are on Sunday 9/7, and u. 9/25 Heritage Home Tour takes place Saturday 9/6. Learn about the histor y of some of our buildings and hear fun stories about the businesses and the interesting people who occupied them
Volunteer at Si sters Habitat for Humanity
Help us build hope and homes in Sisters, connect with new people, make friends, and make a di erence in our communit y. Volunteer today! Learn more at www.sistershabitat.org/ volunteer or call 541-549-1193
Weekly Communit y Meditation: Mondays 5:30 -6:30 p.m.; no charge. Ten minutes of st retching and breathwork , followed by a 20 -minute guided meditation session and a 20 -minute silent meditation session. Inspire Dance and Fitness Studio, 592 N. Sisters Park Ct ., Ste. B. Info: Bonnie Rose, 541-30 6-3320
Auditions for Silent Echo eater Auditions for Silent Echo eater Company’s Holiday One-Acts will take place September 7 at e 1687 Foundation, 26 0 E Sun Ranch Dr and September 8 at Sisters Communit y Church, 1300 McKenzie Hw y from 7 to 9 p.m. Actors 14 and older are encour aged to audition. No preparation is required . Sides will be provided the night of auditions. Performances will take place November 1316 at Sisters Middle School For more information email silentechotheatercompany@ gmail.com or call Marla at 310710-2874
New community work space
Citizens4Community (C4C) has opened a communit y work space at 291 E. Main Ave. (next to Fir Street Park). " e Hub" o ers donation-based coworking, meeting space, a shared kitchen, nonprofit resources, rotating ar t displays , and more. Oper ating hours are Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Information: https:// citizens4community.com/hub.
Camp Sherman Pancake Breakfast . Bring your family and friends to a traditional Pancake Breakfast at the Camp Sherman Communit y Hall Sunday, August 31st, 8:00 am to 11:0 0 am. Enjoy all-you- can-eat ham, eggs , pancakes , orange juice and co ee. Adults $12. 00 ; children 5 to 10 years $8 .0 0, under 5 free. Proceeds benefit Camp Sherman Historical Societ y and Friends of the Metolius
Transfigure Yourself New free chair fitness class for mature adults and individuals with limite d mobility. Increase balance flexibilit y and streng th all set to lively fun music. Tuesdays - 9:45 am to 10 :15 am All are welcomed. Episcopal Church of Transfiguration 121 N Books Camp Road 541-549-70 87
Family Fun Bingo Ni ght
You are invited to the First Friday Family Fun Bingo Night on Friday, Sept 5, held at e Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, Sisters. Participation suppor ts the local communit y and is a fun way to meet new friends. Our menu features Pulled Pork Sandwiches and Veggie Wrap Meal Deal options beginning at 5: 00 p.m. Marionberry Cobbler ala mode for dessert in Sept and Oct. ree sizes of frozen cobblers will be available for purchase, plus a limited number of Marionberry Jam. Games begin at 5:30 p.m. $20 packet includes three cards for each of 10 games and one additional card for the blackout game. Great Bingo prizes of cash and local merchant gift cards awarded at the end of each game. Win-Win Ra e option tickets $2 each or 6 for $10. is month the Ra e proceeds will be split half for the winner and half for Bethlehem Inn, serving the local communit y for 25 year s.
Open Studio at PMRCAA ursday, August 28 , 4– 6 p.m. Open Studio of the 2025 residenc y season at Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Ar ts & Agriculture! Presenters for this event include Weaver Sylvia Friday, Sculptor Hilary Pfeifer and Multimedia Ar tist Jayne Struble. is event is free and open to the public. Space is limited so registration is required at https://roundhousefoundation org/open-studios/openstudio-15/. For info call 5419 04- 0700 or em ail inquiries@ roundhousefoundation.org e address for this event is: Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture, 684 67 ree Creeks Rd ., Sisters.
Sisters Communit y Garden Recycle your pl astic plant pots! Sisters Communit y Garden needs your empt y 2–20 gallon pots to begin moving their garden plants . Drop them o at 15860 Barclay before Sept 15
Free Pet Food Budget tight this month, but you still need pet food for your dog or cat? Call the Furr y Friends pet food bank at 541-797-4023 to schedule your pickup. Pickups available ursdays, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Located at 412 E. Main Ave., Ste. 4, behind e Nug get
comfor t with his sweet nature. A perfect companion for anyone seeking a br ave, curiou s, and a ectionate friend Adopt Mocha today and bring home endles s joy and play ful companionship!
SISTER S- AR EA C HURCH ES
Baha’i Faith For information, devotion s, study groups , etc. , cont ac t Shauna Rocha 541- 647-9826 • www.bahai.org www.bahai.us • www.bahaiteaching s.org
Chapel in the Pine s Camp Sher man • 541-815-9153
10 a.m. Sunday Worship
e Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
452 Trinit y Way • Branch President, 541-977-5559;
10 a.m. Sunday Sacrament Meeting
e Episcopal Church of the Tr ansfiguration 121 N Brooks Camp Rd . • 541-549-7087 www.transfiguration-sisters.org
8:30 a.m. Ecumenical Sunday Worship
10 :15 a.m. Episcopal Sund ay Worship
e Resting Place meeting at Sisters Communit y Church, 1300 W. McKenzie Hw y. www.restingplace.us • hello@restingplace.us
5 p.m. Sunday Worship
Seventh-Day Adventist Church 541-815-9848
11 a.m. Saturday Worship
Shepherd of the Hills Luther an Church (ELCA)
386 N. Fir St. • 541-549-5831
www.shepherdof thehillsluther anchurch.com
10 a.m. Sunday Worship
Sisters Church of the Nazarene 67130 Harrington Loop Rd . • 541-389-8960
www.sistersna z.org • info @sistersna z.org
10 a.m. Sunday Worship
Sisters Communit y Church (nondenominational)
1300 W. McKenzie Hw y. • 541-549-1201
www.sisterschurch.com • info@sisterschurch.com
7:30 a.m. Daybreak Service • 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship
St . Edward the Mart yr Roman Catholic Church 123 Trinit y
e Wednesday Bible Study Home Church (nondenominational) Call for time and location
Seeking the perfect bean
BY JIM CORNELIUS
Khylon Brooks didn’t know anything about coffee when he signed on at Sisters Coffee Co. three years ago. He just knew it seemed like a place where he wanted to be.
“They made me a coffee person, that’s for sure,” he said.
When Brooks says he’s a coffee person, that means he appreciates a good cup of coffee — because he knows intimately the precision that goes into making that happen. He’s the assistant production manager at Sisters Coffee Co.’s state-of-the art roasting facility in the Sisters industrial park.
“Roasting is basically very accurate baking,” Brooks explained.
It requires understanding the potential of the bean — its flavor profile and how to bring out the best in it without overdoing its characteristics. It is done with time and temperature. It’s both science and art.
“We’re always trying to get to the ceiling [of a bean’s potential], basically,” he said.
Brooks recognizes that
E vents & Ent er tainment Events
he is privileged to work with a 45-kilo Probat G45 roaster — a piece of Germanengineered equipment that co-owner Justin Durham described as the MercedesBenz of roasters.
Additional roasting capacity was required as Sisters Coffee has expanded its retail and wholesale operations.
Brooks came to Sisters from California at the behest of his mother.
“After COVID, I ended up following her out here for the heck of it,” he said. “With no direction.”
When he landed at Sisters Coffee Co., he felt inspired by the leadership and immediately came to love the place and its people.
“I love this company to death,” he said. “It would be very hard to replace them in my life.”
The precision of the work itself appealed to his temperament.
“I’m a very logicalminded person, and I enjoy completing tasks,” he said.
Durham, himself an active player and coach. There is a hoop in the parking lot, and the two play together often.
“What other job can I play basketball with my boss on a weekly basis?” he said.
Brooks is an avid basketball player — which is a point of commonality with
WEDNESDAY • AUGUST 27
The Barn Live Music: Vibeshiftas
6 to 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage. Info: www thebarninsisters.com.
Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em, 21+, 5:30 p.m.–close, upstairs. $50 buy-in, freezeout.
THURSDAY • AUGUST 28
The Suttle Lodge Live Music: Skillethead Benji Nagel showcases his talented friends every Thursday 6 to 8 p .m. Free Info: www thesuttlelodge.com. Paulina Springs Books Author reading: George Sorensen presents "Hot Dish Confidential:" That Year My Friends Taught me to Cook," 6:30 p.m. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
The Barn Live Music: In the Rounds 6 to 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage. Info: www thebarninsisters.com.
Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Trivia Night 12th annual family-friendly trivia. Free 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Sign up at 5:30 Info: call 541-549-2471
Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards Live Music:
Heller Highwater Band 5 to 8 p.m. Advanced tickets required: www.faithhopeandcharityevents.com/eventcenter
FRIDAY • AUGUST 29
Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards Live Music: Pete Kar tsounes 6 to 9 p.m. Advanced tickets required: www.faithhopeandcharityevents.com/event-center
Brooks also enjoys living in Sisters, attending concerts and hiking and paddle boarding and skiing.
Holistic Mental Health Solutions Medication Management
Psychotherapy • Functional Medicine
Events & Enter tainment
In-Person & Virtual Sessions Available
Audr y Van Houweling PMHNP-BC
541-595-8337 • www.shesoarspsyc h.com
Offices in Sisters & Silverton
FRIDAY • AUGUST 29 (cont.)
Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke with Gaby 8 p.m. to midnight. Information call 541-549-6114.
SATURDAY • AUGUST 30
The Yard at Hardtails Live Music: Valhalla Led Zeppelin tribute band, 8 p.m. Tickets, $20 at BendTicket.com.
Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture "Intermediate Fiber Workshop: Sew and Apron with Naturally Dyed Fabric" with Madelaine Corbin. Two-day workshop August 30–31, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration: roundhousefoundation.org/events.
The Barn Live Music: Sam Weber 6 to 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage. Info: www thebarninsisters.com.
Eurosports Food Cart Garden Spontaneous Car Show 5-7 p.m. Family- and dog-friendly Bring your cool car to display, or just come look — different every week. Free Info: 541-549-2471
Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards Live Music: The Cider Janes 6 to 9 p.m. Advanced tickets required: www.faithhopeandcharityevents.com/event-center
MONDAY • SEPT. 1
Paulina Springs Books Poetr y Gathering "The Pause Button," an informal monthly gathering for poets and poetry enthusiasts Bring a poem or two to share. Listen, discuss, and write. Free 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. More info at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.
The Suttle Lodge Live Music: Noah Kite "Big Lawn Series," 6 to 8 p.m. Free; all ages
WEDNESDAY • SEPT. 3
The Barn Live Music: Oregon Fr yer 6 to 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage. Info: www thebarninsisters.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).
THURSDAY • SEPT. 4
Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Trivia Night 12th annual family-friendly trivia. Free 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Sign up at 5:30 Info: call 541-549-2471
Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards Live Music: Kurt Silva 5 to 8 p.m. Advanced tickets required: www faithhopeandcharityevents.com/event-center
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Venardos Circus 7 p.m. Broadway-style, animal-free circus under the big top. Tickets: www.venardoscircus.com.
FRIDAY • SEPT. 5
Sisters High School Sports Field Starshine Stargazing Tour 8:15 to 9:30 p.m. Enjoy the brilliance of Central Oregon's incredible night sky together with a local naturalist and educator. You'll hear an ancient story about the stars, locate constellations, and see visible planets, the moon, and other astronomical objects through a 6" telescope Tickets and info: starshine-theater.com/sisters-stargazing
Eurosports Food Cart Garden Live Music: Bob Baker & Mark Barringer 5-7 p.m. Free Family- and dog-friendly Info: 541-549-2471
SUNDAY • AUGUST 31
Sisters Saloon Live Music: Honey Don’t 6 to 8 p.m. on the patio Free and open to all ages
Fir Street Park Sisters Farmers Market
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors, music, community booth, kids activities. Info: www.sistersfarmersmarket.com.
Paulina Springs Books Sunday Scrabble
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Play Scrabble socialize, and drink coffee. Info: www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.
Episcopal Church of Transfiguration Family BINGO Bingo Night 5 p.m. 10 games/3 cards each for $20, prizes, $10 dinner, plus Marionberry cobbler and jam available for purchase, 50/50 raffle to benefit Bethlehem Inn. 121 N. Brooks Camp Rd., Sisters Eurosports Food Cart Garden Live Music: Gypsy Travellers 5-7 p.m. Free Family- and dog-friendly Info: 541-549-2471 Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
Khylon Brooks works in the Sisters Coffee Co. roastery, seeking to bring out the best in every bean.
Sisters native launches ‘mini-spa’
Chloe Frazee may just have been fated to open a salon in Sisters.
Frazee has deep roots in Sisters — her grandfather Gary was the city’s public works director for many years, and her mother Deri has operated a hair salon for many years. Chloe didn’t really set out to open her own place, but she was drawn into it nonetheless.
“I always wanted to make people feel good, and have confidence in themselves,” she said. “And I love my eyelashes! I wanted to do that for people.”
Frazee opened Cedar Studio Skin Care and Beauty at 272 S. Cedar St. in Sisters this year.
“We’re a mini-spa, basically,” she told The Nugget.
Cedar Studio has two estheticians, a nail tech, and a tattoo artist. They offer waxing, lash extensions, spray tans, brow laminations, lash tints, mani-pedis, and tattooing.
“It’s pretty awesome,” Frazee said. “It’s an accomplishment I never wanted to do. I wouldn’t change it. I love it.”
FRIDAY
BY JIM CORNELIUS
Part of what Frazee loves about the work is the atmosphere she has created with colleagues and clients who are also friends.
“We kind of feed off each other,” said esthetician Kohlie Walker. “We all share clients and we’re all best friends, which is so fun.”
Walker, too, got into the field because of her interest in eyelashes.
“It’s emoting I enjoy,” she said of her work. “I get to uplift other women and make them feel beautiful.”
Chloe and Kohlie have known each other since childhood — and their mothers went to high school together — which adds to the convivial atmosphere.
• SEPT. 5 (cont.)
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Venardos Circus 7 p.m. Broadway-style animal-free circus under the big top. Tickets: www.venardoscircus.com.
Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke with Gaby
8 p.m. to midnight. Information call 541-549-6114.
SATURDAY • SEPT. 6
Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards Live Music: Karissa & The Loose Screws 6 to 9 p.m. Advanced tickets required: www.faithhopeandcharityevents.com/ event-center
The Barn Live Music: The Takes 6 to 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage. Info: www thebarninsisters.com.
Eurosports Food Cart Garden Spontaneous Car Show 5-7 p.m. Family- and dog-friendly Bring your cool car to display, or just come look — different every week. Free Info: 541-549-2471
Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke with Gaby 8 p.m. to midnight. Information call 541-549-6114. Deschutes County Fair & Expo Venardos Circus 2 p.m., 5 p.m. Broadway-style animal-free circus in the big top. Tickets: www.venardoscircus.com.
SUNDAY • SEPT. 7
Sisters Community Church Live Music: An Evening of Worship with Refuge part of Summer Concert Series on the lawn. 6 p.m. Free (donation to local nonprofits who provide assistance for those in need in our community, is appreciated). Bring chairs or blanket. More info at www.sisterschurch.com. Sisters Depot Courtyard Live Music: Bob Baker & Haute Melange 5 to 7 p.m. A skillfull gypsy jazz quartet ala Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grappelli. Tickets $5 at sistersdepot.com/our-events.
“We knew each other before we were created,” Walker said with a smile.
“It’s positive, highenergy in here,” Frazee said. “Relaxing, but super fun at the same time.”
“You kind of hear everybody enjoying their time here,” Walker said.
The estheticians are very happy with the Cedar Street location, which offers just the right amount of space to cultivate the kind of atmosphere they enjoy.
“It’s perfect,” Frazee said. They work by appointment and suggest booking two weeks out. Call 541-390-3252.
SUNDAY • SEPT. 7 (cont.)
House Concert Sisters in Sisters , Song Sharing in the Round with Kathy Marshall, Lilli Worona, and Sue Moore 5:30 to 8 p.m. Bring a chair, and snack or drink to share. Enjoy an evening of music surrounded by trees, plants, and flowers 69287 Lariat, Sisters Park out front; car pooling suggested.
Sisters Saloon Live Music: Skillethead 6 to 8 p.m. on the patio Free and open to all ages
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Venardos
Circus 2 p.m. 5 p.m. Broadway-style animal-free circus in the big top. Tickets: www.venardoscircus.com.
Fir Street Park Sisters Farmers Market
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors, music community booth, kids activities. Info: www.sistersfarmersmarket.com. Paulina Springs Books Sunday Scrabble
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Play Scrabble, socialize, and drink coffee. Info: www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.
WEDNESDAY • SEPT. 10
The Barn Live Music: Larkspur Stand 6– 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage. Info: www thebarninsisters.com.
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Venardos
Circus 7 p.m. Broadway-style, animal-free circus under the big top. Tickets: www.venardoscircus.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).
THURSDAY • SEPT. 11
Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards Live Music: Jonathon Foster 5 to 8 p.m. Advanced tickets required: www.faithhopeandcharityevents.com/event-center
The Barn Live Music: In the Rounds 6–8 p.m. on the outdoor stage. Info: www thebarninsisters.com. Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Trivia Night 12th annual family-friendly trivia. Free 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Sign up at 5:30 Info: call 541-549-2471
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Venardos Circus 7 p.m. Broadway-style, animal-free circus under the big top. Tickets: www.venardoscircus.com.
Building & Renovating w ith Innovative Design and Energy-Sav ing Ideas!
Our team believes quality, creativity, and sustainability matter. We want your home to be a work of art worthy of containing your life — Mike & JillDyer, Owners
541-420-8448 dyerconstructionrenovation.com
FRIDAY • SEPT. 12
Sisters Community Church baseball field Outdoor Movie: "The Sandlot" Free Gates at 6:30 p.m., movie at 7:30 Bring low-back chair or blanket. Presented by C4C and Kendall Auto. Info: www citizens4community.com/events.
Eurosports Food Cart Garden Live Music: Lilli Worona & John Shipe 5-7 p.m. Free Family- and dog-friendly Info: 541-549-2471
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Venardos Circus 7 p.m. Broadway-style, animal-free circus under the big top. Tickets: www.venardoscircus.com.
Paulina Springs Books, et al. Sisters Festival of Books A celebration of literature and storytelling — from workshops to poetry & story slams to author events and meet & greets.
Tickets and information: www.sistersfob.org.
Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke with Gaby 8 p.m. to midnight. Information call 541-549-6114.
SATURDAY • SEPT. 13
Paulina Springs Books, et al. Sisters Festival of Books A celebration of literature and storytelling — from workshops to poetry & story slams to author events and meet & greets.
Tickets and information: www.sistersfob.org.
The Barn Live Music: Double Jump 6 to 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage. Info: www thebarninsisters.com.
Paulina Springs Books Knitting Circle Bring your own project and supplies. This is not a workshop but there are experienced knitters in the group who are happy to help those just starting out. (Second Saturday.) Info: www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Venardos Circus 11 a.m., 2 p.m. 5 p.m. Broadway-style animal-free circus. Tickets: www.venardoscircus.com.
Chloe Frazee and Kohlie Walker are longtime friends as well as colleagues at Cedar Studio.
Making a successful fenceand-deck company run
BY JIM CORNELIUS
When Pat Burke launched Sisters Fence & Deck a decade ago, he did pretty much everything himself. Success has allowed him to hire a highly capable staff, which has, in turn, allowed the business to expand.
Two of Burke’s key employees are Eric Spor and Christi Davis. Spor is the company’s general manager, and Davis runs the office.
Spor and Burke have known each other all their lives. When Spor was looking to make a change from a previous job, he talked to Burke and it became apparent that there was a good role for him. In that role, Spor orders materials, runs the crews, and lays out plans for the day. Asked what the best aspect of the work is, he said, “Honestly, I like it all.”
For both Spor and Davis, the work environment is important. Davis describes the company as “team-focused; communityfocused.” That is important to both of them. They also appreciate that Burke empowers them to solve problems.
“We have a lot of opportunity to make positive change in the company,”
Davis said.
Spor’s work can be challenging, keeping everything coordinated and on schedule. Recently, tariffs have pushed the cost of materials up, which has to be explained to clients.
Davis says that Spor is exceptionally good at communicating with clients and assessing their intent and goals with a project.
“He’s really good at explaining things to customers, coming up with good ideas so [a project] meets their goals,” Davis said.
For her part, Davis keeps the office humming along, including doing estimates and serving as a in-house tech support.
“I like being the computer nerd here,” she said.
Sisters Fence & Deck operates on an ethic of local focus — buying materials locally when possible, supporting other local businesses, employing local folks at good wages. All of that means something to Spor and Davis. They also appreciate the flexibility to enjoy Central Oregon. Davis says that on her downtime, she likes to “hang out with my dog — go
hiking and kayaking.”
A lifelong avid outdoorsman, Spor is currently focused on bass fishing, participating in tournaments with his son.
Working with Sisters Fence & Deck allows them to do good work in support of their local community, while living a good life in Sisters Country.
The Nugget is committed to partnering with the Sisters business community so we all can succeed. This campaign includes expanded Sisters business verage in August and September issues of The Nugget, opportunities for print and online advertising packages at discounted rates, and an exciting new social media feed on NuggetNews.com.
r some of this work, we’re partnering with the Small Business Association here in town, which is orking to help local businesses find resources, networking and educational opportunities to help them succeed and thrive. You can connect with Sisters Business Association and support their mission at www.sistersba.com.
orking together we can build prosperity and vibrancy in our community Keep it local, and keep it strong.
Eric Spor and Christi Davis are critical to operations of Sisters Fence & Deck.
Local woman is up early to keep Sisters fed on baked goods
BY JIM CORNELIUS
Jasmine Yescas is up early almost every day, making sure that the Ray’s Food Place deli is ready to keep Sisters fed.
She’s the baker — a craft she knew nothing about when she was hired, but one she is mastering and has grown to love.
Yescas had worked as a receptionist in a doctor’s office in California before her family, which includes two young daughters and a son, moved to Sisters. In 2023, she decided she was ready to get back into the workforce and inquired at Ray’s. She was asked if she could serve as a baker, and she agreed to give it a try. It turned out that she was a natural.
“After that, I caught on to it really fast,” she said.
A baker’s hours are a
whole lot different than “bankers hours.” Yescas was getting to work at 4 a.m. to get started — but with two young daughters, she needed to push that back. So now she works a shift of either 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 5 a.m. to 2 p.m., five days a week, usually Friday through Tuesday. Unless she’s needed more.
“Whenever they need me I go in on my days off,” she said. “We’re short-staffed, but we make it work.”
That kind of work ethic — and a continually pleasant demeanor — makes Yescas a valued employee at the grocery store and deli.
Work starts as soon as she gets there.
“I turn my ovens on, then I walk the tables to see what I need to put out,” she said.
she’s advanced her
to
on the baker’s biggest challenge: cakes.
“This is my very first time doing that,’” she said.
As always, she’s up to the challenge, and finding enjoyment in the work and her customers’ satisfaction.
Jasmine’s husband Valentin works at the Coco Loco food truck at Eurosports. Outside of work, they simply focus on spending family time together.
That Spiri t is reflected in an adventurous way of life. Some of that adventure is found out in the landscape, on the trails and rivers. But adventure is also found in the creative and entrepreneurial Spiri t that shows up in local businesses, philanthropic efforts, the work of artists and musicians — even in the ood and drink we enjoy. It’s a can-do Spiri t, a Spiri t of exploration that isn’t found just anywhere. We take inspiration from the magnificence of nature — and also from the dedicated work that so many of Central Oregon’s people are involved in, from nonprofits to arts and entertainment to specialty manufacturing and unique dining. That’s the Spiri t of Central Oregon.
Lately,
skills
take
Jasmine Yescas is a baker at Ray’s Food Place.
Fika barista is coffee’s best friend
BY BILL BARTLETT
“Darned near everybody knows Steve,” say regulars, of whom there are hundreds at Fika Sisters Coffeehouse at the corner of Sun Ranch Drive and Barclay Drive. Even if they don’t know his name (hard to miss on his name badge), they recognize the face.
“I was at Bi-Mart for 10 years and did just about everything. That’s probably how most people recognize me,” he said. And true enough if you ask somebody how they know him, they’re apt to say: “You know, the Bi-Mart guy.”
His last name is Bianchi, and he hails from San Francisco. He and his wife came to Sisters to help with her dad, a victim of Alzheimer’s, who has since passed. They have five children, all adults out of the home on their own. His mom, 91, is in a care facility in Bend and they wish they could provide for her at
home, but her needs require professional assistance.
Bianchi was a regular himself at Fika until about two years ago when the owner asked if he could help on Saturdays. He thought he was retired, and a few hours on a Saturday wasn’t going to change his life much.
Now, he’s there as much as three, and occasionally four, days a week until noon when his shift ends.
Customers are happier for his presence behind the counter where he performs every task. He can run the whole show single-handedly but it’s usually too busy.
He has good natured banter with his co-workers many of whom he has trained or mentored. Likewise, he’s very at ease with customers and can meet them where they are — with a fast smile or a quizzical gaze or rapid fire satire.
He’s at once all business, keeping the line moving,
and yet can converse with any person of any age on any subject.
He knows his regulars and can usually anticipate their order. “We’re not just a neighborhood coffee shop,” Bianchi said. “We have customers who come every day from all over Sisters, one who makes the trip from Camp Sherman every morning. It’s a real community.
“It’s all about the people,” he said. “It’s the best part of my job.” Those people occasionally include some well-known to many. “Rainn Wilson from The Office, he comes in from time to time. We get some athletes people probably would know,” he says nonchalantly.
Bianchi treats them all the same. At first with
straightforward professionalism and as time goes by with increasing chat that ranges from the weather to what’s going on in customers’ lives. He hears many a personal story much as a bartender might.
His wife helps in the kitchen, baking. All Fika’s pastries are made on premise.
He seems unflappable and recalls his first week when the kitchen flooded and a handle fell off in the lavatory. That was the same day a fellow worker suddenly was absent leaving him with another relatively new co-worker.
“We figured if we could survive that, we could manage anything,” he laughed.
Bianchi, of deep Italian heritage, loves to cook and
leans naturally to Italian dishes.
Fika owner Reneé Reitmeier speaks warmly of Bianchi “Steve has supported Fika since I opened. He was one of my first customers. Every morning, he would order coffee for himself and his co-workers. He delighted us with his wit, ideas, and stories each morning. And now he works at Fika and extends that wit and storytelling to each customer.
“Since working at Fika, he has sought to find ways to grow and further the Fika mission, which has been such a gift. Loyal and supportive is how Steve is. In any environment he is in, work, family with friends, he shows up to support the people in it.”
Steve Bianchi went from a regular at Fika to a key worker at the coffee shop.
CIRCUS: Event is headed to Redmond next month
parents worked, learning the ropes and getting a feel for the circus lifestyle.
Ramos explained, “My mom is an aerialist and also did trapeze for many years ...my dad is the person who has come from a long tradition of circus performers. He’s sixth [generation] and I’m a seventh-generation circus performer.”
“It’s an honor getting to work with my mom and dad,” Ramos said. “They have so much experience and they have helped me with so many things, I’m so grateful to have them on the road with me.”
All that familial encouragement drove Ramos towards his own career in the circus, which he describes as a supportive environment where he can train and hone his craft in addition to performing.
Ramos sounds exuberant as he describes his daily training regimen.
“Everyday in the morning, I go to the circus and I do my act that I do in the show three times in a row,” he told The Nugget . “So this helps by, you know, if you can do it three times in a row, you can do it once in the show, no problem.”
Following morning rehearsal, Ramos stretches, works on anything that needs improvement, and then spends much of the afternoon drilling new tricks that he hopes to incorporate into future performances. After all of that, it’s time for a quick nap followed by getting ready for the show.
Ramos admits that it can be “a little difficult to practice to your hardest extent without wearing yourself out before the show,” but he insists that it’s necessary to make sure that the performance goes off without a hitch.
“It’s just lots of practice and discipline,” he explains.
“It’s like second nature to do your act; you already know what to do.”
All of Angel’s hard work and training is paying off. Ramos recently took second place for his performance in the American Circus Festival, a prestigious competition that gets him one step
closer to his ultimate goal of performing in the MonteCarlo Circus Festival, which he describes as “basically like the Olympics for the Circus.”
As it stands right now, Ramos is quite content performing with the Venardos Circus alongside his mom and dad and other circus performers who feel like family. Angel said that one of his favorite features of the Venardos Circus is the small size of their big top tent, which allows for greater connection with the audience. Every seat in the house is less than 20 feet from the stage.
“We could have a ginormous tent, but you know, that would lose the intimacy that the Venardos Circus has… the show definitely tries to involve the audience, to make them feel like you’re doing this with us,” he said.
Angel continues, “when you go inside [the tent] it’s like you’re
transported into a different reality. It’s like a whole different world in there.”
You can catch Angel and the rest of the Venardos Circus performers September 4-14 at the Redmond Expo
Center. The “Decade of Dreams” show celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the circus’ founding.
Tickets and more information can be found at www.venardoscircus.com.
FIRST FRIDAY FAMILY FUN FAMIL
Friday, September 5 at 5 p.m. ALL ARE INVITED! GREAT PRIZES! amp Sisters MARIONBERRY COBBLER ALA MODE FOR DESSERT! Limited Jars of “Our Famous” Marionberry Jam for Sale
at Episcopal Church of Transfiguration 121 N. Brooks Camp Road, Sisters Featuring a raffle ticket option which benefits the nonprofit
Angel Ramos — showman
PHOTO PROVIDED
Angel Ramos displays his extraordinary skills as a hand balancer.
PHOTO PROVIDED
RACE: Event was ultimately ended due to smoke
Bachelor before dropping onto some rugged terrain as runners began their descent into Sisters Country.
The course consists of 84 percent single-track trails and 13 full aid stations with single track trails and splendid panoramic views. Runners were given 32 hours to finish. The 100-mile race is a Western States qualifier race.
The Western States 100Mile Endurance Run is the world’s oldest 100-mile trail race. The Run starts in Olympic Valley, California, near the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, and ends 100.2 miles later in Auburn, California. In the decades since its inception in 1974, Western States has come to represent one of the ultimate endurance tests in the world.
Ultrarunning is on the rise. The number of ultra events in the U.S. over the years has grown from 233 to 2,033, a 772 percent increase. Ultrarunners are little understood outside their community. People who run marathons do it because they want to be healthy, fit, and socialize. Their motivation grows as they train and get more active in the running community.
Ultramarathon runners, on the other hand, are driven by things like self-esteem and personal discovery that are inside of them.
The Cascades 100 is a big deal for Sisters. Apart from the hundreds of runners, dozens of staff and volunteers wend their way to Sisters. Beyond that, hundreds of shadow runners and support crews converge in town.
A “crew” is one or more people, working as a team, who are the runner’s primary source of support and encouragement throughout the race.
The crew leapfrogs the runner in a dedicated support vehicle, meeting the runner every few miles at allowable
locations along the route.
Crew is expediter, caregiver, nursemaid, and cheerleader. Crew keeps the runner on an agreed-upon race plan schedule with hydration, nutrition, electrolytes, rest, and all other plan details, and organizes and manages all food, gear, clothing, and equipment, including crew’s own items.
As runners began to arrive on the Sisters side of the mountain in the early, dark morning hours Sunday, the excitement began to build. One by one they drifted into the five aid stations spaced between Park Meadow just below Three Creek Lake, the two-thirds point.
Aid stations provided peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Precision chews and gels, Precision electrolyte drink, water, Coke, ginger ale, chips, cookies, and an assortment of other items. Each aid station posted a trained medical professional.
Runners came from 20-plus states, as far as Vermont, Texas, and Florida. Crew and pacers followed strict rules on how they could support their runner. Lorie Alexander (66), registered for the 100, from Calgary, Alberta, one of several from Canada.
The youngest entrant, age 18, was Tyler Noall from Bountiful, Utah. Over 100 racers were at least 50.
The first three 100-milers made it through before the race was called.
William Conner, age 34, from Santa Clara, California, finished first in the 100 with a time of 17:07:51, while Rob King, 32, from Ohio took first in the 50-miler with a time of 6:35:56.
Kyle Peterson, age 26, of Battle Ground, Washington, finished second with a time of 19:47:21. This was his first ultra. When asked, what hurts, he replied with a smile: “Everything. Mostly my calves, but when I stand, it’s my hips. I’m sorry for all the other runners, and I’m just happy that I got through before they shut it down.”
Dr. David Eugene Sullivan, EdD
November 8, 1939 – August 2, 2025
Dr. David Eugene Sullivan, EdD, passed away on August 2, 2025, in Bend. He was born November 8, 1939, in Winfield, Kansas, to Phyllis N. and Oscar O. Sullivan. He had one brother, Danny C. Sullivan.
The Sullivans headed west in the 1940s, and settled in Coos Bay (Marshfield), Oregon. David spent his childhood attending Coos Bay Schools, graduating in 1957 at Marshfield High. Once a Pirate always a Pirate! He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education at Oregon State University in 1961. While there he competed on the Oregon State Rifle team who won a National Championship. David joined ROTC and served in Korea as Second Lieutenant in the Army; after the war he was a Commanding Officer of the local Federal Reserves.
In 1969, David was raised a Master Mason in Blanco Lodge #48 A.F. & A.M. where he was a life member. He started his career as a sixth grade elementary teacher at Eastside School and Allegany, eventually becoming Principal after receiving his Master’s Degree at Southern Oregon in Ashland in 1971.
He met and married the love of his life of 59 years, Lynda Jo (Robertson) in
September 1965. They had one son, Michael, in 1970. In September 1975, David completed his Doctorate of Education at the University of Oregon. Deep down he was a Beaver but loved attending both schools.
In the late ’70s he became principal of the new Sunset Middle School and then Vice Principal of Marshfield High School until his final promotion in 1984. Dave became the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum of Coos Bay Schools, District #9, retiring in 1992.
Lynda retired in 1993 and in 1997 they moved to the home of their dreams at Black Butte Ranch in Central Oregon. They met many friends along the way. David had a generous spirit and supported many worthy causes and individuals in his lifetime. When Covid hit, David’s health
began to decline, and he and Lynda moved in the spring 2025 to a retirement community.
David never met a person he couldn’t get along with and everyone who met him felt at ease.
David is survived by his wife, Lynda, son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Lori, as well as niece Sherry Tarr, her husband Steven, and nephew Steven Sullivan.
There will be a Celebration of Life at the Unity Spiritual Community of Central Oregon, 63645 Scenic Drive, Bend, on Saturday, September 6, at 2:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers please feel free to make a donation in David’s name to Best Friends Animal Society, United Way, Unity Community of Central Oregon, Hospice House (Partners in Care) Bend, or a charity of your choosing.
camps. “My technique has changed, and the group has grown over the past year,” he said. “It’s great to see.”
He started playing fiddle at age nine. SFF music camps were “definitely instrumental in how I learned to play and how I learned to love it,” he enthused.
What’s in the future for this teen musician? “I mostly enjoy entertaining people. It’s fun; people like the fiddle. It’s not an instrument that a lot of people really master,” Bennette said.
He hopes SFF will add another year of advanced camp for teenagers next summer. “I love this camp,” he explained. “The people here are great, and forming a band is kind of hard to do on your own, so it’s a great resource for that.” He particularly enjoyed “getting a lot of people with different tastes together.”
Crista Munro, executive director of SFF Presents, was impressed by the performance. “You grow the kids up into the program,” she said. “I think we have a good crop.”
Some of Friday’s performers have been in the camps for three or four years, she said. “It’s just incredible to see them grow as musicians and grow confidence in their voices.”
She praised one student’s songwriting, and noted that many kids have become multi-instrumentalists. “It’s just very cool,” she said.
The original plan for SFF Presents summer camps involved engaging high school teens, Munro explained. Instead, earlier camp series mostly served
middle school students; now, youth in higher grade levels are beginning to have more options, too.
“We gotta figure it out, because if they want to keep coming back, we want to accommodate that,” she said.
SFF is widely celebrated for the Americana project at Sisters High School, but Sisters Country contains a large population of homeschoolers and youth with other schooling scenarios.
SFF summer camps have attracted homeschool students along with youth who attend schools in Redmond, Bend, and Camp Sherman through Central Oregon’s inter-district transfer program.
It’s possible that SFF Presents could serve those teens beyond summertime. Munro mused, “I was thinking, during their performance, that it would be cool to figure out a way to facilitate jams, you know? Like a teen jam.”
Joe Schulte returned this summer to teach the Build a Band course. A music instructor in Central Oregon for over two decades, he’s known locally for playing with the bluegrass band Skillethead.
He’s comfortable teaching SFF students hands-on, but also stepping back and “letting them do what they do,” as was the case with Take 16, a band formed among the campers.
A founding member and mandolinist for the Moon Mountain Ramblers, Schulte has plenty of experience as a gigging musician. He’s also taught strings at Central Oregon Music, Music Makers, Cascade Community School of Music and his own company, String Theory Music.
“It’s an amazing group,” he said of this summer’s advanced campers.
SFF Presents is the organization formerly known as
Folk Festival. The new name reflects year-round programming and education, rather than solely promoting the festival itself.
As director, Munro experiences the full breadth of the organization’s offerings, from shows to classes to festivals.
“It’s interesting because we shift focus a lot,” she explained. “This morning it was contracts for the folk festival, dealing with agents and managers.” Working on that, she and finance manager Teresa Mills hit some frustrating moments.
“Then we got to put that aside,” said Munro. They came upstairs to watch the students perform. “Teresa whispered in my ear, ‘This is why we do what we do.’” To learn more, donate, or join the email list, visit sff presents.org.
PROUD TO BE A PA RT OF THE NUGGET
“O ur positive response from your readers has been very good. In fact, equally as good as our internet exposure. W hen your sta changed our ad a little bit, added color, it made a huge di erence I have a high regard for hard work and boots on the ground hustling , and that ’s what you guys do. I am proud to be part of e Nugget.”
Sisters
Advanced teen musicians played a wide variety of instruments on songs of various genres at their showcase performance for the Build a Band: Advanced Strings summer creativity camp.
Continued from page 6
for your fear of every man that walks outside. Please train your dog or find a good trainer who can deal with the aggression you created in your dog. Stop saying it is “nice” when it is clearly not, put your animal on leash, be courteous. If you cannot reliably control your dog, stay home.
Sara Johnson
s s s
Roundabout art
To the Editor:
Hoo boy! What a kerfuffle we’ve got going concerning roundabout art in Sisters! It’s sort of like politics lately. No one gives an inch ... and no one wins. So, I might as well jump into the fray and try to suggest a compromise of sorts.
I need to clarify that I was raised In eastern Montana, and most of my friends were ranch kids, and many managed to munch their bodies while competing in rodeos. I even drove the ambulance at rodeos (in those day s it was just a donated station wagon), and hauled the unfortunates who had come in second-best to the livestock. I graduated Montana State University 60 years ago and went to work for Cowles Publishing two days later drawing cows, horses, ranches, and assorted livestock for articles and ads for their varied Western publications. After four years at a drawing board, switched to educating students about the finer points of visual art.
Now I think that the Sisters Rodeo is indeed a big draw in Sisters, and a dynamic bull and rider would be a most appropriate welcoming statue in — Cheyenne ,Wyoming, or Miles City, Montana, as what else is there in these prairie meccas? Conversely, Sisters has bountiful gifts for residents and visitors — as well as its highly popular rodeo! Therefore I agree that Red Rock and rider would be a perfect welcoming archway to our rodeo grounds, and that the multi-talented Dyrk Godby would be perfect as its creator.
So, what to do now? Given that all submissions from artists were not found to pass muster, let me suggest an alternative approach to our selection: why not choose a noted artist, give local feedback on subject matter, and let them create a beautiful welcoming entry to Sisters! Who should that artist be? As a working artist myself, I am without hesitation able to recommend Sisters’ own J. Chester “Skip” Armstrong. Skip one of only two artists that I consider to create a genius level .. the other being my college roommate. Skip is arguably the most celebrated Western sculptor in America, and his work can be found in galleries, private collections, and public installations from San Diego to New York City, and from Montreal to Mexico City. Jan and I would love to see this renowned sculptor’s work welcoming visitors, while highlighting the myriad gifts of our beautiful area.
I am honored to count Skip as a brilliant friend, and I hope that folks to find that Dyrk’s piece will welcome folks our rodeo grounds, and that Skip’s work will highlight our eastern entry to Sisters.
Steve Mathews, Ed.D s s s
To the Editor:
Art. The old saying that “beauty” is in the eye of the beholder certainly applies to art — especially roundabout art. I have seen roundabout art in Bend that I liked, and some that made me wonder if adults were involved. Selecting artwork for as visible a spot as a roundabout that will gain a wide swath of approval from the public is difficult, but it appears we have a proposal that does just that.
Choosing roundabout art should honor our town’s legacy, and embrace our present. The Red Rock/Lane Frost proposal saw 95 percent of those at a recent public meeting speak out in favor of it. This artwork is so stunning that the only concern expressed at this meeting was that people would
stop in the street, jump out of their car, and rush up to it to take a photo. Imagine if a piece of art that impactful was available for the entrance to our city? Wouldn’t that be something!
What if there was a conceptual drawing of that artwork with a landscaping barrier to prevent people from ditching their cars in the street to take a selfie? (I know, that sounds ridiculous). Take a look at page 19 of last week’s Nugget to see that the only concern expressed about the Red Rock/ Lane Frost artwork has been solved!
Carey Tosello
To the Editor:
s s s
Perhaps the difference of opinion over the roundabout art could be solved with the creation of a firefighter statue.
Wouldn’t everyone agree that honoring these heroes is appropriate?
Dennis McGregor
s s s
To the Editor:
What about a brand ‘S’ for the roundabout?
An ‘S’ brand has been used in each bracket that holds the flower pots on the City’s lamp posts.
Ranching is recognized. Loggers branded their logs with a stamp that identified them at the mill. Ranches, farms, and other businesses use longer brands called logos. Haven’t we all branded our belongings with our initials?
Pictures of Red Rock taken from a safe place will go far and wide. The story of determination and grit could be included. If he appears in a mural, 75 years of history could be included if images of the other events are added.
Maggie Hughes
s s s
Roadless
To the Editor:
The Trump administration’s proposed elimination of the Roadless Rule may not seem as shocking as other recent federal actions, but make no mistake it will have dire consequences for Sisters and Central Oregon’s environment.
The elimination of the Roadless Rule is a huge threat to nearly two million acres of Oregon’s forests. More roads created by for-profit private corporate logging and development companies will harm our most beloved local forests, rivers and streams, including the Metolius, Deschutes National Forest, Tumalo Mountain, and Sparks and Hosmer lakes. It will also have a serious impact on clean water supplies for local communities and wildlife. Plus, it makes wildfire danger much worse — Oregon Wild reports that wildfires are nearly four times more likely to ignite in areas with roads.
Our Roadless Rule needs to be stronger, not weaker. In this instance, all roads lead to a dangerous and reckless disregard of what we treasure and love about Central Oregon.
Darcie Meihoff
s s s
300 words
To the Editor:
I’m writing to beg you to enforce your maximum 300 word per letter policy. I realize that some residents may feel cheated by not hearing from the same six or eight folks preaching about the real or imagined issues of our time, but don’t worry we will all be left with a little more time to enjoy the day.
See, I just made my point using only 72 words.
Patrick A. Rose
s s s
Homeless camps
To the Editor:
I’m sitting at home, looking out the window
at the smoke-filled skies once again, ruminating about the forest around all of our homes in Sisters Country being taken over by illegal homeless campers. I just read that the latest fire (Flat Fire) was started again at a homeless camp. I know, not confirmed, but there have been many confirmed homeless-camp-related fires in the past few years to fuel my outrage.
Last week, there was another fire by Tollgate that was started close to road 100 and was human caused. (I know, not confirmed yet.)
Inaction is no longer an option! Our elected officials and highly paid Administrators of the Forest Service need to get these illegal campers out of the forest NOW! Not tomorrow! If not, we need to elect and hire someone who will. As it has already been said many times before, it’s only a matter of time before a catastrophic fire burns the entire forest around Sisters Country down, and our homes with it. Isn’t this why we have laws and building codes? Why aren’t they being being enforced? State Farm Insurance company doubled my fire insurance last year, and tripled it for next year. At least we haven’t been canceled yet, but the “Good Hands People” have their hands firmly around my neck and are squeezing.
All the solution suggestions, even temporary ones, seem to be met with the same answer: No resources. What about all the money spent on fighting just one homeless-camp-caused fire? What about all the tourism dollars lost to the Sisters area during another fire event? Couldn’t that money have been spent on housing subsidies for the Sisters working homeless?
Don’t get me started on poop. Where is it all going? I’ll tell you where it isn’t going. It isn’t going into waste treatment or septic systems. I suspect that it’s being buried in shallow pits, getting into our groundwater, and eventually all of our wells. Hey, I guess if you gotta go you gotta go.
Elected officials and highly paid bureaucrats, do your jobs and enforce our laws, now ! Otherwise, the result is anarchy.
Todd Hollis
s s s
Sisters watchword
To the Editor:
I begin each day asking myself this question: What would my heart love to say this morning?
Today, my heart wants to offer an observation about this beloved community of Sisters. Our responses to the Flat Fire provide a telling example of what this community values.
I believe every community, organization, or group carries a kind of “watchword” describing its very heart. It’s a word, a phrase, or a motto embodying a principle and guide to action. I believe the “watchword” for Sisters is: “Here, We Care for Each Other.”
Here’s an example my wife and I just experienced during this Flat Fire: A family member’s need for ongoing health treatment in Portland had kept us out of town at the time of the fire’s eruption. But while we’re away, we stay in touch.
In the late morning on this past Saturday, we received an urgent call from a dear friend in Sisters alerting us to this fast-moving fire which had put our home just outside the city limits in potential danger. Knowing of our extended stay in Portland, our friend asked if we’d appreciate her going out to our home to retrieve and pack up some special keepsakes, then taking them back to her house in downtown Sisters. We gratefully accepted her offer, and within minutes our friend and her son arrived at our home. They packed up those most precious belongings and took them to safety. We felt, and feel, incredibly blessed by their caring gift. A simple, but ever-so-meaningful instance of “Here, We Care for Each Other.”
We truly appreciate our friends in Sisters. We deeply value the heart of Sisters. Maybe this “watchword” belongs on a welcome sign as travelers enter our special community: “Here, We Care for Each Other.”
David Hagstrom
Ross Kennedy, Principal Br
City to launch pumpstation project
The City of Sisters Westside Pumpstation and Force Main Project will begin September 3.
The project is a major infrastructure improvement designed to increase wastewater system capacity and support the community’s long-term growth.
The project will include construction of a new pump station on the west side of Sisters and installation of a force main pipeline on Pine Street and Jefferson Avenue to connect the facility to the city’s wastewater treatment plant. These improvements will ensure the City can
SEX ABUSE: Incidents involved staff members
Continued from page 1
documented. The reported incidents included unwanted physical contact, inappropriate comments, and coercive behavior toward victims at the camp.”
The release identified Perry as a camp counselor.
In a Facebook post on August 21, Caldera Arts stated that: “...the individual in question was employed as a Youth Advocate and Media Coordinator — not a camp counselor — and was terminated from Caldera 11 days ago after staff raised concerns. At their request, we reported the matter to law enforcement. We have no information that any youth were impacted. We are actively cooperating with the Sheriff’s Office.”
On August 21, a detective and deputy, with assistance from the Portland Police Bureau’s Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and the Child Abuse Team, arrested Perry at his residence in Portland without incident. He was transported to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office where he is currently lodged on charges including:
• Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree (Class A
continue to meet state and federal water quality standards while providing reliable service for current and future residents.
The contractor performing the work is Rickabaugh Construction and they are planning on completing the Force Main by the end of October and having the pumpstation online in March 2026. Efforts will be made to minimize impacts to residents, businesses, and traffic in the area. The city encourages residents to stay informed about project updates through its website at www.ci.sisters.or.us.
Misdemeanor).
• Assault in the Fourth Degree (Class A Misdemeanor).
• Harassment (Class B Misdemeanor).
• Rape in the First Degree (Class A Felony).
• Sodomy in the Second Degree (Class B Felony).
• Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree (Class A Felony).
• Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree — ORS 163.425 (Class C Felony). In their Facebook statement, Caldera Arts asserted that: “...we want community members to know that to protect both the youth and staff, we adhere — at all times — to the ‘Rule of Three.’ Under this rule, individual staff are never alone with an individual youth: staff + 2 youth; or 2 staff +1 youth. The ‘Rule of Three’ is maintained both in person and via email (Programs Coordinator must be cc’d on any correspondence with youth). No youth are left unsupervised at any time.”
A Caldera spokesperson said that the allegations involved misconduct directed at adult staff and occurred in the late July/early August time frame. She noted that “everyone who is on our property for any length of time goes through a background check.” She said that included Perry.
ALL advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.
CLASSIFIED RATES
COST:
$3.50 per line for first insertion, $2.50 per line for each additional insertion to 9th week, $1.50 per line 10th week and beyond (identical ad/consecutive weeks). Also included in The Nugget online classifieds at no additional charge. There is a minimum $5 charge for any classified. First line = approx. 20-25 characters, each additional line = approx. 25-30 characters. Letters, spaces, numbers and punctuation = 1 character. Any ad copy changes will be charged at the first-time insertion rate of $3.50 per line. Standard abbreviations allowed with the approval of The Nugget classified department. NOTE: Legal notices placed in the Public Notice section are charged at the display advertising rate.
DEADLINE: FRIDAY AT 5 PM preceding Wednesday publication. PLACEMENT & PAYMENT: Office, 442 E. Main Ave. Phone, 541-549-9941 or place online at NuggetNews.com. Payment is due upon placement. Major credit cards accepted with a 3% processing fee. Billing available for continuously run classified ads, after prepayment of first four weeks.
CATEGORIES:
102 Commercial Rentals
Office space available, three days a week, Downtown Sisters, $300. LMT, esthetics, or other practitioner. 541-420-2400
473 W. Hood Ave., Suite 102 Office Suite, 512 Sf. High Traffic Exposure 503-730-0150
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.
484 W. Washington Street Two suites available Suite D, 1181 sq. ft. Suite C/F, 805 sq. ft. 503-522-6306
103 Residential Rentals
The Grove at Sunset Meadows Apartments in Sisters, OR Lease today and claim your move-in-special!
1- and 2-bedroom homes, available for immediate move-in 210 North Woodson, Sisters 844-804-1684
CASCADE HOME & PROPERTY RENTALS
Monthly Rentals throughout Sisters Country. 541-549-0792
Property management for second homes. CascadeHomeRentals.com
PONDEROSA PROPERTIES
–Monthly Rentals Available–Call Debbie at 541-549-2002
Full details, 24 hrs./day, go to: PonderosaProperties.com
Printed list at 178 S. Elm, Sisters Ponderosa Properties LLC
Cowboy Court Apartments
2 bedroom 2 bath. Rent is $1,600 a month, RSD is $1,600, some pets considered (dogs & cats OK with add'l $350 RSD per pet).
This has a lease thru 9/30/2026.
Current tenants vacate 9/30/2025.
Unit is 1st floor unit in the front building. W/S/Garbage is paid. #104, 154 W Adams Ave. Dishwasher, microwave, washer & dryer, patio, garbage disposal, granite countertops, energy efficient windows, storage, plank flooring throughout, electric heat w/air conditioning, off-street parking - one reserved space (covered space $20/Month), owner pays landscaping, approx. 1,000 sq. ft., NO SMOKING.
104 Vacation Rentals
Downtown Vacation Rentals
Popular 1 and 2 Bedroom
SistersVacationRentals.net
Great pricing. 503-730-0150
201 For Sale
For sale: Bushman Elite BBQ with side burner and extra propane tank. Used very little. $150 cash. 541-549-4113
202 Firewood
• SUMMER 2025 • NEW DISCOUNT PRICES
SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS
DAVE ELPI – FIREWOOD
• 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
LODGEPOLE FIREWOOD
BEST DEAL IN YEARS
SistersForestProducts.com 541-410-4509
LODGEPOLE PINE
Very Seasoned Firewood Logs
Delivery avail. • Call for quote 541-306-8675
205 Garage & Estate Sales
Yard Sale-One Day Only!
Sat., August 30 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Huge multi-category sale! Snow blower, kayak, women's skis, motorcycle helmets, bikes, 55" Sony flat-screen TV, Tools & more. 14850 Schooner, Sisters, OR (Tollgate Subdivision)
Happy Trails Estate Sales and online auctions!
Selling, Downsizing, or Deaths? Locally owned & operated by... Daiya 541-480-2806 Sharie 541-771-1150
Vehicles
CAR STORAGE! Oversized, lights/power, $275/m • 541-419-2502 We Buy, Sell, Consign Quality Cars, Trucks, SUVs & RVs ~ Call Jeff at 541-815-7397 Sisters Car Connection da#3919 SistersCarConnection.com
403 Pets
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies. Available Sept. 10. 541-413-0912
Caring, loving pet care in my home. Daily rates and in town. Cheryl 541-420-7875
I’ve got your cats covered! Sisters-Tumalo-PetSitting.com Home of Brando's Natural Dog Biscuits • 541-306-7551 • Julie
500 Services
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 541-383-2455 or andy@bendblinds.com.
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
501 Computers & Communications
3 Sisters TeleNetworks, LLC Audio/video,
rugs, upholstery, tile &
cleaning. Established & family-owned since 1986. 541-549-9090
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
600 Tree Service & Forestry
– All You Need Maintenance –Tree removal, property thinning & clearing, forestry mastication & mulching, stump grinding. Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169 Austin • 541-419-5122
TimberStandImprovement.net Tree Removal & Pruning TRAQ Arborist/ CCB#190496 541-771-4825
LOLO TREE WORKS Tree Services: Tree Removal, Tree Pruning, Stump Grinding, Emergency Tree Services. ISA Certified Arborist Owner / Operator: Erin Carpenter lolotreeworks.com Call / Text: 503-367-5638
Email: erin@lolotreeworks.com CCB #240912
• Wildfire Fuels reduction
• Debris Chipping/Mastication
• Forest Health Thinning
• Land & Lot Clearing
• Tree Removal Will Moore, 541-409-5404
ISA Certified Arborist
We are the experts you’ve been looking for! LCB# 100129 & Oregon Professional Logger 71395048
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 Earthwood Timber • Recycled fir and pine beams • Mantels and accent timbers • Sawmill/woodshop services EWDevCoLLC@gmail.com
Advertise in the Nugget –www.nuggetnews.com
New 2025 crop. Barn stored. 3-tie bales. $240-$340/ton. Hwy. 126 & Cline Falls. 541-280-1895
Custom Homes Additions - Remodels Residential Building Projects Becke William Pierce CCB# 190689 • 541-647-0384 Beckewpcontracting@gmail.com — Serving Sisters Since 2010 — CASCADE GARAGE DOORS Factory Trained Technicians Since 1983 • CCB #44054 541-548-2215 • 541-382-4553
Pat Burke
LOCALLY OWNED
CRAFTSMAN BUILT
CCB: 228388 • 541-588-2062
www.sistersfencecompany.com
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
Construction & Renovation
Custom Residential Projects
All Phases • CCB #148365 541-420-8448
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
INSPIRED CUSTOM HOMES
www.teeharborconstruction.com 541-213-8736 • CCB#75388
LOCAL CONSTRUCTION SERVICES & HOME MAINT.
Remodels • Landscaping Firewise Maintenance
Decks & Much More!
Pease Co. Contracting Call Tanner at 541-588-0136. Big and small jobs!
CCB# 256258
SPURGE COCHRAN
BUILDER, INC.
General Contractor
Building Distinctive, Handcrafted Custom Homes, Additions, Remodels, Cabin Renovations Since ’74
A “Hands-On” Builder Keeping Your Project on Time & On Budget • CCB #96016
To speak to Spurge personally, call 541-815-0523
Custom Homes • Additions
Residential Building Projects
Serving Sisters area since 1976
Strictly Quality
CCB #16891 • CCB #159020 541-280-9764
John Pierce jpierce@bendbroadband.com
602 Plumbing & Electric
Ridgeline Electric, LLC
Serving all of Central Oregon • Residential • Commercial • Industrial • Service 541-588-3088 • CCB #234821
Commercial • Residential • Industrial • Remodels • Generators • Hot tubs/Saunas monteselectric@hotmail.com
CCB#200030 • 541-480-9860
SWEENEY
PLUMBING, INC. “Quality and Reliability” Repairs • Remodeling
• New Construction • Water Heaters 541-549-4349
Residential and Commercial Licensed • Bonded • Insured CCB #87587
— GEORGE’S — SEPTIC SERVICE 541-419-3148
A 63-year tradition for Sisters www.georges-septic-service.com
603 Excavation & Trucking
Full Service Excavation
Free On-site Visit & Estimate
Tewaltandsonsexcavation@gmail .com
541-549-1472 • CCB #76888
Drainfield
• Minor & Major Septic Repair
• All Septic Needs/Design & Install
General Excavation
• Site Preparation
• Rock & Stump Removal
• Pond & Driveway Construction Preparation
• Building Demolition Trucking
• Deliver Top Soil, Sand, Gravel, Boulders, Water
• Dump Trucks, Transfer Trucks, Belly
• The Whole 9 Yards or 24
Whatever You Want!
BANR Enterprises, LLC
Earthwork, Utilities, Grading, Hardscape, Rock Walls
Residential & Commercial
CCB #165122 • 541-549-6977
www.BANR.net
ROBINSON & OWEN
Heavy Construction, Inc.
All your excavation needs
*General excavation
*Site Preparation
*Sub-Divisions
*Road Building
*Sewer and Water Systems
*Underground Utilities
*Grading
*Sand-Gravel-Rock
Licensed • Bonded • Insured CCB #124327
541-549-1848
604 Heating & Cooling
ACTION AIR
Heating & Cooling, LLC
Retrofit • New Const • Remodel Consulting, Service & Installs
actionairheatingandcooling.com
CCB #195556
541-549-6464
Sisters, Oregon's Exclusive HVAC Service
Residential & Commercial Heating • Ductless Air Conditioning • Maintenance Installation • Repair
541-588-5667
SistersHeatingAir.com
605 Painting
~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~
Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. Refurbishing Decks
CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620 www.frontier-painting.com
EMPIRE PAINTING
Interior and Exterior Painting and Staining CCB#180042
541-613-1530 • Geoff Houk
Interior/Exterior Painting
Deck Refinishing
Jacob deSmet 503-559-9327
peakperformancepainting1@ gmail.com • CCB#243491
606 Landscaping & Yard Maintenance
Eastern Cascade Solutions
Landscaping & Construction www.easterncascadesolutions. com • 541-233-7195
LCB #9958 • CCB #222039
J&E Landscaping Maintenance LLC Clean-ups, raking, hauling debris, thatching, aerating, irrigation, mowing. Edgar Cortez 541-610-8982 jandelspcing15@gmail.com
– All You Need Maintenance –Pine needle removal, hauling, mowing, moss removal, edging, raking, weeding, pruning, roofs, gutters, pressure washing. Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169 Austin • 541-419-5122
Complete landscape construction, fencing, irrigation installation & design, pavers/outdoor kitchens, debris cleanups, fertility & water conservation management, excavation.
CCB #188594 • LCB #9264 www.vohslandscaping.com 541-515-8462
Keeping Sisters Country Beautiful Since 2006 candcnursery@gmail.com 541-549-2345
STEVE'S HAULING Yard and other debris, landscaping services, chain saw work, etc. 707-328-8370
All Landscaping Services
Mowing, Thatching, Hauling Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740
Alpine Landscape Maintenance An All-Electric Landscape Company.
Text/Call Paul 541.485.2837 alpine.landscapes@icloud.com
701 Domestic Services
I & I Crystal Cleaning, LLC
Specializing in Commercial, Residential & Vacation Rentals. Licensed, Bonded & Insured. 541-977-1051
BLAKE & SON – Commercial, Home & Rentals Cleaning WINDOW CLEANING! Lic. & Bonded • 541-549-0897
802 Help Wanted
Hiring for full-time and part-time housekeeping. Please call with questions. 541-280-8769
Part Time Sales Associate
We are looking for a friendly, reliable, team player who enjoys working with the public in a retail environment. You must be willing to work some weekend days. Applications available at Stitchin' Post, 311 W. Cascade Ave. in Sisters or by email diane.j@stitchinpost.com. Questions? Contact diane.j@stitchinpost.com HOME TO LEASE?
Advertise it in the Nugget –www.nuggetnews.com
This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Sisters School District's policy of destroying special education records upon the expiration of six years from the date that services end. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state and federal laws unless the parent/guardian or adult student notifies the Sisters School District. Otherwise, the Sisters School District will be destroying any unclaimed Special Education records for students who exited Special Education services in the district in the year prior to and including 2018-2019. If you have records that would be available for claiming, please contact our Special Services Record Secretary at 541-549-4045 x5777 before September 15, 2025.
Tiny cr eeks slip down My window pane. With a soft smell of its own, The gift of sweet, luscious rain. — by Rita Garolis-MacDonald
