Gauging impact of federal cuts in Sisters
By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
As the new Administration in Washington issues a slew of Executive Orders and memoranda, many dealing with funding for grants, loans, and staffing levels, readers have raised concerns that vital programs affecting Sisters Country may be cut or eliminated.
Some of these actions have been challenged in court with varying, and occasionally contradictory, rulings. A number are working their way through expedited review by higher courts.
See CUTS on page 15
Hands-on learning...
Council works on City goals
By Susan Cobb Correspondent
Members of the Sisters City Council spent hours last week hammering out goals for the coming years.
Sisters first-grader Emery Oliver did some construction work at the Children’s Museum of Central Oregon, which staged a pop-up exhibition at Sisters Elementary School over the weekend. (Seerelatedstory,page6.)
A million years on the Metolius River
By Maret Pajutee Correspondent
First there were shallow seas, volcanoes, and earthquakes. Then about a million years ago Black Butte started erupting. To the north, the Old Cascades broke apart and the land sunk 2000 feet, creating a backdrop, the fault scarp of Green Ridge. Lava flowed into the space. Glaciers got involved.
As volcanoes and glaciers began their combat, Three Fingered Jack and Mt. Washington erupted, but later were whittled down to pointy mountaintops, carved by the relentless ice. The Metolius Basin filled with ground up mountainsides. Geologist Larry Chitwood was compassionate, saying, the high peaks “suffered tremendously at the hands of the glaciers,” in his chapter in “Oregon’s Sisters Country,” (Ray Hatton, 1996). Black Butte was never touched by ice and retained its youthful profile. Glaciers melted, leaving in their footprint high
concentrations of neoglacial moraine-dammed lakes.
Much of the Metolius Basin is in a rain shadow. The mountains and forests at the west edge catch clouds full of rain and snow. This moisture supports lodgepole and high elevation tree types that burned infrequently in small patches. To the east, Douglas fir, White fir, and Ponderosa pine forests followed streams and plains, and lightning fires were more frequent but less fatal to trees. Near the upper river pure pine forests burned frequently, larger trees protected by thick bark.
Before European settlement, Native American tribes fished the spring-fed Metolius River, a spawning ground for Chinook salmon and a passageway for sockeye salmon headed west towards Suttle Lake and Link Creek. They named the river after “Metolo,” or dog salmon or white salmon. In the 1830s and ’40s, European explorers Nathaniel Wyeth and John C.
As the City of Sisters website notes: “Every oddnumbered year, following an election, the City Council sets goals for the upcoming two-year period. These goals are supported by two budget cycles, ensuring resources are allocated to projects and initiatives that may take years to complete.”
Goal setting is to be completed by March to ensure the city staff can be on time for other scheduling
See GOALS on page 16
Students glimpse the medical world
By Olivia Nieto Correspondent
New experiences have the potential to be exciting, overwhelming, and awe-inspiring. Sisters High School provides an opportunity for its students that brings together all of these emotions. Nearly every year since 2010 SHS students have had the ability to visit and work at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle.
Last week, teachers Rima Givot and Dan Oliver transported 13 high schoolers of varying ages and scientific experience to explore, collaborate, and learn in the center.
“The goal is to give students the opportunity to see how science works in action and open them up to things and career fields they didn’t know existed,” said Sisters High School science teacher Rima Givot.
The group of 12 students and one student intern travelled by bus, spending their first day in the lab and exploring the numerous facilities within the center. Throughout the duration of the trip students utilized many new
forms of technical equipment, including micropipettes, centrifuges, and microscopes regularly used by cancer and microbiology researchers who work at Fred Hutch.
“Fred Hutch was a very fulfilling experience for me and gave a great insight into the STEM field. It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will have a lasting impact on my life,”
said sophomore Caitlin Carter.
The students were further immersed in the world of cancer research through tours carried out by staff members, from learning about the role of a facilities manager to being amazed by state-ofthe-art cell imaging equipment, the information that the
Sisters High School students got a deep look into the medical research field at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle.
PHOTO BY MATT VAN SLYKE
OPINION
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.
Yes, we’re happy now!
To the Editor:
Linda Hanson asks Trump voters in her February 12 Letter to the Editor, “Are you happy now?” Let me be the first to respond with a resounding “Yes!” I’m happy that our border is being secured, biological males can no longer compete in women’s sports, American interests are being put first, and fraud, waste, and abuse are being exposed and (hopefully soon) reduced or eliminated.
Ms. Hanson cites a few heartstring-tugging programs before communicating her fear that Elon Musk has access to her social security number and payroll information. Oh my. Is he going to commit identity fraud and set up a credit card in your name? What about the nearly 90,000 unelected bureaucrats who work for the IRS who have access to the same information? I’d be more worried about them.
Yet nowhere does Ms. Hanson express outrage at the actual findings of President Trump’s Department of Governmental Efficiency (a program, by the way, that has significant precedent throughout presidential history going all the way back to FDR). Nowhere does Ms. Hanson wonder how members of Congress who make a couple hundred thousand dollars a year somehow end up with tens of millions of dollars of net worth. Nor does she express any outrage over the $35.5 trillion dollars of national debt (as of Q3 2024).
Furthermore, Ms. Hanson should take note that President Trump campaigned on all of these issues (including DOGE and Elon Musk’s involvement) openly and consistently and is simply following through on his campaign promises. Voters for President Trump knew exactly what they were voting for and I, for one, couldn’t be happier to see his administration taking immediate action.
OPINION…
Too many chickens, not enough eggs
Dawn Bernhardt s s s
Our vote is our voice
To the Editor:
Republican state legislators, led by Christine Drazan, R-Canby, are proposing two bills to limit voting rights in OR. Oregon’s pioneering, first-in-the-nation Motor Voter Law has successfully increased voter participation, and it’s a thing Oregon voters should be proud of. Additionally, every registered Oregon voter automatically receives a ballot in the mail, along with a detailed voter’s pamphlet to help us compare candidates. With numerous drop boxes at local libraries and municipal buildings, voting is accessible for all, regardless of political affiliation. Ensuring easy access to voting is crucial for our democracy, and OR legislators must prioritize this.
House Bill 3470 would require additional verification of citizenship documents, by Secretary of State Tobias Read’s office, and House Bill 3473 aims to eliminate automatic voter registration entirely. These reactions stem from a DMV error that mistakenly registered noncitizens to vote - an issue now addressed with improved staff training and scrutiny. Governor Kotek has initiated an audit and paused automatic registration until the audit is completed. Having previously lived in Pennsylvania, I am aware of the complexities and challenges associated with voting outside of Oregon.
My concern is that overreaction to isolated incidents could make it harder to vote. Our right to vote is the foundation of democracy, and Oregon legislators must make voting easier, not harder for us to elect our representatives.
Kristine Seibert s s s
See LETTERS on page 17
Sisters Weather Forecast
The Nugget Newspaper, LLC
Website: www.nuggetnews.com
442 E. Main Ave., P.O. Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759
Tel: 541-549-9941 | Email: editor@nuggetnews.com
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Editor in Chief & Co-owner: Jim Cornelius
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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:
By Bruce Campbell Guest Columnist
I’ve been reading The Nugget for 10 years now and I never thought that it leaned left or right. That’s how things are defined in Trump world. Discrediting the press is one of the basic tenets of any fascist movement.
Right now, in real time, we are witnessing how fascism takes over a democratic country in 2025. As a student of history, being one of the few subjects I got good grades in, I’m astonished to find that I’m seeing it happen in the USA. All of the basic elements are there.
Scapegoating minorities; chief one this time around, people who identify as transexual (a whopping 0.9 percent of the population). Next, immigrants, especially the browned skin ones with no money (unless they have tech skills). When Congress finally put together a good border bill, it was shut down by Trump to not give the Democrats a win before the election.
Another element is to destroy bureaucracies and departments that make up the bones of any government by declaring them as corrupt and biased. The twist this time is an unelected trillionaire wannabe with his team of hackers to force out or fire non-loyal government workers. Even if their job may be crucial to the safety of the citizens of this country. These hackers now have access to the most sensitive parts of our government where your personal information is.
Can you trust a guy who takes a chainsaw to the very watchdog departments that are trying to regulate him from making unsafe cars and ripping people off with the latest crypto-coins? Or, can you trust a guy who sells his very own patriotic bible (made in China), gold sneakers, pieces of a suit that he wore when he got convicted of 34 felonies?
What about suddenly cutting off funds to USAID, who are helping people around the world with food and medicine which keeps our own farmers in business as well as creating goodwill towards us.
What about going after
law enforcement and the courts because they were doing their job both protecting our Capitol from those peaceful tourists and indicting and convicting the one who sent them. Trump getting out of those crimes by cleverly running for president doesn’t convince me that he didn’t do them.
Trump is not draining the swamp. He’s trying to get the deed to it. He thinks he’s in control but it’s plain that he’s controlled by Musk and the 2025 manifesto crowd.
The Republicans in the House and Senate are not listening to their own consciences. A group that has always considered themselves, at least in speeches, Christian, righteous and moral, should act that way. Mitch McConnell, who could have stopped Trump from running in 2020 but didn’t, is now taking issue with one or two of the Clown Car Cabinet picks. That’s like Judas offering to pay for the Last Supper with his 30 pieces of silver.
Steve Woodside, in his very passive aggressive opinion February 5 seems to want us to all be on Team America but then sounds more “it’s like my way or the highway,” then fretting about sensitive, white, female, progressives wanting to change derogatory names of some of the sports teams. The Native Americans where the ones who took issue with those offending names. The sensitive, white, female, progressives just agreed with them along with most everyone else. The Redskins? Should they be called the Washington Rednecks?
I agree that the media, especially the social media, is a major cause of divisions and unrest in this country. Look who’s co-President with Trump now, the guy with the biggest platform of all who named his poor kid “X.” Look who was sitting behind Trump during the inauguration. More media billionaires.
There isn’t a fox in the chicken coop, it’s all foxes in there now. The only chickens are on the Republican side of the aisle in the Congress and Senate. In other words, egg prices aren’t going down anytime soon.
Sisters High School Pageant offers fun for funds
Registration open for creativity camps
SFF Presents (SFFP) will host 11 summer creativity camps for middle and high school-aged students in July and August at Sisters Art Works.
The Sisters nonprofit has partnered with regional teaching artists to create sessions of art, music, theater, and self-expression with a maximum of 15 students per program. Camp registration is open at https://www. sffpresents.org/summercreativity-camps with scholarship opportunities available to ensure that no child is
BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS
Al -Anon
Mon., noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church 541- 610-73 83
Alcoholics Anonymous
prevented from participating due to financial barriers.
Teaching artist and SMS science teacher Melissa Stolasz will start the season and lead a half-day Fiddle Camp on July 14-18 from 9 a.m. to noon daily. This camp is open to players who have some experience on the fiddle and can play a few tunes. Instruction will include two music sessions each morning. Campers will learn new techniques on the fiddle, work on their bowing
See CREATIVITY on page 19
Sisters
By Olivia Nieto Correspondent
The long standing success of the SHS Pageant in raising money for FAN (Family Access Network) continues after their Pie in the Face night last February 13.
“Even though the whipped cream got all over me and in my hair, seeing the look on people’s faces when they got to pie my teammates and me was priceless. Knowing it was all for a good cause made it totally worth it,” said pageant member Solei Planty.
The evening was made up of pageant participants enduring many desserts to the face for varying prices, $1 for a long shot, $3 for a good aim, and $5 for an up close and personal. The
sweet mess paid off and the group ended the night with a total of $1,894 towards the fundraiser, making it past the halfway point of their $3,000 goal.
The fundraising continues with a pasta feed and dessert auction hosted at Sisters Community Church on March 1 at 5 p.m. An $8 entry fee will be required, but the desserts are made by contestants for any community member to bid on and the 6 p.m. dinner includes vegetarian and gluten-free options.
“The pasta feed is such an important event because it’s a fun way to bring our community together while also providing for an amazing cause which goes towards essential resources to help and support families in need,” said Planty.
author’s new novel out in March
Melody Carlson of Sisters has become a fan favorite among contemporary romance readers. Her charming casts of characters, homey settings, and creative plots have created a perfect backdrop for her uplifting tales.
In Carlson’s newest release, “Welcome to the Honey B&B,” a single mom returns to her family’s small rural farm in Oregon. But juggling her dad’s dementia, an old flame, and the oh-so-helpful neighbors is not exactly what she had in mind when she uprooted her life.
The novel will hit bookshelves in March.
Jewel McKerry’s last few years have been challenging, and she is ready for a change. She has decided to return to her small hometown in Oregon. Her plan is to help her mom, Honey, care for her dad, who has early onset dementia. But traveling this journey with her mom is easier said than done. Jewel’s beekeeping-obsessed father can be a humorous handful, and her own daughter is fighting the move. With household finances tight, Jewel proposes that they expand the family
SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR
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
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
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
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 D ementia Sister s
Care Partner suppor t group. 2nd & 4th Weds ., 1-2:30 p.m. The Lodge in Sisters. 541- 647- 00 52
Milita ry Parent s of Sister s Meetings are held quar terly; please call for details. 541- 38 8- 9013
Oregon Band of Brothers Sisters Chapter meets Wednesda ys, 11:3 0 a.m., Takoda’s Rest aurant. 541- 549- 64 69
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 3rd Wednesday., 10:3 0 a.m., Sisters Episcopal Church. 503- 616- 8712
Sisters Cribbage Club Meets 11 a.m. ever y Wed. at SPRD 50 9- 947- 5744
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 The Lodge 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 Red Ha ts 1st Fr iday. For location information, please call: 541- 84 8-1970
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 plac e 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 1st 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., Spoons Rest aurant. 541-241- 6563
SCHOOLS
Black Bu tt e School
Board of Director s 2nd Tuesday, 3:45 p.m., Black Butte School. 541- 59 5- 6203
business beyond beekeeping and light farming, and renovate the historic farmhouse to create a B&B. As the family bonds together in this shared venture, Jewel encounters new neighbors and a contractor, who used to be an old flame.
Juggling home renovations, family dynamics, and potential romantic interests, Jewel soon learns that it takes a village to keep a man with dementia (and a goofy sense of humor) from unraveling everything. Can a handsome widower and his teenage daughter be the key to making all this work?
Sisters School District Board of Directors One Wednesday mont hly, Sisters School District Administration Building. See schedule online at www ssd6.org 541- 549- 8521 x5 002. CITY & PARKS
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, 5 p.m., Sisters Fire Hall, 541- 549- 0771
PHOTO BY OLIVIA NIETO
The SHS Pageant featured messy fundraising fun in a long-standing Outlaws tradition.
Lady Outlaws fall in MVC playoff game
By Rongi Yost Correspondent
The Lady Outlaws (No. 4) traveled to Pleasant Hill (No. 3) on Wednesday, February 19, to take on the Billies in a Mountain Valley Conference Playoff Game which would decide who would advance in the playoffs. It was a tight contest with several lead changes and nine times the game was tied. The Outlaws struggled in the final period, the Billies got into the bonus, and the game ended in a 54-48 Outlaws’ loss, which brought their season to an end.
In the first period the Outlaws struck first with a long ball from Verbena Brent. The Billies hit a couple of free throws, but then Audrey Corcoran scored on a three-point play off a steal and layup, plus an ‘and one.’
The Billies followed with seven consecutive points and the Outlaws went down 6-9. Sisters final score of the quarter came from a short shot under the basket from Shae Wyland off a Corcoran assist and at the close of the quarter the Outlaws were on top 13-11.
Coach Paul Patton told The Nugget that the Outlaws offensive rebounding was strong in the first period which gave them several second or third shot attempts.
The Billies scored at the onset of the second quarter and took a twopoint lead. Corcoran hit a jumper and followed with a
left-handed layup to regain the lead 17-15. Sadly for the Outlaws, the Billies went on an 8-0 run, with most of the points off steals and transition layups.
Sisters stormed back when Paityn Cotner buried a three-pointer, Wyland scored on a short shot under the basket, and Maddie Durham hit a three from the corner. At the half the Outlaws were just down by one, 25-26.
Patton said, “At the half we talked about how to counter their overplaying defense with V cuts and back door cuts. Defensively, we wanted to be more aggressive in hunting passes and to keep them off the offensive boards.”
Sisters came out of the half on fire and went on a 7-0 run; a long ball from up top from Corcoran, followed by a jumper from Cocoran, and then a long jumper from Durham, which gave the Outlaws a 32-26 lead. The Billies came back and quickly tied it up 32-32.
Sisters responded again with back-to-back threes from Corcoran and Brent, respectively, and once again reclaimed the lead 38-32. The Billies wouldn’t quit and at the close of the period they’d once again tied the game, 38-38.
Sisters struck first in the final period off a great giveand-go from Althea Crabtree to Brent, but the two-point lead didn’t last, as the Billies tied it right back up at 40-40. Pleasant Hill went on a seven-point scoring
spree and the Outlaws found themselves down 40-47. The Billies’ fouls put the Outlaws at the foul line, and Durham and Corcoran both went two-for-two to close the gap to three at 44-47. Jorja Christianson hit a jumper and the game was within reach at 46-47 with 58 seconds left in the game.
The Billies were fouled and made both shots to take a three-point lead. With the clock ticking down Durham got fouled on a drive with nine seconds left and was poised and calm and she hit both her free-throws to close the gap to 48-51. Unfortunately, the Outlaws were forced to foul, and the Billies hit three of their four attempts and won by six.
Corcoran led the Outlaws with 19 points, Brent scored 11, and Durham scored nine. Wyland scored four points, Cotner tallied three, and Christianson added two.
Patton said, “I was very proud of the girls for the way they battled one of the best teams in the state. Everyone gave it their best effort in a hard-fought down to the wire game.”
St. Charles, The Center officially integrate
St. Charles Health System announced recently that its integration with The Center Orthopedic & Neurosurgical Care is officially complete.
St. Charles states that the move will secure and stabilize access to orthopedic, neurosurgical, physical and rehabilitation medicine throughout Central Oregon. The Center is now part of St. Charles Health System and is operating as St. Charles Center for Orthopedics and Neurosurgery.
According to St. Charles Health System, a primary goal of this integration is to restore and expand access to orthopedic care, addressing the significant reduction Central Oregonians have experienced over the past two years. Now that the integration is complete, the team can turn its attention to recruiting additional providers.
“Today we are celebrating this integration as securing and stabilizing a critical health care function for our region. We are thrilled that 27 physicians and 29 advanced practice providers will be part of the new St. Charles
Center for Orthopedics and Neurosurgery,” said St. Charles President and CEO Dr. Steve Gordon. “We anticipate it will take some time for patients to see an improvement in access to orthopedic care as we work to recruit additional physicians to fill the gap in the community.”
Dr. Christopher Healy, former board president of The Center, now senior medical director at Orthopedics, Neurosurgery & Physiatry, has helped lead the transition.
“...while the name is changing, our commitment to exceptional care remains. Without any loss of providers or staff with this transition, we look forward to maintaining and expanding services for our beloved region.”
All locations where The Center operated remain open under the St. Charles Center for Orthopedics and Neurosurgery name. The phone number for appointments remains the same, 541382-3344. Patients with questions about appointments, billing, or medical records can visit stcharleshealthcare. org/thecenter-transition.
Outlaws will host St. Mary’s in first round of state playoffs
By Rongi Yost Correspondent
The Outlaws (No.2) started their week with a 56-53 win at home against Creswell (No.3) in a Mountain Valley Conference game on Thursday, February 20. The Outlaws secured the win despite being short two of their starters, Garrett Sager and Kieren Labhart, who were both out with hand injuries.
On Saturday, they travelled to Pleasant Hill for the League Playoff Championship Game. Both teams were assured a berth to the state playoffs as the two automatic seeds from the Mountain Valley Conference regardless the outcome of the game. The game would just determine who would be the No. 1 and No. 2 seed. The Outlaws fell 51-42 and will enter the playoffs as the No. 2 seed. Sisters will host an OSAA First Round State Playoff Game on Wednesday, February 26, against St. Marys.
In the game against Creswell, Will McDonnell got the Outlaws on the scoreboard right off the tip with a contested left-handed layup to give Sisters the early lead. The Bulldogs started to score and the Outlaws quickly found themselves down. Midway through the quarter, Oliver Bernhardt scored 10 consecutive points to bring the score to 13-19: a layup followed by back-to back threes and another layup.
Unfortunately for the Outlaws, the Bulldogs shot an incredible 68 percent from the field in the first quarter, which
included four of their threepointers for the game. Despite the Bulldogs great shooting, the Outlaws hung in there and shot 59 percent themselves and were only down by nine, 17-24 at the end of the period.
The Bulldogs stayed hot and went on a 6-0 run to start the second quarter. However, the Outlaws dug in defensively and held Creswell scoreless for almost five minutes and scored nine unanswered points, which culminated in an offensive board and putback from Bodie Schar, followed by a highpost jump shot. Teams traded baskets the last two minutes of the period and at the half the Outlaws had closed the gap to five at 29-34.
Sisters’ defense was outstanding in the third quarter and held the Bulldogs to just 21 percent shooting in the period. Coach Chad Rush told The Nugget they used a combination of their 2-3 zone and a triangle-and-two defense to get the job done.
Landen Scott scored the first two baskets in the third to bring the Outlaws to within one at 33-34 just 45 seconds into the quarter. With 5:28 left in the period McDonnell found Bernhardt open on the wing for a three-pointer, which gave the Outlaws a 38-36 lead, which they never gave up for the remainder of the game. Sisters took their largest lead of the quarter at 49-43 when Kale Gardner found Scott streaking downcourt for an easy transition layup with 1:02 left in the period.
The final period was a
defensive battle and neither team scored many points. The first points of the quarter came two-and-a-half minutes in when Scott hit a mid-range jumper to give the Outlaws a six point advantage. The Bulldogs cut the lead to two with 4:08 left to play, but McDonnell caught the ball on the wing and connected on long ball with an assist from Bernhardt to give the Outlaws a bit of breathing room.
Scott made both of his attempts at the foul line with a little under four minutes left in the quarter for the Outlaws’ final points of the game and a seven-point lead. The Outlaws’ defense was the deciding factor in the final stretch of the contest and forced several turnovers.
With the Outlaws ahead by three both teams scrambled for several seconds to control the ball with multiple players diving on the floor and battling for possession of the ball until a jump ball was called with 7.2 seconds left on the clock.
The ball remained with the Bulldogs for a sideline inbounds. McDonnell deflected the first inbounds pass out of bounds. On the ensuring inbounds, the Bulldogs found a way to get it to their best player, but Gardner stuck right with him and forced a tough fadeaway three-point attempt that hit off the back rim and into Bernhardt’s arms to secure the Outlaws’ victory.
Rush said, “I am once again proud and amazed at the resiliency this team showed tonight. Finding themselves
down as many as 13 points and finding a way to come back and steal all the momentum from the Bulldogs is a great testament to the team’s trust in the team and the players. I am so proud of Oliver (Bernhardt) and Bodie (Schar) for stepping into starting roles because of injury and contributing in big ways to help lead this team to victory.
“I thought Teegan (Schwartz) did a great job in his first real varsity minutes of playing his role and getting rebounds on both sides of the floor,” added Rush. “I am excited that we get to have at least two more games with this group of young men.”
Several players scored in double-digits for the Outlaws. Scott led the team with 15 points and also had four rebounds. Bernhardt put up 14 points, and pulled down nine boards, while Schar tallied 10 and had four rebounds. Gardner contributed seven points, four assists, and two steals, and McDonnell added five points.
On Saturday against the Billies, the Outlaws struck first on a Gardner basket. McDonnell followed with a three-pointer to give the Outlaws a 5-2 lead. Sisters went up 11-5 on a Schar layup before the Billies scored the final four points of the quarter to close the Outlaws’ lead to 11-9.
The Billies connected on a three-pointer to start the second period, but the Outlaws went on a 6-0 run to extend their lead to five. Sisters took their biggest lead of the game at 25-15 when Schar
connected on a basket for the Outlaws. At the half the Billies cut the lead to six, 27-21.
Pleasant Hill made a run coming out of the break, and scored the first six points of the third to knot it up at 27-27. Later in the period McDonnell connected on a long ball to put the Outlaws up by four, 36-32. The Billies scored the final four points in the quarter to tie it up 36-36 as teams headed into the final period.
Teams battled back-andforth in the fourth and the score went to 40-40. Then the Billies went on a 10-0 run, and sadly the Outlaws never recovered from the deficit and had to record the loss.
Scott led the scoring effort with 16 points, Gardner and McDonnell followed with eight points each, and Schar added six.
Rush said, “This was a game the team wanted so badly because of the way the game with Pleasant Hill at home just 12 days earlier slipped away from them at the end. Coaches put together a game plan and the players executed it almost flawlessly, holding the Billies’ All-League scorers to just 12 and 13 points this game.
“One big run at the end unfortunately took the game away from us,” added Rush. “However, I am very proud of how the team continues to battle and compete. The team continues to trust the process that has got them this far and trust the teammates that have all contributed to getting them this far.”
Kids turn out to pop-up museum
By Matt Van Slyke Correspondent
Hundreds of children in Sisters enjoyed a pop-up version of a children’s museum that is seeking a more permanent spot in our region.
Children’s Museum of Central Oregon (CMCO) set up its mobile museum at Sisters Elementary School this past Saturday and Sunday.
More than a dozen exhibits allowed hands-on experience with art- and science-focused activities including spin art and “coding mice” – programmable robot toys that move according to children’s commands. In a pint-sized construction zone, kids in orange work vests and yellow hard hats pieced together interlocking roads and wooden-block buildings.
“The mission is to get these experiences out through all of Central Oregon,” said CMCO Program Manager Erica Segal. “We’ve been going to a bunch of elementary schools, either during the school day or for special events. We are working with
Deschutes Public Libraries, and then simultaneously we are working on fundraising for a permanent space.”
Citizens4Community (C4C) sponsored the free event along with Circle of Friends, Sisters Parks & Recreation District, and Sisters Parent Teacher Council. Kellen Klein, executive director of C4C, counted more than 600 visitors over the two days.
“It’s clear there’s a hunger in the community for more kid-friendly activities like this,” Klein said. “We hope to bring CMCO back to town soon, and would love to partner with other groups and businesses to create more family-friendly experiences in Sisters Country.”
Founded in 2015, CMCO initially hosted summer camps and community-event booths. Momentum paused during the pandemic, then came a new board and a shift in focus toward a permanent museum space. Today, CMCO has a land agreement in north Bend, across Highway 97 from Trader Joe’s and the Cascade Village Shopping Center.
“We’re part of an 11-acre development that’s all family- and children-focused businesses. Other entities in that development have started breaking ground. I think COGA (Central Oregon Gymnastics Academy) is putting in another gym. A swim school is going in. There’s a skate park, a food truck lot — it’s going to be really cool,” Segal said.
CMCO is working with a museum design firm and raising millions of dollars to realize a vision.
“We came up with a visitor experience plan that is a STEAM-focused museum with hands-on exhibits that are place-based here in Central Oregon,” said board member Kenady Wilson. “We had an architecture team design the exhibits we want, and now we actually have a location.”
Klein tallied 614 attendees at the Sisters pop-up. He estimates about 400 kids came through.
“It was heartwarming seeing so many community members — plus families from as far away as La Pine
— come out to play on a rainy weekend,” he said. To support CMCO’s
capital campaign with a donation, visit https://www. cmcoregon.org/donate.
Beau Mortimore, age 4, explored the Children’s Museum of Central Oregon at Sisters Elementary School last weekend.
PHOTO BY MATT
Obituaries
Janice Aileen (Richards) Baldwin
September 22, 1934 — February 21, 2025
Our community has lost an angel when dear Jan passed away February 21 due to a serious heart condition.
Jan was born in Los Angeles, California to Byron and Evelyn Richards. She eventually attended Occidental College. After the family moved to Merced, CA she attended and graduated in 1956 from the College of the Pacific, in Stockton, CA with a BA in Education. Jan was married in June of 1956 to Frank R. Baldwin, also a graduate in the same class. Their marriage took place in San Gabriel, CA. They first resided in Ridgecrest, CA where Frank was employed at the Naval Ordnance Test Station and where Jan taught 2nd grade for three years.
In 1959 they moved to San Jose, California where Frank began a career at IBM. Soon Jan gave birth to a daughter, Nancy, and two years later to a son, John. In 1968 the family moved to Sacramento and in 1970 to Alamo, CA where Jan worked as a church secretary and where she launched the Danville Thrift Station, her first thrift store, a business which flourishes to this day.
With Frank’s retirement in 1989 the couple moved to Oregon, initially to Camp Sherman while constructing their new home outside of Sisters. The town was soon to benefit with Jan’s leadership in establishing the Sisters Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store for which she was named Citizen of the Year in 1993. Volunteering her time and talent to many worthy
causes was very important for Jan throughout her life. She was active in her children’s school and her church activities, the thrift stores, hospital auxiliary in CA, SMART, PEO, Volunteers in Action, and the Red Cross. Jan was renowned for her care and assistance to those around her and for those in the wider community. Hers was a lifetime of giving for others. She was also known as a masterful cook and hostess for festive occasions at their home where many dinner parties and celebrations took place. With Frank’s retirement in 1989 they then traveled extensively throughout the world, often to Japan for family visits, sightseeing and skiing both there and in Europe.
Jan is survived by Frank, her husband of 68 years; daughter Nancy (husband, Masanori) of Kobe, Japan; son John (wife, Melissa) of Sisters; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sisters Habitat for Humanity or Sisters Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Douglas Davisson Meyers
March 5, 1930 – September 18, 2024
Doug was born in Portland, Oregon, where he lived all his life. He graduated from Washington High School and then went on to Oregon State College (now Oregon State University), where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. At OSU he met the love of his life, Phyllis Carol Briggs. They were married in 1953 and celebrated 71 years together in June 2024. He remained an enthusiastic Oregon State fan all his life.
Doug spent most of his engineering career with Crown Zellerbach, but also worked at Tindel Machine, Jantzen Marine, and James River Corporation. In the early 70s he joined a small start-up home-building company in Bend.
In 1962-1963, he and a high school friend designed and built an A-frame cabin near Mt. Hood. Construction was by hand, and from mixing concrete to framing to finishing, Doug did a majority of the work himself.
In 1964, he and Phyllis bought a lot near Lake Oswego and built their dream house. Doug was responsible for much of the finish work including the creation of two custom glass-paneled doors. He and Phyllis developed the property with extensive landscaping, a deck designed for entertaining, fruit trees, and a vegetable garden. Here they raised their three children, Leslee, Scott, and Michael, numerous cats, and their beloved dog Satchmo. Doug remained in this home until his death.
Doug was happiest being outdoors, both in his yard and camping and hiking in
the forests around the mountains he loved. “Jeff Park” (at the base of Mt. Jefferson) was a favorite backpacking destination, and he visited that paradise with most members of his family. In addition, he was also a lifelong student of World War II. Much of his reading involved war history and biographies of important figures of that time. He traveled to battlefield sites and often talked about what it was like growing up dominated by the war, and the life-and-death drama drawn from having four family members in different theatre’s of the fight.
He and Phyllis were ardent travelers. In addition to road trips around western North America, they visited Hawaii, Bermuda, Europe, Australia, and Thailand, often multiple times. He also enjoyed visits with his children and grandchildren, eagerly lending a hand and his expertise to their projects as well.
Doug was a skilled and dedicated woodworker. He spent many happy hours in his basement shop, often listening to OSU and Blazer games on the radio. If sports were unavailable or the Beavers were not performing well, he’d turn on classical or big band music and, later in life, took a shine to opera. He and Phyllis also loved live theatre, BBC mysteries, and Rick Steves travelogues. He was highly regarded by his family for his pickle and jam-making prowess.
In 1998, a longtime dream was realized when he and Phyllis bought a small log cabin in Central Oregon.
They went there frequently, often hosting family and friends and making treasured memories. He loved tinkering around the cabin and the one-acre grounds, and getting advice and assistance from the easy-going proprietors in the Sisters community.
Doug is survived by his wife Phyllis, his children, Leslee (Mike) Ortega of McKinney, TX, Scott Meyers (Nancy Urbano) of Tualatin, OR, and Michael (Rochelle) Meyers of West Linn, OR, along with five grandchildren, Bryce Ortega, Kyle Ortega, Madilyn Ortega Bourdon, Aether Meyers, and Elizabeth Meyers, along with nieces Linda Mallory, Penny Lopez, Chris Murphy, and many other relatives with whom he spent countless hours engaged in friendly and sometimes needling conversation.
A Celebration Of Life for Douglas Meyers is planned on Saturday, March 8, from 1 to 3 p.m., at Aerie at Eagle Landing, 10220 SE Causey Ave., Happy Valley, OR 97086. Please RSVP to Leslee, 310-938-7473. Memorial donations may be made to Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB), an organization Doug really loved, at www.opb.org/ give/.
Two Sisters Outlaws qualify for state wrestling competition
By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent
Carter Van Meter and Tyson Kemp will represent Sisters High School at the OSAA Wrestling State Championships next weekend.
Van Meter, a senior, and Kemp, a junior, both placed third in the Special District 4 Championships held February 21-22 in Umatilla.
The top three finishers in each weight class advanced to the state tournament.
Wrestlers from eight 3A squads took part in the tournament. The Hilanders of Burns qualified 15 wrestlers to state and outpointed Nyssa for the team title 364-333. Sisters finished seventh with 63.5 points among the five Outlaws competing in the meet.
Van Meter will return to state with a 38-20 record in the 126-pound class.
After a bye in the first round, Van Meter laid down Anthony Castaneda of Riverside in just 48 seconds.
Henry Barnes of Burns got the best of Van Meter in the semi-final with a pin at 1:18, but Van Meter rebounded with a quick pin (0:47) of Eric Pullen of Riverside to earn his shot at claiming third place.
In his toughest match of the weekend, Van Meter prevailed with a technical fall victory over Alijah Oviedo of Nyssa 21-6 to place third.
“Carter is such a great kid and an exciting wrestler to watch,” said Head Coach David Kemp. “He has entertained us with his amazing speed and skill.”
Tyson Kemp, a junior who entered the meet with a 19-6 record, took a similar route on his way to a state berth. After a bye, Kemp pinned Rowan Ward of Vale in 44 seconds. He then faced off in the semi-final round against Nash Frorer of Nyssa, who sported a 20-3 record on the season. Kemp put up a good fight before being pinned at the 4:52 mark.
In the consolation round, Kemp took out Karter Cunha of Vale lightning quick in just 23 seconds, setting him up for the shot to qualify for state. There was no drama in the third place match as Kemp wasted no time putting the hurt on Leroy Phillips-Yale of Nyssa in just 43 seconds.
“Tyson overcame an early season knee injury and had a hard time getting back into competition, so for him to make it to state in the 150pound division that was stacked with talent is incredibly satisfying” said Coach Kemp.
Tyson’s younger brother Zack, 132 pounds, came close to joining him at the state meet, but fell just short in fourth place.
“The 132-pound class was also deep,” said Coach Kemp.
The freshman followed a bye with a loss in the quarterfinal round to Trask Lardy of Burns by technical fall (16-1) and had to work his way through the consolation rounds. After another bye Kemp went to overtime against John Kamenicky of
Vale and won a sudden victory and stayed alive in his quest for state.
He managed a major decision victory in the next match over Sam Lopez of Riverside
21-8 setting the stage for a rematch against Lardy in the third place final. Lardy ultimately pinned Kemp (2:15) leaving him in fourth place.
“Zack has a great freshman
season with 31 total wins, multiple tournament finals, and one tournament win,” said Coach Kemp.
Jace Owens went 2-2 and placed fifth in the 165-pound class to round out the scoring for the Outlaws. “Jace showed a lot of determination and personal growth and showed a willingness to improve and stand out as a leader of the team,” said Coach Kemp.
Brennan Frutos, 157 pounds, also competed for the team, going 0-2.
The OSAA State Championships are set for February 27–March 1 at Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum in Portland which serves as the state site for all classifications, boys and girls, under one roof.
Tyson Kemp, left, and Carter Van Meter are headed to State.
PHOTO BY CHARLIE KANZIG
‘Moving fast and breaking glass’ in your National Forest
By Maret Pajutee Columnist
As we hear more about the dismissal of Federal employees to save money and trim waste in the Government, the methodology echoes a Technology Industry motto describing “The Hacker Way.” In 2012, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg explained that although the word “hacker” may have a negative connotation, speed and breaking the status quo was really about building things quickly or testing the boundaries of what’s possible. He added “Like most things it can be used for good or bad.”
Many of us live in Sisters because of its natural beauty, recreation opportunities, and quality of life. A big part of that is the thousands of acres of public land that surround our communities providing a huge playground, clean water, forest products, and open spaces. The people that watch over your National Forests choose that career for many reasons, but overwhelmingly it is because of their love of the forest and a dedication to public service.
I worked for the Sisters Ranger District for 25 years, as a seasonal fire lookout, and later as a biologist/planner for collaborative forestry and recreation. There were ups and downs, lawsuits, political mandates, reductions in force, budget issues, and wildfires. As 55 percent of the Sisters District burned over the last two decades, we were all part of the “Fire Militia,” called
upon to do what was needed to protect people, homes, and natural resources. Members of the Forest Service family, we tried our best to take care of each other and the public we served and we weren’t in it for the money. Through it all there was care for employees, communication from our leaders, and transfer of important work as people moved on.
As the shattering of the Forest Service began on Valentine’s Day weekend with the most vulnerable employees in probationary periods it is important to highlight a few things.
Many of those affected had been exemplary employees that worked as temporaries for years and competed for positions. Many were the future of the Forest Service.
Despite good performance reviews, they got termination letters wrongly stating “The Agency finds, based on your performance, that you have not demonstrated that your future employment at the Agency would be in the public interest.” These are not faceless lazy bureaucrats. These are real people who chose public service, did important work, and loved their jobs. This has real effects, and it was done in an incredibly cruel and insensitive way by the Administration.
If you have been to the Sisters Office in the last seven years you have probably been greeted by the smiling face of Lorelei Mariana. Lorelei said “I was a front liner and it was my dream job. I always
went home happy at night.”
Last Saturday she got a call at home from the Forest Supervisor warning her a termination email was coming. She said “Reading that email was like a knife to the gut.” Despite her exemplary performance which led to a permanent seasonal job in August of 2023, it said she was being fired for her performance. The front desk is one of the hardest jobs because you have to know a lot about everything or who to call. Lorelei said she didn’t mind her 96-mile daily commute from near La Pine.
“I’m going to miss the whole thing, sharing the beauty of this place. People coming in saying ‘What should I do here?’ My favorite joke was to tell them to ‘Take a hike’ as I gave them maps and information.” She wondered who would do her work now.
The ramifications of that weekend are still unclear. Employees are not allowed to speak and fear retribution. The loss of employees on the Deschutes and Sisters may be relatively small so far, but it appears that the Ochoco National Forest may have lost almost 30 percent of its workforce. And there are direct, indirect, and cumulative effects. Positions across the forests and region are often shared to help out where the greatest need exists.
Employees are finding themselves distracted from their normal work getting ready for field and fire season, with the uncertainty resulting from the freeze to summer hiring and funds for
contracts. Some believe this is part of the goal, demoralizing the federal workforce so they feel helpless and quit. It’s hard to be productive when you feel targeted as low productivity and unvalued.
It has been especially painful to read social media posts from some in our community, some from people we worked alongside for years, reveling in the malice of the federal cuts. But Sisters has always been a supportive community and I know that employees also feel that love.
Your public servants are tiptoeing through the glass shards looking for a way forward on their mission to care for the land and serve people. Don’t look away. You may not know the new faces, but please get to know them. It’s
hard to hate up close. They are good people.
The Sisters Ranger District has been a key part of the community since 1908. District employees are your neighbors, community volunteers, and customers. Tell your local politicians what’s important to you about your public lands and express your support to your local feds if you can, they are hurting. No one questions that there is waste and even fraud in government. But let’s look more carefully. Efficiency is good, but surgery is best done with a scalpel, not a hammer. Even Facebook changed its motto in 2014 to “Move fast with stability.”
Sometimes the glass that breaks is holding something important.
Shrove Tuesday
Pancake Supper
e Episcopal Church of Transfiguration is hosting a pancake supper for the communit y on Tuesday, March 4, f rom 5 to 7 p.m. e menu will include buttermilk and blueberry pancakes , sausage link s , Gayla’s homemade applesauce, a variet y of syrups, orange juice, milk , co ee, tea, and gluten-free pancakes by request. Sug gested donations: Adults $5; Children under 12 $4; Family of 4 $12; Children under 4 Free. 121 N . Brook s Camp Road. Questions: Phil at 541-280 -7612. Sisters Rodeo Parade Sisters Rodeo Parade applications are now open. Be part of a longtime tradition in Sisters . Limited entries and the deadline is May 15 . Visit www.sistersrodeo.com , click on Events/Par ade and proceed to fill out the application. Line-up will go out around first of June.
Free Lunches for Seniors
For those 60+, the Council on Aging of Central Oregon o ers
a f un, no-cost social lunch every Tuesday, 11 a .m. to 1 p.m. at Sisters Community Church, 130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy. No reservations needed. No-cost Grab-N-Go lunche s take place weekly on Wed . and urs ., from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Call 541-797-9367
SISTERS LIBRARY COMING EVENTS
Emergenc y Preparedness for Wildfires, E ar thquakes
On Sunday, March 2, f rom 2 to 3 p.m. in the Sisters Librar y Communit y Room. Learn how to prepare for unforeseen chaos Disasters usually strike without warning. Are you as ready as you need to be? is session will equip adults with the knowledge and tools to prepare for wildfires , earthquakes , and unforeseen chaos . Learn how to create e ective emergenc y plans , assemble essential gear, est ablish reliable communication contingencies , and provide meaningful assistance to others in times of crisis
Questions? Contact laurelh@ deschuteslibrary.org
Family Planetarium
Exploration
On Friday, March 7, f rom 1:45 to 3 p.m. explore the chaos of the cosmos in an inflatable planetarium! ere will be t wo viewings: 1:45 to 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 to 3 p.m. Space is available on a first-come-first-served basis . Held at Sisters Library Communit y Room. is program is recommended for children ages 6 and up, and all children must be accompanied by a caregiver. Contact elsah@ deschuteslibrary.org , 541-31210 62 with questions
THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS
Tuesday, March 4
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Episcopal Church of Transfiguration
Central Oregon Federated Republican Meeting COFRW (Central Oregon Federated Republican Women) meet s the first ursday of every month f rom 10:45 a.m. (registration) to 1 p.m. at Aspen Lakes Golf Club in Sisters. Come learn f rom guest speakers , and hear and question local and state candidates. Meetings include lunch for $27. RSVP required to attend. Learn more about upcoming meetings and speakers, and RSVP at COFRWBend@gmail.com
Free Weekly Meal Service
Family Kitchen hosts weekly togo hot meals on Tuesdays , 4:30 to 6 p.m., at Sisters Community Church, 130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy. Visit www.FamilyKitchen .org
Weekly Food Pantry
Changes
Wellhouse Food Pantr y has a new name: CORE Market . It is still located at 222 N . Trinity Way in Sisters . Market hours are now Mondays , f rom 1 to 2 p.m. Info: 541-588-2332.
Living Well With Dementia Sisters Suppor t Groups
Living Well now o ers t wo support groups . A support group for the care partners and family of those diagnosed with some form of dementia meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month f rom 1 to 2:30 p.m . at Sisters Senior Living, 411 E . Carpenter Ln. A support group for the person diagnosed with some form of dementia in the early stages meets the same days and times , also at e Lodge. Info: 541-6 47-0 052.
Sisters Garden Club Meeting
Sisters Garden Club invites the public to their monthly meeting on Saturday, March 8. e presentation will be by Benji, owner of Mahonia Farms, who will speak about pests in the garden. e meeting is at Sisters Communit y Church , 130 0 W McKenzie Hw y. e meeting starts at 10 a .m., with doors opening at 9:30.
Habitat rif t Store
Now Open
e new carpet is in and Habitat rif t Store is open for business! Store hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations are accepted Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ank you for your patience during the closure
STARS Seeks Volunteers to Transpor t Patients
Help Sisters Countr y residents get to nonemergency medical appointments in Sisters Redmond, and Bend . Attend a free t wo-hour training. Emails from STARS dispatchers allow you to accept dates and times that work for your schedule, and a mileage reimbursement is included. Learn more at w ww starsride.org and volunteer to keep Sisters healthy one ride at a time.
Americ an Legion and VFW VF W Post 8138 and American Legion Post 86 meet the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at Pine Meadow Village Clubhouse, 596 W. Je erson Ave Email SistersVeterans@gmail.com for information
STAR S Seeks
Dispatch Volunteers
While working from home, help STAR S transport Sisters Country resident s to nonemergenc y medical appointments . Needed: A computer, the abilit y to use online apps, and a telephone. Call 541-9 04-5545
Monthly Songwriters’ Sharing Circle
Be in a creative community and be inspired while sharing songs , being a great listener, and providing feedback. Second Sunday of the month, 6 -8 p.m., in the Sisters Folk Festival “JA M Studio” upstairs in the Sisters Art Work s building , 20 4 W Adams Ave. Free. Info: 541-9778494, jessaneene@msn.com.
PIPER
Piper is a smar t and playf ul, 1-year-old, mixed-bre ed dog eager to explore the world around her. Her a ectionate
SISTER S- ARE A C HURCH ES
Baha’i Faith
For information, devotions, study groups , etc., contac t Shauna Rocha 541-6 47-9826 • www.bahai.org www.bahai.us • www.bahaiteachings .org
Calvar y Church
484 W. Washington St. , Ste. C & D • 541-588-6288 10 a .m. Sunday Worship • www.ccsisters.org
Chapel in the Pines Camp Sherman • 541-815-9153
10 a .m. Sunday Worship
e Church of Jesus Christ of L at ter-Day Saint s
452 Trinit y Way • Branch President, 5 41-977-5559;
10 a .m. Sunday Sac rament Meeting
e Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration
121 N Brook s Camp Rd. • 541-549-7087
www.transfiguration-sisters.org
8:30 a .m. Ecumenical Sunday Worship
10 :15 a .m. Episcopal Sunday Worship
e Resting Place meeting at Sisters Communit y Church, 130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy www.restingplace.us • hello@restingplace.us 5 p.m. Sunday Worship
Seventh-Day Adventist Church
541-815-9848
11 a .m. S aturday Worship
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (ELCA) 386 N . Fir Street • 541-549-5831 www.shepherdof thehillsluther anchurch.com
10 a .m. Sunday Worship
Sisters Church of the N az arene 67130 Har rington Loop Rd. • 541-389-8960 www.sistersnaz .org • info@sistersnaz .org
10 a .m. Sunday Worship
Sisters Communit y Church (Nondenominational)
130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy. • 541-549-1201 www.sisterschurch.com • info@sisterschurch.com
7:30 a .m. Daybreak Ser vice • 9:30 a .m. Sunday Worship
St . Edward the Mar tyr Roman Catholic Churc h
123 Trinit y Way • 541-549-9391
5:3 0 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass • 9 a .m. Sunday Mass
12 p.m. Monday Mass • 8 a .m. Tuesday-Friday Mass Wellhouse Churc h 442 Trinit y Way • 541-549-4184 ht tps://wellhousechurch.churchcenter.com
10 a .m. Sunday Worship
POLICY: Nonprofits, schools , churches , birth, engagement, wedding , and anniversar y notices may run at no
Nordic skiers compete at state
By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent
Sisters High athletes competed in two days of racing at the Oregon Interscholastic Ski Racing Association-Nordic (OISRAN) state championships held February 21-22 at Mt. Bachelor.
A total of 11 teams took part in the meet including Summit, Bend High, Redmond/Ridgeview, Hood River, Corvallis, Caldera, Mountain View, South Eugene, La Pine, and Sisters. OISRAN is the organizing body for high school ski racing in Oregon, similar to the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA). The Nordic and Alpine ski teams compete under the OISRAN banner and operate as “club” sports.
In the skating race on Friday, Spencer Tisdel led the Outlaws in 17th place among 88 racers with a time of 14:48 over the 5-kilometer course.
Will Mowry of Bend won the race going away in 12:43. Other finishers for the Outlaws included Ben Hayner 16:11 (29th), Emerson Backus 17:36 (48th), and Jack Turpen 18:11 (58th).
In Saturday’s classic 4-kilometer race Mowry claimed the individual title, and Tisdel was once again the top Outlaw, placing 22nd in 16:29. Hayner finished in 17:39 (32nd), Backus in 19:03 (44th), and Turpen in 22:27 (70th) among 83 racers.
The Outlaws placed seventh among nine teams in the relay, which was the grand finale of the meet. Mountain View took the team title overall.
The three Outlaw girls competing on Friday stuck together in mid-pack within 14 seconds of one another. Kiara Martin crossed first for the team in 21:18 (44th), followed by Ava Riehle in 21:22 (45th), and Ella Eby in 21:32 (48th).
Sophia Capozzi of Summit won the race in 14:24.
Riehle led the Outlaws in the classic race, clocking 24:01 for 52nd place. Martin was next in 25:47 (57th) and Eby followed in 27:28 (69th).
The girls did not field a relay team and placed ninth among eleven teams in the overall standings.
Capozzi also captured top honors in the classic race in 14:45 to take the overall individual combined title.
Co-coach Tiffany Tisdel said the warm temperatures were both a blessing and curse.
“Spring-like air temperatures made it comfortable for the racers, but also resulted in unpredictable snow conditions,” she said. “Friday’s afternoon skate race course had clumps of snow and pine debris from snow falling off the trees, but Saturday morning was cool and the snow held up well for the girls’ race. The boys’ race was a waxing challenge as temperatures shifted dramatically just before the start.”
She continued, “Regardless the kids embraced the challenge and skied with a lot of heart!”
With all the team members being seniors, with the exception of sophomore Hayner, Coach Jeff Husmann had to say goodbye to a group on which he heaped praise.
“We have just really enjoyed this group of kids. We are the only Nordic team that is made up entirely of kids who do both Alpine and Nordic.
“These kids balance a
whole lot and we have just been happy that they have made room for this lifelong sport,” he continued. “This group is so enthusiastic and supportive of each other as well as very coachable. The state race is a great celebration of the season. What sticks with me about this team are the sunset skis up at Hoodoo and their willingness to get out there and have fun. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to get to know these wonderful student/athletes.”
The Alpine State Championships are set for March 6-7 at Mt. Ashland.
SISTERS-AREA EVENTS & Enter tainment
WEDNESDAY • FEBRUARY 26
Sisters Movie House & Café Spring ADVART: "Women’s Adventure Film Tour 2025" Part of the Adventure & Art series. 6:45 p.m. Tickets $17 at www.sistersmoviehouse.com. Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em 5:30 p.m. to close upstairs. 21+. $50 buy-in, freezeout.
THURSDAY • FEBRUARY 27
Luckey's Woodsman Trivia: "Tap Takeover Trivia" with Oblivion Brewing and Legends Cider on site pouring samples and providing swag and prizes for winners. 5:30 p.m. Info: www.luckeyswoodsman.com.
FRIDAY • FEBRUARY 28
The Belfr y Community Social Dance Family-friendly ol’ fashioned community social dance featuring fiddling and dance calling by local youth strings dance band Scandalous Chutney 6 to 8:30 p.m. Free; donations benefit Sisters Middle School Outlaw Strings Club Presented by C4C in partnership with SFF Presents. Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
MONDAY • MARCH 3
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.
MONDAY • MARCH 4
Ski Inn Live Music: Bob Baker & Mark Barringer Enjoy an eclectic musical landscape with Bob Baker on fiddle and Mark Barringer bringing strong vocals and trademark guitar work. 6 to 8 p.m. Free admission. Info: https://bobbakerviolin.com/duets.
WEDNESDAY • MARCH 5
Sisters Movie House & Café Spring ADVART: "Becoming Led Zeppelin" Part of the Adventure & Art series. 6:45 p.m. Tickets $17 at www.sistersmoviehouse.com.
Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em 5:30 p.m. to close upstairs. 21+. $20 (add'l $5 when bounty chip is played).
THURSDAY, MARCH 6
Sisters Fire Hall Bluegrass Jam with Sisters Fire District staff and friends, 6 to 9:30 p.m. Come to listen or play along!
FRIDAY • MARCH 7
The Belfr y Live Music: Beth Wood shares an intimate evening of music and poetry reading in celebration of her new book of poetry "My Name Is Another Word."
7 p.m. Tickets and information at: www.belfryevents.com.
Pine Meadow Ranch Workshop: Fitted Nuno Felted Vest with Flóra Carlile-Kovács. Workshop runs March 7, 8, and 9, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $450 (supplies included). For more information or to register: RoundhouseFoundation.org/events.
Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
SUNDAY • MARCH 9
Paulina Springs Books Sunday Scrabble 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Come to play Scrabble, socialize, and drink coffee. Open to all. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
WEDNESDAY • MARCH 12
Fri., March 7 • 7 p.m. Beth W ood concert/poetry reading Belfr yEvents.com $20
Thu., March 13 • 7 p.m. Brok en Compas s Bluegr as s melodicoriginals& fave covers Sat., March 15 • 7 p.m. Skillethe ad and Darin Gentr y’ s s Old Time Machine original,traditional, modern BendTicket.com $20 • 7 You’re Invited Come listen or play with us! Thurs., March 6 6-9:3 0 PM
Sisters Movie House & Café Spring ADVART: "Fly Fishing Film Tour 2025" Part of the Adventure & Art series. 6:45 p.m. Tickets $17 at www.sistersmoviehouse.com.
Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em 5:30 p.m. to close upstairs. 21+. $20 (add'l $5 when bounty chip is played).
THURSDAY, MARCH 13
The Barn Dance Party: Lunar Eclipse Dance Party ull Moon After Hours Dance Party with DJ Mooch, 8 to 11 p.m. Tickets and info: www thebarninsisters.com/events.
The Belfr y Live Music: Broken Compass Bluegrass e a fresh force on the bluegrass scene recognized for their tight arrangements, tasteful musicianship and distinguished songwriting skills. 7 p.m. Presented by 4Peaks Presents. Tickets and info: www.belfryevents.com.
FRIDAY • MARCH 14
Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
Sisters Run: Lucky Leprechaun 5K /10K Costume contest, bag pipes, finisher party at Luckey's Woodsman. Benefits Sisters Rotary/Family Access Network. Register at www.runsistersrun.com. MUSIC, COMMUNITY & SPIRITS
SATURDAY • MARCH 15
Spencer Tisdel turned in top performances for the Outlaws Nordic skiing squad.
PHOTO BY JACK TURPEN
Fremont bought salmon and horses from Native Americans they met along the river. Fremont collected fossils and described chasm-like valleys that made travel impractical for wagons and barely possible with horses. He saw huge salmon traps in the water.
The first land boundary in the area was the Treaty with the Warm Springs Tribes in 1855. Tribes retained traditional hunting, fishing, and gathering rights on the entire Metolius Valley and the ceded lands beyond. Ten years later, soldiers finished the road from west to east and Camp Polk. After they left, settlers started trickling in on wagon roads.
Hatton reported that 1881 land surveys showed five homesteads in the Upper Metolius valley. In 1890 the Allinghams built a real house by the river with lumber milled nearby. The President created a Forest Reserve over much of the basin in 1893, a precursor of the National Forest. Ranger Perry South came in 1906 as the National Forest began and the Allingham ranch house became a Ranger Station for decades. Ninety-four percent of the Metolius basin was designated as public land.
By 1916 the government was encouraging people to lease land and build summer homes along the river. Sherman County farmers came to camp after harvest
and jokingly called it “Camp Sherman.” Parties included picnics, ice cream, and fireworks. Fishing was a favorite pastime with a fish limit of 80 until it changed to 30. Tourist resorts appeared near Heising Spring and along the Metolius River and Lake Creek and in 1919 The Bend Bulletin claimed, “There is not a trip in Central Oregon you will enjoy more than one to the Metolius.”
In the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) set up in what is now Riverside Campground and the young men, many from back east, began building things: fire lookouts, roads, picnic shelters, and fireplaces, sending home $25 of their monthly salary of $30. Campgrounds proliferated along the river, with CCCbuilt rustic stone fireplaces. By the early 1940s the CCC boys were gone, many off to war, but the attraction of the Metolius continued to grow. As equipment evolved, the logging of large trees accelerated. Most private lands had already been logged. New laws to protect wilderness and special rivers came about in the 1960s and 28 percent of the basin’s mountain backdrop was protected as wilderness. In 1965, Round Butte Dam on the Deschutes began disrupting fish migration to
to exile in Alaska if he didn’t get the cut out. The next couters, and fireplaces, war, but the attraction of the the sea and in two years the
the sea and in two years the salmon runs were gone. With time came changes in public values for the beautiful scenery and sense of place. The proposal to log old growth trees on the road into Camp Sherman raised alarm and birthed several conservation groups that still exist today. The Forest Service starting asking people what they thought in listening sessions in the 1980s, although bosses threatened the Ranger to exile in Alaska if he didn’t get the cut out. The next couple decades were litigious, with lawsuits over timber theft and logging in protected areas.
In the 1990s, there were new protections for old growth forests and the Metolius, which was designated as a Wild and Scenic River having unique values. Studies showed it still had pristine water, but summer use was damaging some
areas. It was a stronghold for threatened bull trout.
Natural fire cycles once thinned small trees and brush in drier areas or pushed a reset button in high elevations. After a 100 years of fire suppression forests changed. The basin started burning in a big way. The 2003 B&B Fire was the largest in the history of the Deschutes National Forest. Lawsuits proliferated over the effects of large-scale fire salvage. And Central Oregon continued to boom, bringing more day trippers to the basin.
In the next 20 years after litigation lessons in the “school of hard knocks,” the Forest Service starting working with former adversaries on common interests. Millions of dollars were funneled into the dream of fish reintroduction with the relicensing of dams on the Deschutes River, and a few salmon began to return to their home waters. Partners like the Friends of the Metolius paid for water quality
CCC shelters. Others blocks eye salmon streams. With COVID in the 2020s the basin was overrun by peo-
to today. What’s next? Warming and drying trends
monitoring and restored CCC shelters. Others like the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council and Trout Unlimited led restoration work. As blocks of logged private timber lands were proposed for housing, resorts, and golf courses the Deschutes Land Trust purchased and worked to restore lands around sockeye salmon streams. With COVID in the 2020s the basin was overrun by people camping to get away and restore their spirits. And here we come to today. What’s next? Warming and drying trends will likely continue to intensify disturbances like wildfires and insects. The draw of Sisters Country is expected to increase Sisters’ population by 130 percent in the next 25 years. Those who love the Metolius can support all those that take care of these lands, volunteer to help out, and sit a while under an old growth tree by this remarkable river in our backyard.
E AT INGFresh
MAHONIA GARDENS
Cooking good, simple food from fresh ingredients is one of life’s great pleasures — and a key to long-term wellness. Mahonia Gardens has been providing those fresh ingredients to Sisters Country since the farm was established in 2013.
One way to consistently enjoy the benefits of farm-fresh produce is to sign up for a Mahonia Gardens CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share, which can be accessed through The Stand at 254 E.
Driving east on Lower Bridge Road towards Terrebonne, after passing Rainshadow Organics and Faith Hope & Charity Vineyard, you’ll crest a hill to see 134 acres of rolling hillside dotted with over 1,000 alpacas grazing and frolicking. Welcome to Alpaca Country Estates, owned by Nancy Chapel.
As a former schoolteacher, Nancy loves engaging with visitors of all ages, especially when they experience their first alpaca nosekiss or take a gentle alpaca for a walk. The ranch offers a variety of activities, from family friendly tours to relaxing picnics among the junipers. Visit the ranch boutique, where you’ll find alpaca clothing and home décor. Don’t forget to bring a lunch so you can pause to take in the pastoral and mountain views! Call 541-504-4226 to schedule your visit.
While many are familiar with alpacas for their luxurious fleece, few realize that they are also a sustainable farmed animal. Alpacas have been a source of nutrition for centuries in South America, and worldwide.
For a heart-healthy alternative to traditional meats, alpaca meat is lean, low in fat, and one of the lowest in cholesterol, while being high in protein and iron with a mild,
Adams Ave. There’s no set pick-up day; you can use your credit on any day May through October.
The Stand is a curated showcase of the best that local farmers and producers have to offer, featuring seasonal products primarily from Mahonia Gardens, supplemented by handpicked items from trusted local growers.
You can find pasture-raised eggs and meats, seasonal organic berries, flour, honey, flowers, and more — all sourced from farmers.
“We strive to provide exceptional quality vegetables to the community using organic practices,” says farmer Benji Nagel.
Farm-fresh produce offers many benefits.
“It tastes better; it does have more nutrition; it’s grown in really good soil,” says Nagel.
Connecting with a local farm through a CSA share also helps build a vibrant, localized community through fostering face-toface relationships between growers and consumers.
Sign up now through May 1 for your CSA share. A variety of options are available at www.mahoniagardens.com/csa
Alpaca Countr y Est ates
to substitute in your recipes!
Heart-healthy alpaca meat is low in fa t and one of the lowest in cholesterol of any meat, high in protein and iron, with no gamy taste.
non-gamy taste.
Alpaca Country Estates offers a variety of alpaca meat products, including filet mignon, ribeye, New York strip, sirloin, sausages, pepperoni, and brats.
Alpaca meat can be purchased directly at the ranch located at 70397 Buckhorn Rd. in Terrebonne or ordered online at www.ACEAlpacaMeat.com. Find delicious recipes on the website too!
SEED TO TABLE
Seed to Table has been connecting the Sisters community to fresh, l ocally grow n produce for many years, through education programs and through its produce share program, built on the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model. Through a CSA, people pay in advance for a season of naturally grown, fresh, local vegetables. Seed to Table vegetables are grown within organic practice guidelines.
There are many benefits to purchasing a produce share. The food is harvested mere hours before you pick it up, which means it is fresh and stays fresh longer.
Executive Director Audrey Tehan notes that customers tell her “it often lasts longer in their fridge than store-bought produce.”
The flavor is noticeably more full and strong.
“Our soil and the cold weather can really promote a lot of sweetness in the crop and nutrient uptake from the soil as well,” Tehan says.
A 30-week Seed to Table produce share helps build strong community food systems and supports Seed to Table programs like K-12 farm-based education, veggie distribution, and management of Sisters Farmers Market. It also builds relationships between grower and consumer, reduces “food miles,” and conserves topsoil.
Pick-up times are Wednesdays 3 to 5:45 p.m. at Seed to Table Farm at the corner of North Dee Wright Street and East Black Butte Avenue.
Sources of shame Consider THIS
Mitchel Luftig Columnist
In “Enlightenment Is An Accident,” Tim Burkett writes, “If we feel ashamed of something as adults, whether we are consciously aware of it or not, it is most likely evoked by a childhood memory.”
I wet the bed until I was 9 years old, which was a source of profound shame. I was a deep sleeper, oblivious to the signals my body sent me during the night that I should
wake up and use the bathroom. I awoke so often to sodden pajamas and sheets, my skin became irritated.
My parents tried to cure me of my bed-wetting. My pediatrician prescribed a stimulant to see whether sleeping less soundly would reduce my bed-wetting. I remember lying awake all night long, staring at the ceiling.
My parents also tried waking me up to go to the bathroom, but I was still mostly asleep and the experiment was unsuccessful.
Bed-wetting ruined sleepovers with my best friend, Howie. We would have a great time clowning around before bedtime. But the next morning I would awake to soaked sheets, a strong dose of humiliation, and fear that Howie’s mom would never invite me over for another sleepover.
I lived in parallel universes: by day I was a regular kid, striving to reach the highest reading group, playing touch football with my friends, but by night I was a bedwetter, a little baby with no control over his body.
Burkett says, “The shame we feel today may catapult us right back to the rawness
we felt then. We may feel off balance, unworthy, or simply want to hide, just as we did then. Shame damages our image of ourselves as no other emotion can, causing us to feel flawed, inferior, even unlovable. Shame is a response to helplessness, and the indignities suffered.”
A few years ago I had an experience that catapulted me right back to the rawness of my childhood shame. I was riding the ski bus to Mt. Bachelor. But I sliced my thumb open while rearranging skis in the rear carrier.
I clambered aboard the bus, bleeding from my thumb, and all I could think about was that I was going to drip blood onto one of the seats or onto a fellow passenger. A kind woman, witnessing my distress, offered me a bandage but it was soon soaked through.
I became convinced that all of the passengers were staring at me, thinking about how foolish I was to cut myself, exposing them to blood borne pathogens and potential illness. I felt a rising panic. A desperation to flee the bus. I was experiencing a full-blown anxiety attack.
When I got off the ski
Portraits OF SISTERS
bus I knew that I should find someone with a first aid kit and get myself patched up, but I didn’t feel I deserved anyone’s help because I had caused so much distress to the other passengers on the bus. So I wrapped a paper towel around my thumb, jammed my hands into my gloves and skied for an hour. But I couldn’t shake the belief that everyone on the bus had been disgusted with my behavior.
Burkett says, “Recognizing and acknowledging shame, rather than denying or avoiding it, is the first step. When we start to feel depleted, inferior, not good enough or defective, shame may be kicking in.”
I was unsettled by the ski bus experience. I wanted a better tool for soothing my anxiety. I refocused my mindfulness practice on feeling better about myself, feeling worthy of others’ caring and kindness, ending my practice of projecting my own critical thoughts onto strangers and friends alike,
making them responsible for what felt wrong with me.
“Enlightenment Is An Accident” has helped me understand how the similarity between bleeding uncontrollably from my thumb on the ski bus and peeing uncontrollably in my bed as a little boy, had triggered an avalanche of shame.
“When we face shame and its effect on our lives, our wounds do not disappear. But through self-awareness and self-compassion, the shame no longer has the capacity to imprison our heart and mind.”
I wish to believe in my Basic Goodness, that I am inherently worthy of love, care, and kindness, to recenter my well-being within myself so that ultimately I can free my heart and mind from the prison of my shame.
I will always carry that little boy inside of me, but the helplessness I felt as a child, and the indignities I suffered, no longer need to define me as an adult or constrain my happiness.
of her duty station in Corpus Christi, Texas, eading, “Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way.” made the choice to lead that day and her path to Sisters has reflected her sense of duty to community and country since. She stunned her family when she enlisted in the Navy at age 18. In Corpus Christi, she was an Aviation Admin but her decision to a bachelor’s degree in sociology and s commission in 1983. She ultimately served a total of 22 tiring at the rank of Lieutenant Commander Japan and the Pentagon. She specialized in training oughout her career. Her and husband, Jim, vacation and made the permanent move in local opportunities to serve and became one ounders of STARS - Sisters Transportation and Ride e. She also assisted in implementing the ride booking software whole process from request to delivery. In 2024, oundtrip rides with drivers completing more ennie, serving her community was the next eer serving this country. “I feel I was always service. It’s in my makeup,” she says
Meanwhile, of highest concern in Sisters is the potential impact of workforce reductions at the Sisters Ranger District especially with respect to wildfire. Various media reports tell of a range of cuts up to 45 or 50 throughout the entirety of the Deschutes National Forest’s three districts.
Liz Crandall a probationary Field Ranger in the BendFort Rock District, has given various media interviews saying that she was among 16 receiving termination notices in her district. There has apparently been one cut identified at Sisters Ranger District (see Maret Pajutee commentary, page 9)
Nobody can report with certainty precise cuts as the Forest Service, a unit of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has imposed a virtual media embargo. The Nugget sought factual data beginning with outreach to Sisters District Ranger Ian Reid and Forest Public Affairs Officer Kaitlyn Webb in Bend, both of whom were unable to comment.
Larry Moore at USDA headquarters in Washington, DC, would only tell The Nugget that, “Secretary Rollins fully supports the President’s directive to improve government, eliminate inefficiencies, and strengthen USDA’s many services to the American people. We have a solemn responsibility to be good stewards of the American people’s hard-earned taxpayer dollars and to ensure that every dollar spent goes to serve the people, not the bureaucracy. As part of this effort, USDA has made the difficult decision to release about 2,000 probationary, non-firefighting employees from the Forest Service. To be clear, none of these individuals were operational firefighters. Released
employees were probationary in status, many of whom were compensated by temporary IRA funding. It’s unfortunate that the Biden administration hired thousands of people with no plan in place to pay them long term. Secretary Rollins is committed to preserving essential safety positions and will ensure that critical services remain uninterrupted.”
In 2022 the Sisters Ranger District reported a headcount of 80 employees, of all categories. By 2024 that number had grown to 118 with an infusion of funding by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act sponsored by Congressman Peter DeFazio of Oregon. The act authorized $1.2 trillion in spending.
Growth in government payroll accelerated in recent years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment growth in government accelerated in 2023 (+709,000), exceeding growth in 2022 (+299,000) and 2021 (+392,000). Government employment recovered to its prepandemic level in September 2023, surpassing its February 2020 level by 209,000 in December 2023.
That was all of government. The federal share was 85,000.
The Forest Service has enacted cuts of 3,400, 10 percent of its workers.
Even before President Trump took office, the Forest Service announced In October of 2024 that it was not hiring seasonal non-fire employees in 2025 as it had in the past.
“We understand that this will reverberate across all
national forests,” said Kristin Carver, public affairs specialist for the Forest Service Pacific Northwest. “A few examples of their valuable work include helping in maintaining trails, campgrounds, and other recreational facilities among many other duties.”
Sisters School Superintendent Curt Scholl told The Nugget that as of now he does not expect any significant impact based on initial Administration actions.
“The District gets about $435,000 in federal funding,” he told The Nugget. “Our total budget is $20 million so it’s not a big factor but it would hurt us if lost.”
Scholl explained that most of the federal funding is for Title 1 programs, a broadranging program to assist low-income families. Key among Title 1 programs is its reduced-price lunch program.
Asked if the school board was acting or making plans for any funding disruptions, Scholl said, “We are just starting our budget planning process and that is the likely place to discuss it.”
In terms of any impact to the City, City Manager Jordan Wheeler said, “No, the orders are not directly impacting us yet, especially on the operations side. Of course, there is the potential of indirect impacts and future effects, but nothing quantifiable for us yet. That’s just from the City side — I’m sure there are broader community impacts such as the reduction in federal workforce, including the USFS, that will be felt here.”
Federal footprint is large in Oregon
By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
At 93,381 square miles, Oregon is the ninth largest state in landmass, with approximately 53 percent of its 61 million acres in federal lands, most of it managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
It has over 17,000 federal employees. As many as 1,700 could lose their jobs as the new Administration seeks to cut roughly 10 percent of its workforce.
The federal payroll has grown by 140,000 workers between 2019 and 2023 according to publicservice. org with 2023 having the largest gain in a decade at 4.1 percent.
In addition to the 3,400 announced job cuts at the USFS from their 34,000-strong workforce, reductions in staffing are slated for other agencies.
800 BLM workers have been terminated under direction from the Office of
Management and Budget. BLM, a unit of the U.S. Department of the Interior, administers a variety of landscapes for multiple use over more than 16 million acres of public land in Oregon.
Prineville is the largest BLM district in Oregon managing 1.65 million acres.
Another 420 (five percent) employees of U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife have also been terminated.
The U.S. National Park Service has been notified to drop 1,000 from its workforce of 20,000. Crater Lake National Park is the only Oregon park in the system. In total, there are 429 national park sites in the U.S., although only 63 have the designation in their name. The others fall into several categories including National Battlefields, National Historic Sites, National Monuments, National Seashores, and National Recreation Areas.
The impact of federal cuts in the Forest Service is uncertain, including how they might impact fire mitigation.
PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT
deadlines. The finalized council goals are the foundation for the draft budget to cover the first of two fiscal years. The fiscal year starts from July of one year through June of the next year. The budget committee, comprised of staff and appointees from the public, must review and approve the draft budget by mid-May. City Council will conduct a final review and adopt the 2025-26 budget in June.
Goals should be viewable by the public on the website by mid-March, at https://www.ci.sisters. or.us/citycouncil/page/ council-goals-0.
City Manager Jordan Wheeler stated that the City is financially in “good shape.”
To set the stage for the council goal-setting meeting on February 20, held at Sisters Makers, Wheeler used the analogy of an iceberg, where most of an iceberg is underwater and represents the administrative work staff does and includes projects spanning many years, while the visible iceberg includes new projects which might be completed within two years or will be the initial work for larger projects. The big ongoing projects take many years from start to finish in order to coordinate with several impacted governing agencies, secure funding, complete phased design, and implement the phases.
The Locust Roundabout is a perfect example. It began with agency conversations in 2016 and is now in its final phase to complete signage, landscaping, and central art work. The numerous current Public Works efforts that will enhance and expand capacity of our current sewer and water infrastructures and improve roads, are other examples of long-term projects. The goal is to have a good balance such that the new projects do not over -
iceberg,” as Councilor Gary Ross put it.
Previous Sisters’ councils determined seven goal categories: Housing, Livability and Growth; Wildfire Mitigation and Community Resiliency; Economic Development; Essential Infrastructure; Good Governance; Environmental Sustainability; and Urban Renewal Agency (URA) Goals. The last category will include goals defined by the URA, whose members and chair are the councilors and Mayor Jennifer Letz, respectively. Council saw no need to change the seven goal categories.
Council’s meeting package contained over 100 public comments including those from the public meeting in January, survey results from public utility users and those who replied on the city website and emails to the city. Council discussed and noted that many public concerns were being addressed by City efforts already in progress.
The City provides The Sisters Roundup newsletter, all meetings are public, and meeting minutes and videos, and plans and summaries on all major projects are accessible on the City website. Still, some of the public seems to be unaware of what the City is doing or is about to do.
Council was very pleased with the public’s engagement finding much alignment with Council’s interests in more affordable housing, addressing the danger of unhoused in our forests, assuring fire mitigation, defenses and emergency resilience, better connectivity and safety for cyclists and pedestrians, continued networking with local nonprofits, agencies and districts, more child care options, and local healthcare possibilities among many other mutual concerns.
During the four-hour workshop, Council reviewed each goal, noting those completed, those needing updating to next phases and considered some new goals. Staff will write up the revisions for the next council workshop.
MEDICAL: Students get a look at stateof-the-art work
group of high schoolers were able to take in was constantly challenged.
“It’s always so fun to watch students grow and engage with professionals in a mature way even when they’re exploding with information,” said Givot.
Many of the experiments they conducted in the lab gave them a better understanding of the classes they were taking at SHS and were even applicable to real world situations.
Dan Oliver, Sisters High School math and science teacher, accompanied the group for his second year in a row.
“The second time around it’s easier to absorb experiences. It’s also amazing to see how passionate everyone in the whole institute is, everyone is just so geared towards aiding their mission,” said Oliver.
Over the three days not only did the students experience a variety of educational experiences, but they also explored the city, eating great food and spending time on the ferry to Bainbridge Island and Pike Place Market.
“Going to Fred Hutch was one of the best decisions I’ve made, we saw amazing things in and outside of the lab. I loved going on the ferry, and learning about the facility members and the work they do was super inspiring!” said junior Addison Nothiger.
All of this was accomplished with the aid of the teachers and parents involved, as well as the Sisters Science
Club who funded the trip and allowed for the experience of a lifetime for all who attended.
— Rima Givot
experience
medical research has become a Sisters High School tradition in a Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center field trip.
Explore Sisters
To the Editor:
Explore Sisters has had the privilege of serving as the Destination Management Organization (DMO) for the Sisters area for the past two years. During that time, the organization has evolved significantly, and begun to find its stride. As a DMO, Explore Sisters aims to maximize economic impact through tourism while maintaining a balance with local livability. The positive support from the community has been tremendous and truly appreciated.
As a startup organization, many foundational elements needed to be established to ensure Explore Sisters was well-positioned to carry its mission into the future. In its first year of operation, Explore Sisters focused on organizational health and initial community engagement, while the past year marked a transition to fundamental marketing efforts.
In 2024, Explore Sisters began implementing its newly developed destination brand, launched ExploreSisters.com, coordinated an initial advertising campaign, increased social media engagement, generated earned media, hosted influencers and travel writers, and secured subscribers to initiate email marketing. We also opened a Visitor Information Center in downtown Sisters on Main Avenue, adjacent to Fir Street Park, and expanded our visual asset library by collaborating with local photographers.
Explore Sisters recently published its 2024 Annual Report and 2025–26 Business Plan, both available on our website at ExploreSisters.com/industry. This section of our website serves as a resource to learn more about Explore Sisters, stay informed about industry news, and access research and reports. We publish a regular industry newsletter and encourage those interested in or impacted by tourism to sign up.
We look forward to continued growth, exciting opportunities ahead, and the chance to support the Sisters community with gratitude for years to come.
Scott Humpert, Executive Director
s s s
Difficult subjects
To the Editor:
Kudos to T. Brown for tackling difficult subjects, and especially for the courage to sometimes challenge personal group norms. It is always difficult to try to see things from an opposing perspective and risk offending peers. Go Girl! But I specifically applaud the two week series on menopause, a subject even women are hesitant to discuss, but vital to understand for all genders. I only wish the knowledge and support
had been there when I survived those years, not understanding what havoc I may have wreaked nor how to navigate, let alone long term health damage. So thank you and keep writing!
Wendie Vermillion
s s s
Be on high alert
To the Editor:
Criminal prosecution is among any government’s most fearsome — and yet essential — powers.
Criminal laws reinforce the framework of law within which we exercise our fundamental freedoms. Statutes criminalizing fraud, burglary, and criminal mischief protect property rights. Other criminal laws protect the rights to vote and to be free of invidious discrimination. The right to life is protected by criminal laws prohibiting driving under the influence and assault. We would be less free without impartial enforcement of these and many other criminal laws.
President Trump is entitled by his office to change the policy direction of the United States Department of Justice. But any administration jumps the rails if it infects the exercise of prosecutorial discretion in particular cases with the nakedly partisan political concerns of the chief executive. Doing so would transform prosecutors from allies of freedom into enemies of justice.
Nine distinguished alumni of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Oregon recently joined nearly a thousand of their former colleagues from across the nation in a letter raising alarms about credible allegations that President Trump’s administration has substituted improper political considerations for the principled exercise of prosecutorial discretion in specific cases.
As a former state law enforcement official I worked directly with several of the nine prosecutors who signed the letter. I know the professional reputations of the others with Oregon connections. During their public service, all nine were committed to the impartial rule of law in criminal prosecutions regardless of partisan political considerations. Their alarm is a sign that all who cherish freedom should also be on high alert.
Pete Shepherd s s s Giant faucet
To the Editor:
After reading articles in The Nugget about how we all need to listen to the other political side and keep an open mind, I decided to take the message to heart. This letter is a shoutout to President Trump for his role in ending the LA fires.
Olivia Nieto freelancing with The Nugget Newspaper two years ago, as a freshman in high school. Her f stor y was cov Sisters High Sc Winter Recital. junior, she continues to provide cov school-related topics.
Nugget freelancer is a connection with Sisters youth
Erin Borla of The Roundhouse F connected Olivia with Editor in Chief Jim Cornelius, who was immediately str by Olivia’s poise and enthusiasm. She prov to be a quick lear with a knack f — and an im work ethic. She q became com interviewing stor subjects, from her fellow students to school staff. She has thrived in the work.
“I f ind it really benef icial,” she said. “It’s def initely expanded my social skills and local connections.”
Olivia says that the stories she most enjoys working on are “any y where the person ed is really passionate about it.”
“It’s nice to be able to be that connection for ” she says.
Nieto has passions of wn, from music to the outdoors, which borne fr uit in her ticipation in school band prog rams and Sisters High School’s Interdisciplinar y Environmental Expedition (IEE) ram.
Nieto’s work provides The Nugget with a vital, direct connection with Sisters youth, and her peers enjoy seeing their stories in the newspaper
She isn’t sure what she plans to pursue in her raduation life, but she says she will incorporate the skills wledge she is building as a freelance repor ter into whatever her future endeavors hold.
“I’m just g rateful for the oppor tunity,” she said.
“My involvement has expanded my life in ways I never imagined.”
game, and learn new tunes. The class is open to SMS Outlaw Strings fiddle players and other young fiddle players in the region, and to students going into grades 5-9.
The same week, art educator Amy Dart will teach Embroidery is for Everyone, a half-day camp where students will develop technical skills in embroidery by gaining proficiency in fundamental and advanced techniques. While building problemsolving skills through design challenges and troubleshooting embroidery techniques, campers will also reflect on the role of traditional arts in modern artistic expression. Enrollment is open to students going into grades 6-8 and will run from 1 to 4 p.m. daily.
For students with limited experience on an acoustic, stringed instrument but looking to move forward in their musical journey, The String Lab half-day camp is July 21-25 from 9 a.m. to noon daily. Joe Schulte, mandolin player and bandleader in the Moon Mountain Ramblers, instructor at Cascade School of Music and String Theory Music School in Bend, and teaching artist, will lead the course. Schulte will provide songs that can be played with basic common chords, and easy-to-learn melodies to memorize and play with others. Enrollment is open to students going into grades 5-8. Brushstrokes & Beyond: Exploring Painting Techniques is a half-day camp for students to start painting, exploring a wide range of techniques and styles. During the week, they’ll experiment with watercolors, acrylics, and mixed media, discovering how to create texture, depth, and movement on canvas.
Led by SMS art teacher Judy Fuentes, campers will learn everything from basic brushstrokes to more advanced techniques like layering, glazing, and creating texture with unconventional tools. Enrollment is open to students entering grades 5-9 and will run from 1 to 4 p.m. on July 21-25. Adventures on Guitar will take place July 28-August 1 from 9 a.m. to noon daily. This half-day camp will be tailored to the skills of the individual campers and will focus on rhythm and strumming, chord progressions, and learning fun tunes. Lifelong musician and Cascade School of Music teacher Sandy Peevers will help students explore both melody and chordal backup, and develop a diverse musical repertoire. This is not a course for
campers that are absolutely new to the guitar. Campers should be comfortable with hand/finger placement for their guitar and know the very basics of strumming and chords. Enrollment is open to students entering grades 6-9.
Wild Wonders: 3D Art Camp, also with Fuentes, runs July 28-August 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. daily. Students will create one-of-a-kind sculptures using cardboard and found objects drawing inspiration from Louise Nevelson and Franz Marc. Through handson experimentation and self-expression students will discover new artistic techniques while building their confidence and unique artistic voices. Enrollment is open to students in grades 5-9.
Curtain Up! Intro to Theater is the first of two half-day camps catering to student thespians the week of August 4-8. Taught collaboratively by teaching artists Steven and Jayana Livingston, this camp will cover theater basics: stage direction, crafting characters, and performing a monologue. Designed for those with minimal theater experience, enrollment is open to students entering grades 5-8 and will run 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday and on Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a performance with the advanced theater group.
For students with prior
theater experience, the Livingstons will teach Next Act! Advanced Theater the same week. The camp will expand on student thespians’ basic theater skills with deeper character work, script annotating, and performing a monologue. The culmination of their work will be presented to family, friends, and community members on the final day of camp with an on-stage performance at The Belfry. Enrollment is open to students in grades 6-9 and will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and on Friday from noon to 4 p.m.
Another course with Peevers, Beginner Ukulele: You Too Can Uke!, will take place August 11-15 from 9 a.m. to noon daily. In this course, students will discover the fun in playing the ukulele. Campers will learn several tunes and songs, sing along while playing, and develop pieces for a small performance. Students may bring their own ukulele or SFFP can provide a uke for the duration of camp. Enrollment is open to students in grades 5-9. For a fusion of the outdoors and art, Amy Dart will lead Everyone Can Paint: Adventures in Nature, a half-day camp on August 11-15 from 1 to 4 p.m. Participants will design and implement their own works of art inspired by the natural
world. Using acrylic paints on canvas, students will transform their visions into artistic expressions. The camp will include exploratory activities, such as nature walks and online research, to discover subjects that inspire. Enrollment is open to students in grades 6-8. The final camp of the season is Build a Band: Advanced Strings, a full-day jam camp for experienced players. Schulte will lead players who are comfortable on their chosen acoustic stringed instrument and are fluid in the common major and minor chords found in popular music. Throughout the week, campers will break into small groups to work on custom song arrangements,
individual solos, harmonies, and improvisation. Enrollment is open to qualified students entering grades 6-9 and will run August 18-22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch will be provided daily. The suggested tuition for each full-day camp is $285 and includes lunch and snacks each day. Half-day suggested tuition is $135 and includes snacks. All camps will offer scholarship assistance to qualifying families; the minimum full-day camp registration is $57 and the minimum halfday camp registration is $27. For more information visit https://www.sffpresents.org/ summer-creativity-camps. The camps will take place at Sisters Art Works, 204 W. Adams Ave.
Sisters youth can build their musical and artistic skills in a variety of camps hosted this summer by SFF Presents.
PHOTO PROVIDED
In September, Trump promised, if elected, to “turn on a very large faucet.” “You have millions of gallons of water pouring down from the north with the snow caps and Canada, and all pouring down. And they have, essentially, a very large faucet and you turn the faucet, and it takes one day to turn and it’s massive...” He also explained the concept of “reverting” water to go uphill “what they call water flow — where the land would be damp.” “They have a valve, think of a sink but multiply it by many thousands of times the size of it, it’s massive. And you turn it back toward Los Angeles.”
At the National Prayer Breakfast this past week, Trump boasted again, “The water comes down ... millions of barrels a day and uh, I opened it up. It wasn’t that easy to do. But I opened it up and it’s pouring down.”
On the same day the fire was considered 100% contained, Trump had the Army Corps of Engineers open two dams in Central California and let roughly 2.2 billion gallons of water flow out. Trump celebrated the move declaring, “the water is flowing in California,” and was “heading to farmers throughout the State, and to Los Angeles.”
I realize that The Nugget columnists and the readers out there on Team America don’t want to hear any criticism of President Trump, but, in my opinion, releasing this water was not a good idea for several reasons: The fires were already contained, the water would never have reached LA anyway, it was essentially wasted into the dry lakebed of Tulare Lake, and that water was supposed to be held in reserve for farmers to use in the dry summer months. Regardless, Trump insisted, “everybody should be happy.” “Victory!” “I only wish they listened to me six years ago — There would have been no (Paradise) fire!”
Nevertheless, this minor mistake is far outweighed by the fact that Trump (and, sure, the brave firefighters and, yeah, rain) stopped the LA fires.
I don’t know where the giant faucet is and I don’t really understand how he did it, but I’m thinking it must have something to do with gravity — water flows from the higher elevations (north) downhill (south) to LA. Whatever. The fires are out. Thank you, President Trump!
Terry Weygandt
s s s
Better leadership
To the Editor:
You do an admirable job of maintaining a neutral tone as you balance the diverse views of the citizens. I must take a more balanced approach to statements made regarding happenings in Washington. You don’t take a sledge hammer to a budget review. USAID may have some ill-advised expenditures, and can be adjusted, but it is minuscule to the wrecking ball Elon is wielding.
I don’t remember voting for him for anything. Conflict of interest with all his government contracts, you think he would look at those expenditures? And I doubt he actually would get a real security clearance.
Congress has the power of the purse, they allocated the money, so they can adjust the amounts if there is waste. And how about the blatant misuse of power by forcing the Republicans to have their meeting at Doral, a Trump owned site. Trump is not supposed to gain from his Presidential position, or by firing the Inspector Generals whose jobs are to look for waste, fraud, and abuse. He wants to not have any scrutiny of his own dubious actions in government. You had no mention of other egregious violations of the Constitution. Failing to call out what is wrong with Trump’s statement that the invasion of Ukraine by Russia resulting in the deaths of so many people, by not stating that none of that would have happened without Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Putin is solely to blame.
And finally, I reiterate what others have already stated. I’m sure many of you personally know police officers from city, county, or our state. To
pardon convicted felons who brutalized the officers at the Capitol is unconscionable. I’m sure family members of officers you know here in Oregon would not be happy if criminals who attacked their own officers were convicted and then later found out that these felons were released from prison by a vindictive President. We should demand better leadership than this in America.
Frank Simeson s s s
UGB proposal
To the Editor:
I find it disturbing that the Sisters City Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) steering committee is even considering the Hayden Homes McKenzie Meadows Village 58-acre parcel for eventual inclusion into the UGB.
Currently the parcel is being proposed for a county zoning change with the intent to eventually construct a dense subdivision like the existing McKenzie Meadows Village.
Sisters City has asked Deschutes County to expedite the zoning decision.
The 58-acre parcel is bordered on two sides by Forest Service land and on one side by the Trout Creek Conservation Area (TCCA) next to the High School football field. It literally juts into the forest.
There is a map on the City website where you can see the location of the parcel. I hope a future article in The Nugget will address this parcel and show it more clearly on a map.
Developing this area into a dense neighborhood would create a serious wildfire risk to the proposed subdivision and the existing subdivision.
It is a classic Wildland Urban Interface situation.
I hope the USFS and the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District people will be consulted on this proposal.
Steve Gadd s s s
OPINION…
The looming crisis is now
By Steve Woodside Columnist
It is difficult to not grow numb to some of the things happening around the world today, and simply feel like the best approach for one’s mental health is to disengage and hope for a better day. But hope, absent action, is not a strategy, and some disasters, closer to home, are well within our reach to solve. I speak, of course, of the United States debt position. We, as a country, have a $36 trillion deficit, and the interest alone to service this debt is fast-approaching $1 trillion a year. Without any course correction to the current government budget, we would be growing this deficit further at a rate of almost $500 billion per quarter, or $2 trillion this year.
A common phrase shouted in the streets is that we need to tax the billionaires, and get the rich to pay their fair share , but no one ever explains what amount would qualify as a fair share . Others have stated that no human should be allowed to become a billionaire, and that their net worth should be capped at some magical number, like $999 million, and then taxed at a rate of 100 percent. First, most billionaires have their wealth tied up in companies and assets, so they are not swimming in a pool filled with hundred dollar bills. Second, if you confiscated every single dollar from every billionaire in the United States and applied all of it to the country’s deficit, we would still have a deficit of around $30 trillion, or about $90,000 for every American in the country. Doing the same thing, which includes trying to grow our economy faster than the rate of the deficit, or increasing taxes, has yielded no positive result, and is, in fact, insanity. We have a spending problem.
I fully understand why thousands protest in Washington D.C., because these people are fully in on the government graft, but it is inexplicable to watch various groups marching in the streets of Bend as well as other liberal cities with their hand-painted signs, decrying Musk, and Trump as they audit various government budgets to determine how our tax dollars are being spent. It is also
disheartening to see welleducated people write into The Nugget trying to justify the work they accomplished with some of these NGO’s and 501(c)(3) organizations four weeks into an administration, without recognizing that positive work will get funded once a chain of command can be determined with how funds were used. What I further find hard to reconcile is that the same people who are constantly sending out warnings about climate change threatening the future of our children and grandchildren seem not to care that we are passing down a bankrupt country to current generations, and all previous efforts to do anything about it have met with bi-partisan resistance. But the times are changing, at least from one side of the political aisle, as corrupt Republicans like Mitch McConnell and his ilk have waning influence on the current administration. Early efforts from the Department of Government Efficiency team (DOGE) have found $55 billion in savings in everything from fraud to regulatory savings, and all of this is posted transparently at DOGE.gov.
It is time that we put our future generations on a path where they can lead the United States to a better future, rather than turn a blind eye to the death spiral our current government spending has led us down. In a way this is another moonshot moment, where we have an opportunity to create a new vision for government spending, and how we build accountability into every government leader and office that they manage, so that the American people have confidence that their taxpayer dollars are not being squandered on nebulous projects overseas, or being laundered back into the hands of the same government leaders. Perhaps this will also lead to personal budgeting and accountability so that the country can also address the lack of individual savings and retirement that further threatens our country’s stability, and our unpreparedness for unplanned expenses. If this means we all need to push pause on a variety of programs, or take a temporary economic hit to do this, then sign me up.
This Week’s Crossword Sponsors
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DEADLINE: MONDAY, noon preceding WED. publication. PLACEMENT & PAYMENT: Office, 442 E. Main Ave. Phone, 541-549-9941 or place online at NuggetNews.com. Payment is due upon placement. VISA & MasterCard accepted. Billing available for continuously run classified ads, after prepayment of first four (4) weeks and upon approval of account application.
CATEGORIES:
102 Commercial Rentals
RETAIL/OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE
220 S PINE ST, SISTERS
1st Floor Retail - 582 SQFT
Office Suite 209 - 500 SQFT
Office Suite 210 - 502 SQFT For information call:
Lorna Nolte 541-419-8380
Lorna@NolteProperties.com
Executive Office Space
Very nice executive office space for rent in Sisters light industrial park. 224 sq. ft. private office. Shared restrooms with shower. Shared conference/kitchen room. Easy parking. All utilities included. Starting at $750 per month. Call 541-549-9631
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.
103 Residential Rentals
CASCADE HOME & PROPERTY RENTALS
Monthly Rentals throughout Sisters Country. 541-549-0792
Property management for second homes. CascadeHomeRentals.com
PONDEROSA PROPERTIES –
Monthly Rentals Available–Call Debbie at 541-549-2002
Full details, 24 hrs./day, go to: PonderosaProperties.com
Printed list at 178 S. Elm, Sisters Ponderosa Properties LLC
104 Vacation Rentals
Downtown Vacation Rentals
Popular 1 and 2 Bedroom SistersVacationRentals.net Great pricing. 503-730-0150 ~ Sisters Vacation Rentals ~ Private Central OR vac. rentals, Property Management Services 541-977-9898 www.SistersVacation.com
201 For Sale
Hydrow rowing machine
Used 5 times, like brand new.
Stores upright. Buyer pick up. Retails $2,500, marked down to $800. 503-319-9338, text only.
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
205 Garage & Estate Sales
Annual Garage Sale at the River Run Event Center in the Eagle Crest Resort. 1730 Blue Heron Dr., Redmond. Saturday, March 1, 2025. 8:30 am to 1 pm
Happy Trails Estate Sales and online auctions! Selling, Downsizing, or Deaths? Locally owned & operated by... Daiya 541-480-2806 Sharie 541-771-1150
301 Vehicles
We Buy, Sell, Consign Quality Cars, Trucks, SUVs & RVs ~ Call Jeff at 541-815-7397 Sisters Car Connection da#3919 SistersCarConnection.com
401 Horses ORCHARD GRASS HAY ALFALFA TRITICALE
New crop. No rain. Barn stored. 3-tie bales. $220-$360/ton. Hwy. 126 & Cline Falls. 541-280-1895
500 Services
SMALL Engine REPAIR Lawn Mowers, Chainsaws & Trimmers Sisters Rental
331 W. Barclay Drive 541-549-9631
Authorized service center for Stihl, Honda, Ariens/Gravely, Cub Cadet, Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, Kawasaki Engines GEORGE’S SEPTIC TANK SERVICE
“A Well Maintained Septic System Protects the Environment” 541-549-2871
NOTARY PUBLIC - LOCAL – Call Cheryl 541-420-7875 –
Junk removal, new home, garage & storage clean-out, construction, yard debris. You Call – We Haul! 541-719-8475
• DERI’s HAIR SALON • Call 541-419-1279
501 Computers & Communications
3 Sisters TeleNetworks, LLC Extend internet to shop, security cameras, Starlink. CCB #191099 541-306-0729 502 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
M & J CARPET CLEANING Area rugs, upholstery, tile & dryer-vent 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
504 Handyman
3 Sisters Handyman Services 20+ years experience No job too large or small. Snow removal services available. Licensed, Bonded, and Insured Call Nate 907-748-4100 sistershandyman@gmail.com
CCB# 253556
600 Tree Service & Forestry
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
– All You Need Maintenance –Tree removal, property thinning & clearing, forestry mastication & mulching, stump grinding. Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169
Austin • 541-419-5122
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
TimberStandImprovement.net Tree Removal & Pruning TRAQ Arborist/ CCB#190496 541-771-4825
Y O U R S O U R C E for up-to-date Sisters news! www.NuggetNews.com
601 Construction
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
Custom Homes Additions - Remodels
Residential Building Projects
Becke William Pierce CCB# 190689 • 541-647-0384
Beckewpcontracting@gmail.com
Earthwood Timber
• Recycled fir and pine beams
• Mantels and accent timbers
• Sawmill/woodshop services
EWDevCoLLC@gmail.com
New construction, addition, remodel. Large and small projects. Contact for estimate. Excavation: septic system, site prep, demolition, road and driveway construction. 541-325-3020 sales@gardnercontractingllc.com
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 The Nugget • 541-549-9941
SUDOKU Level: Easy Answer: Page 23
Lara’s Construction LLC.
CCB#223701
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
Offering masonry work, fireplaces, interior & exterior stone/brick-work, build barbecues, and all types of masonry. Give us a call for a free estimate 541-350-3218
CASCADE GARAGE DOORS
CASCADE GARAGE DOORS
Factory Trained Technicians
Ridgeline Electric, LLC
Ridgeline Electric, LLC
Serving all of Central Oregon
• Residential • Commercial
Serving all of Central Oregon • Residential
• Industrial • Service
Commercial
Industrial • Service
541-588-3088 • CCB #234821
541-588-3088 • CCB #234821
603 Excavation & Trucking
603 Excavation & Trucking
Full Service Excavation
Full Service Excavation
Free On-site Visit & Estimate
Free On-site Visit & Estimate
Tewaltandsonsexcavation@gmail .com
Tewaltandsonsexcavation@gmail .com
541-549-1472 • CCB #76888
541-549-1472 • CCB #76888
Drainfield
Drainfield
Alpine Landscape Maintenance An All-Electric Landscape Company.
Alpine Landscape Maintenance An All-Electric Landscape Company.
Text/Call Paul 541.485.2837 alpine.landscapes@icloud.com
Text/Call Paul 541.485.2837 alpine.landscapes@icloud.com
Keeping Sisters Country Beautiful Since 2006 candcnursery@gmail.com 541-549-2345
Keeping Sisters Country Beautiful Since 2006 candcnursery@gmail.com 541-549-2345
Landscape Crew Members
Wanted
Landscape Crew Members Wanted
Factory Trained Technicians Since 1983 • CCB #44054 541-548-2215 • 541-382-4553
• Minor & Major Septic Repair
Since 1983 • CCB #44054 541-548-2215 • 541-382-4553
INSPIRED CUSTOM HOMES
INSPIRED CUSTOM HOMES
www.teeharborconstruction.com
www.teeharborconstruction.com
541-213-8736 • CCB#75388
541-213-8736 • CCB#75388
Construction & Renovation
Construction & Renovation
Custom Residential Projects
Custom Residential Projects
All Phases • CCB #148365 541-420-8448
All Phases • CCB #148365 541-420-8448
Pat Burke LOCALLY OWNED
• Minor & Major Septic Repair
• All Septic Needs/Design & Install
• All Septic Needs/Design & Install
General Excavation
General Excavation
• Site Preparation
• Site Preparation
• Rock & Stump Removal
• Rock & Stump Removal
• Pond & Driveway Construction Preparation
• Pond & Driveway Construction Preparation
• Building Demolition Trucking
• Building Demolition Trucking
• Deliver Top Soil, Sand, Gravel, Boulders, Water
• Deliver Top Soil, Sand, Gravel, Boulders, Water
• Dump Trucks, Transfer Trucks, Belly
• Dump Trucks, Transfer Trucks, Belly
• The Whole 9 Yards or 24
• The Whole 9 Yards or 24
Whatever You Want!
Whatever You Want!
ROBINSON & OWEN
ROBINSON & OWEN
Heavy Construction, Inc.
Heavy Construction, Inc.
All your excavation needs
All your excavation needs
*General excavation
*General excavation
*Site Preparation
*Site Preparation
*Sub-Divisions
*Sub-Divisions
*Road Building
*Road Building
*Sewer and Water Systems
*Sewer and Water Systems
*Underground Utilities
*Underground Utilities
*Grading
*Grading
*Sand-Gravel-Rock
Complete landscape construction, fencing, irrigation installation & design, pavers/outdoor kitchens, debris cleanups, fertility & water conservation management, excavation.
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
CCB #188594 • LCB #9264 www.vohslandscaping.com 541-515-8462
– 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
– 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
701 Domestic Services
Looking for the ability to hone your skills and enter a position where you can grow within a company? Sisters Landscape is looking for detail oriented and motivated individuals to join our team. Our company is looking to grow, and we need skilled individuals to move up in our company. This is the time to establish connections and learn the skills we need for leadership positions. We are also willing to train individuals with no experience who may be looking to try something different. Come join us for the 2025 season. Starting wage is $20/hr for no experience.
Looking for the ability to hone your skills and enter a position where you can grow within a company? Sisters Landscape is looking for detail oriented and motivated individuals to join our team. Our company is looking to grow, and we need skilled individuals to move up in our company. This is the time to establish connections and learn the skills we need for leadership positions. We are also willing to train individuals with no experience who may be looking to try something different. Come join us for the 2025 season. Starting wage is $20/hr for no experience.
Experienced workers more.
Experienced workers more.
Open Positions:
Open Positions:
Maintenance crew leads
Maintenance laborers
We are Hiring!
Join our summer camp culture at Lake Creek Lodge. We're recruiting for: Housekeeping. PT/FT. We are proud to offer flexible schedules and excellent compensation.
www.lakecreeklodge.com
We are Hiring! Join our summer camp culture at Lake Creek Lodge. We're recruiting for: Housekeeping. PT/FT. We are proud to offer flexible schedules and excellent compensation. www.lakecreeklodge.com 13375 SW Forest Service Rd. 1419, Camp Sherman
13375 SW Forest Service Rd. 1419, Camp Sherman 803
Work Wanted
803 Work Wanted
I AM A CAREGIVER Looking for work in Sisters, Part-Time
I AM A CAREGIVER Looking for work in Sisters, Part-Time
Please call Lynn 503-274-0214.
Please call Lynn 503-274-0214.
Construction crew leads
Construction laborers Irrigation tech
Maintenance crew leads Maintenance laborers Construction crew leads Construction laborers Irrigation tech
Call: 541-549-3001
Call: 541-549-3001
Email: Sisterslandscape@gmail.com
Email: Sisterslandscape@gmail.com
SEEKING EMPLOYMENT?
SEEKING EMPLOYMENT?
Check out the Help Wanted ads NEED ASSISTANCE?
Check out the Help Wanted ads NEED ASSISTANCE?
Advertise in the Classifieds Call 541-549-9941
Advertise in the Classifieds Call 541-549-9941
for puzzle on page 22
I & I Crystal Cleaning, LLC
Specializing in Commercial, Residential & Vacation Rentals. Licensed, Bonded & Insured. 541-977-1051
701 Domestic Services I & I Crystal Cleaning, LLC Specializing in Commercial, Residential & Vacation Rentals. Licensed, Bonded & Insured. 541-977-1051
The Outlaw Jazz Combo
Pat Burke LOCALLY OWNED CRAFTSMAN BUILT
*Sand-Gravel-Rock
Licensed • Bonded • Insured
Licensed • Bonded • Insured
CRAFTSMAN BUILT
CCB: 228388 • 541-588-2062
CCB: 228388 • 541-588-2062
www.sistersfencecompany.com
www.sistersfencecompany.com
SPURGE COCHRAN BUILDER, INC.
SPURGE COCHRAN BUILDER, INC.
General Contractor
CCB #124327
541-549-1848
CCB #124327 541-549-1848
BANR Enterprises, LLC
BANR Enterprises, LLC
Earthwork, Utilities, Grading, Hardscape, Rock Walls
Earthwork, Utilities, Grading, Hardscape, Rock Walls
Residential & Commercial
BLAKE & SON – Commercial, Home & Rentals Cleaning WINDOW CLEANING! Lic. & Bonded • 541-549-0897
BLAKE & SON – Commercial, Home & Rentals Cleaning WINDOW CLEANING! Lic. & Bonded • 541-549-0897
801 Classes & Training
801 Classes & Training
Residential & Commercial
Building Distinctive, Handcrafted Custom Homes, Additions, Remodels, Cabin Renovations Since ’74
General Contractor Building Distinctive, Handcrafted Custom Homes, Additions, Remodels, Cabin Renovations Since ’74
A “Hands-On” Builder
CCB #165122 • 541-549-6977 www.BANR.net
CCB #165122 • 541-549-6977 www.BANR.net
604 Heating & Cooling
604 Heating & Cooling
ACTION AIR
Looking for Bridge/Pitch and Sewing/Knitting teachers, 503-319-9338, text only.
Looking for Bridge/Pitch and Sewing/Knitting teachers, 503-319-9338, text only.
ACTION AIR
Keeping Your Project on Time & On Budget • CCB #96016
A “Hands-On” Builder Keeping Your Project on Time & On Budget • CCB #96016
To speak to Spurge personally, call 541-815-0523
To speak to Spurge personally, call 541-815-0523
HAVE A SERVICE TO PROVIDE?
HAVE A SERVICE TO PROVIDE?
Place your ad in The Nugget
Place your ad
602 Plumbing & Electric SWEENEY PLUMBING, INC.
INC.
“Quality and Reliability” Repairs • Remodeling
“Quality and Reliability” Repairs
• New Construction
• Water Heaters
541-549-4349 Residential and
and Commercial
Bonded • Insured CCB #87587
#87587
Heating & Cooling, LLC
Heating & Cooling, LLC
Retrofit • New Const • Remodel Consulting, Service & Installs actionairheatingandcooling.com
Retrofit • New Const • Remodel Consulting, Service & Installs actionairheatingandcooling.com
CCB #195556 541-549-6464
CCB #195556 541-549-6464
605 Painting
605 Painting
~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~
~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~ Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. Refurbishing Decks
Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. Refurbishing Decks
CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620 www.frontier-painting.com
CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620 www.frontier-painting.com
EMPIRE PAINTING
EMPIRE PAINTING
Interior and Exterior Painting and Staining
Interior and Exterior Painting and Staining
CCB#180042
CCB#180042
541-613-1530 • Geoff Houk
541-613-1530 • Geoff Houk
Interior/Exterior Painting
Interior/Exterior Painting
Deck Refinishing
Deck Refinishing
Jacob deSmet 503-559-9327
Jacob deSmet 503-559-9327
peakperformancepainting1@ gmail.com • CCB#243491
peakperformancepainting1@ gmail.com • CCB#243491
606 Landscaping & Yard
Maintenance
606 Landscaping & Yard Maintenance
All Landscaping Services
All Landscaping Services
Mowing, Thatching, Hauling Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740
Mowing, Thatching, Hauling Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740
802 Help Wanted Office Manager Wanted Sisters Landscape is looking for an experienced individual to be our office manager. The ideal candidate would be proficient in QuickBooks Online and Microsoft Word. The position would entail managing our books, answering calls, scheduling appointments, payroll, and doing our billing. We are willing to train individuals who possess some of the above skills but not all. Customer experience preferred but not required. $20/hr for no experience. More depending on experience. Call: 541-549-3001
802 Help Wanted Office Manager Wanted Sisters Landscape is looking for an experienced individual to be our office manager. The ideal candidate would be proficient in QuickBooks Online and Microsoft Word. The position would entail managing our books, answering calls, scheduling appointments, payroll, and doing our billing. We are willing to train individuals who possess some of the above skills but not all. Customer experience preferred but not required. $20/hr for no experience. More depending on experience. Call: 541-549-3001
Email:
Sisterslandscape@gmail.com
Email: Sisterslandscape@gmail.com
Black Butte School District is hiring an Upper Grades Teacher and School Counselor More info at blackbutte.k12.or. us/employment or 541-595-6203
Black Butte School District is hiring an Upper Grades Teacher and School Counselor More info at blackbutte.k12.or. us/employment or 541-595-6203
BBR & CAMP SHERMAN:
• Black Butte Ranch General Store
• Black Butte Ranch Post Off ice
• Black Butte Ranch Welcome Center
• Camp Sherman Post Off ice • Metolius River Lodges
REDMOND & TERREBONNE:
• Bi-Mart • Oliver Lemon’s Terrebonne • M&W Market
The Ranch Market • Sisters Meat and Smokehouse
TUMALO:
• Pisano’s Pizza • Shell Station • T umalo Coffeehouse
T umalo Farmstand • T umalo Feed Co.
SISTERS LOCATIONS:
• Angeline’s Baker y • Bedouin
•Best Western Ponderosa Lodge • Bi-Mart
• Black Butte Realty Group
• Cabin Creek Home & Style • Cascade Fitness
• Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s • Central Oregon Eyecare
•Chevron/McDonald’s • Countr y Coffee
• Dair y Queen • Dixie’s • Eurosports
• Fika Sisters Coffeehouse • First Interstate Bank
• FivePine Lodge • GrandStay Hotel & Suites
• Habitat Thrif t Store • Hardtails Bar & Grill
• High Camp Taphouse • High Desert Chocolates
• Hoyt’s Hardware & Building Supply
• Lef t Coast Lodge • Les Schwab Tire Center
• Luckey’s Woodsman • Makin’ it Local
• Martolli’s of Sisters • Mid Oregon Credit Union
• Oliver Lemon’s • Paulina Springs Books
• Philadelphia’s Steak & Hoagies
• Ponderosa Properties • Rancho Viejo
• Ray’s Food Place • Sinclair Gas Station
• Sisters Ace Hardware • Sisters Apothecar y
• Sisters Art Works • Sisters Athletic Club
• Sisters Baker y • Sisters Bunkhouse • Sisters City Hall
• Sisters Coffee Co.• Sisters Community Church
• Sisters Creekside Campg round
• Sisters Dino Market •Sisters Depot
• Sisters Elementar y School •Sisters Feed & Supply
• Sisters Galler y & Frame Shop • Sisters High School
• Sisters Inn & Suites • Sisters Librar y
• Sisters Liquor Store • Sisters Meat and Smokehouse
• Sisters Middle School • Sisters Moto
• Sisters Movie House & Café • Sisters Nails & Spa
• Sisters Post Off ice •Sisters Pumphouse & Countr y Store
• Sisters Ranger Station • Sisters Rental
• Sisters Saloon & Ranch Grill
• Sisters School Administration Building
• Sisters Senior Living • Sisters Veterinar y Clinic
• Ski Inn Taphouse & Motel • Sno Cap Drive In
• Space Age F uel • Spoons Restaurant
• Sisters Park & Recreation District
• St. Charles Family Care • Stellar Realty Northwest
• Suttle Tea • Takoda’s Restaurant & Lounge
• The Barn in Sisters • The Galler y Restaurant
• The Gallimaufr y • The Nugget Front Porch
• The Pony Express • Three Creeks Brew Pub
• Three Sisters Floral
• Western Title & Escrow Company • Your Store