Editorial…
No black hats here
The potential for bringing 58 acres of land near Sisters High School into the Urban Growth Boundary for future residential development has stirred strong passions in the Sisters community. It has also led to some strong — and unfair — rhetoric.
Characterizing development of that property as a “land-grab” motivated by greed misses the mark. The property has been in the ownership of the same three partners for many years. Those partners — the Reed family, Bill Willitts, and Curt Kallberg — have contributed significantly to Sisters and the Central Oregon community.
The late Bill Reed was a prominent realtor in Sisters and served on the Sisters School Board for years, helping to oversee the development of Sisters High School and piloting the district through several serious budget crises. Bill Willitts developed FivePine, which has proved an asset to the community, and was instrumental in raising funds for a Hospice House in Bend. Curt Kallberg spearheaded a volunteer effort that added a wing onto the old Sisters Elementary School when the school district was contemplating putting overflow student population into trailers.
These citizens have invested thousands of hours and considerable funds in making Sisters the place it is today. They are not carpetbaggers seeking to exploit.
While local folks have treated the parcel as public forest, “McKenzie Meadows” is private property; it could be clear-cut or fenced off tomorrow. The owners believe that developing the property is an opportunity to address Sisters’ chronic challenge in providing
housing that people who work here can afford. Willitts has argued that, “Any new lands annexed into the UGB must prioritize workforce and affordable housing. City Councilors and staff must be bold: any new lands annexed into the UGB must be master-planned with 30 percent required affordable and workforce housing (80 percent Area Median Income and below for rentals; 80 to 130 percent Area Median Income for ownership).”
We can and will debate whether that will make a dent. We can and will debate whether that area is a good location for higher-density development. Should that property be included in the UGB, that debate will happen, through extensive due process.
The property owners presumably want their plans to pencil out and show a profit — but when did that become a sin in America? Everybody has some level of self-interest at stake — but we all also care about the future of the Sisters community. We shouldn’t assume that those opposed to development of that land are mere NIMBYs; nor should we assume that those who favor it are just “greedy developers” looking to pave paradise and put up a parking lot.
There are conflicting needs, desires, and values in play here, but it is not a battle between good and evil. There are no black hats here.
On McKenzie Meadows
By T. Lee Brown Guest Columnist
McKenzie Meadows Village (MMV), nearly 60 acres of private land near Sisters High School and Tollgate, is the subject of much debate lately. The City Council recently filed to have a proposal for rezoning expedited by Deschutes County.
The land is currently zoned F2 for forestry, which allows for forest resource use including logging. The owner has been publicly represented by Hathaway Larson LLP and by Hayden Homes, the presumed developer who would benefit from rezoning.
The owner has generously allowed local residents and their dogs to walk through their ponderosas, along with wildlife navigating an increasingly difficult landscape in and around town. Nevertheless, this is not public land and is currently zoned appropriately for clearcutting.
development and by absorbing the school district’s bus barn and new elementary school. It will soon host a busy transportation hub and dog park. Two of the west end’s three primary traffic arteries are in the jurisdiction of ODOT, the Oregon Department of Transportation, which faces significant budget cuts.
Building up McKenzie Meadows with infill is unlikely to solve our homelessness and affordable housing crises. Today I found 106 rentals available on Zillow alone.
The City is planning a larger UGB expansion on the other end of town, a large swath of land offering adequate time and space for careful planning that preserves habitat and avoids flooding of homes by creeks.
Jim
Cornelius, Editor in Chief
— See Letters to the Editor on page 8 —
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
Editor in Chief & Co-owner: Jim Cornelius
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Postmaster: Send address changes to The Nugget Newspaper, P.O. Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759. Third Class Postage Paid at Sisters, Oregon. The Nugget is available to pick up free at The Nugget office and at businesses throughout Sisters and Tumalo; mail subscriptions are available in the 97759, 97756, 97730, and 97703 zip codes for $55/year; subscriptions outside these zip codes: $70/year, $45/six months (or less).
MMV is adjacent to the Trout Creek Conservation Area, owned by Sisters School District and preserved in perpetuity through an agreement with the Deschutes Land Trust (DLT). Students have worked impressively to help restore this riparian area and create interpretive materials for its seasonal stream.
Teachers who get our kids out in nature are shaping a better future for our town, county, and country. In an increasingly digitalintensive era, kids are suffering from altered brain development, lack of social growth, anxiety, and other issues (see Jonathan Haidt’s “The Anxious Generation”). Time in nature is not only educational but highly beneficial for mental health and life outcomes.
Rezoning and developing MMV, potentially including it in an Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansion, would affect the creek and its downstream wildlife.
The combined Trout Creek and McKenzie Meadow area provides habitat for woodpeckers, owls, deer, and elk, among other animals. It is home to the rare Peck’s penstemon; 10 percent of the entire world’s Peck’s penstemon grow here.
Additionally, the west end of Sisters and its traffic have been heavily impacted in the last 10 years by rapid
One hopes that the City or some other entity will find a legal or financial instrument to ensure that housing for everyday workers is created, in addition to the so-called “affordable housing” builds that have soured so many locals on development.
People are also concerned that their small, easygoing town full of natural spaces and trees is becoming a densely populated, generic, suburban-style enclave for the wealthy and wealthyish, along with their second homes.
We might follow the example of Santa Barbara, CA, where residents invested in impressive nature preserves as development and wealth increased.
The combined Trout Creek Conservation Area and McKenzie Meadows environs contribute to the quality of natural and human life here—and to the wellbeing of our kids.
Perhaps community members could ask the property’s owners, the City, developers, and DLT to collaborate and preserve it. Perhaps those opposed to development could raise funds to purchase the land and use it to expand Trout Creek Conservation Area.
Maybe one of our many active retirees in Sisters, who are already generous with their time, energy, and monetary contributions, could spearhead an effort to save the land for generations to come. If not? I hope developers and the City will see fit to include actual, genuine workforce housing, retain open space for habitat, and plan this right.
Quick action saved a life at Hoodoo
A man nearly died from a heart attack at Hoodoo Ski Area in March. In April, he was back to celebrate his survival with the people who saved his life.
The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District reported that on March 1, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel from the Sisters-Camp Sherman and Black Butte Ranch fire districts were dispatched to a male patient in cardiac arrest at the Autobahn Tubing Park at the Hoodoo Ski Area. Responding units were advised that CPR had been started immediately by bystanders, and by
Hoodoo Ski Patrol members. They had applied an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) and delivered multiple shocks. Ski Patrol staff then loaded the patient into a toboggan and towed him to a designated landing zone to meet with a Life Flight Network air ambulance.
The efforts of the ski patrollers and the bystanders were successful in restoring the patient’s pulse, and he was regaining consciousness.
Upon arrival of EMS units, the patient, 67-yearold Tom Lane, was conscious and talking.
Paramedics and EMTs from Sisters-Camp Sherman and Black Butte Ranch fire districts then took over patient care, and began advanced life support procedures while waiting for the arrival of the helicopter. Lane was transported to the hospital for definitive care, where he walked out 11 days later with no memory of the event, but a new lease on life, thanks to efforts of those involved.
On April 5, just over a month after the incident, some of the EMS personnel, along with the ski
Easter Egg hunt set for April 20
Children from infants to 11 years of age are invited to participate in the annual Easter Egg Hunt co-sponsored by the Sisters-Camp Sherman and Cloverdale Fire Departments. The event will take place on Easter Sunday, April 20, at 1 p.m. at Creekside Park and the adjoining Sisters Creekside Campground, regardless of weather. The Easter Bunny will be present to greet all. Parking is limited so plan to be a little early. Children wishing to participate are asked to be at the parks 20 minutes before 1 p.m. so they can be divided into
the appropriate age groups. Children are divided into the following groups: Infants to two-years-old will be in the red area; 3-5 will be in the yellow area; 6-8 will be in the blue area; 9-11 will be in the white area.
Be prompt; the eggs disappear fast. There are prizes for finding the golden eggs. For more information, contact the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Department at 541-549-0771.
Park addresses are Creekside Park 657 E. Jefferson Ave.; Sisters Creekside Campground, 504 S. Locust St.
Clarification on school counseling programs
Re: “School counseling programs among best,” (The Nugget, March 26, page 3).
Counselor Kelsey Jaeckel clarified an aspect of the Sisters programs that have earned national recognition:
BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS
Al -Anon
Mon., noon, Shepherd of t he Hills Lutheran Church. 5 41-610 -7383.
Alcoholics A nonymou s
Monday, 5 p.m., Shepherd of t he Hills
Lutheran Church • Tuesday, noon, Big Book study, Shepherd of t he Hills Lutheran Church • Wednesday, 7 a.m.,G entlemen’s meeting, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church • Thursday, noon, Sober Sisters Women’s meeting, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Thursday, 7 p.m., Episc opal Church of the Transf iguration • Fr iday, noon, Step & Tradition meeting, Shepherd of t he Hills Lutheran Church. 5 41-5 48 -0 440. Saturday, 8 a.m., Episc opal Church of the Transf iguration
Central Oregon F ly Tye rs G uild
For Saturday meeting dates and location, email: steelef ly@msn.c om
Central Oregon Trail A lliance (COTA) Sisters Chapter meets monthly for a meeting, group bike ride, or event. Contact sistersrep@cotamtb.com for info.
Ci tizens4Communit y C ommunity Builders meeting, 3rd Wednesday of ever y mont h, 10 to 11:30 a.m. V isit citizens 4c ommunity.c om for loc ation.
SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR
Council on Aging of Cent ral O rego n Senior Lunch In- person community dining, Tues. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grab -and -go lunch Tues., Wed., Thurs 12:3 0 to 1 p.m. Sisters C ommunity Church. 5 41-4 8 0-18 43 East of the Cascades Quilt Guild 4th Wed. (September- June), Stitchin’ Post . A ll are welcome. 5 41-5 49 -6 061.
G o Fish Fishing G roup 3rd Monday 7 p.m., Siste rs C ommunity Church. 541-771-2211
Hear twarmers (f leec e blanketmaker s) 2nd Tuesday, 1 p.m., Siste rs Communit y Church. M ater ials provided. 541- 408 -8 505.
Hero Q uilters of Sisters Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m. 5 41-6 68 -1755
Living Well W ith Dementia Sisters
Care Par tner suppor t group. 2nd & 4th Weds 1-2:30 p.m. Sisters Senior Living. 541- 647- 0052
Mili tary Parent s of Sisters Meetings are held quarter ly; please c all 5 41-388 -9 013.
Oregon Band of Brothers Sisters Chapter meets Wednesda ys, 11:30 a.m., Takoda’s Restaurant. 5 41-5 49 -6 469.
Sisters Aglow Lighthouse 4th Saturday, 10 a.m., meeting by Zoom. 503- 93 0- 6158
Sisters Area Photography Club 2nd Wednesday, 3:3 0 p.m., at Sisters Communit y Church. 5 41-5 49 -6157.
Sisters Area Woodworke rs First Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m. 5 41-231-18 97
Sisters Bridge Club Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. at Sisters C ommunity Church. Email sister sbridge2021@gmail.com.
Sisters Caregi ver Sup por t G roup 3rd Wednesday., 10:30 a.m., Siste rs Episcopal Church. 503 -616 -8712.
Sisters Cribbage C lub M eets 11 a.m. ever y Wed. at S PR D. 5 09 -9 47-574 4.
Sisters Garden C lub For monthly meetings visit: SistersGardenClub.com.
Sisters Habitat for Humanit y Board of D irectors 4th Tuesday, 4:3 0 p.m.
Location infor mation: 5 41-5 49 -1193.
Sisters Kiwani s 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 11:3 0 a.m. to 1 p.m., at The Lodge in Sisters. 5 41-6 32-3663.
Sisters Parent Teacher Communit y 2nd Tuesday, 6 p.m. at Sisters Elementary School Commons. 917-219-8298
Sisters Red Hat s 1st Friday. For location infor mation, please c all: 541- 8 48 -1970.
Sisters Rotary 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, Noon, Aspen Lakes. 5 41-760 -5 64 5.
“The data-driven decisions are to move toward equitable outcomes for all students. We do this by using a variety of data sources such as achievement (grades and test scores), attendance, and discipline referrals, to create interventions that support underserved students and to close achievement gaps. This process includes collaboration and education. School Counselors and counseling programs are not part of discipline decisions or administering discipline to students.
Sisters Sno- Go -Fers Snow mobile Club Meets 2nd Wednesday at Takoda’s, 6 p.m. Email mailt o:Sisterssnogofers@ gmail.com.
Sisters Veterans no- host lunch, Thursdays, noon, Takoda’s Rest aurant. All veterans welcome, 5 41-241-6 56 3.
Sisters Trails A lliance Board Meetings take plac e ever y other month, 5 p.m. In- person or zoom. Contact: info@sisterstrails.org
Three Sister s Irrigation Distric t Board of Direc tors M eets 1st Tuesday 10 a.m., TSI D Of fice. 5 41-9 03 -405 0.
Three Sister s Lions Club 2nd Thursday, 6:3 0 p.m., Spoons Rest aurant. 5 41-419 -1279. VF W Po st 813 8 and A merican Legion Post 8 6 1st Wednesday of the month, 6:3 0 p.m., Pine Meadow V illage Clubhouse, 596 W Jef ferson Ave. 541-241- 6563
SCHOOLS
Black Bu tt e School Board of Direc tors 2nd Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., Black But te School. 541- 59 5- 6203
Sisters School District Board of Directors O ne Wednesday m onthly, Sisters School District Administr ation Building. See schedule at www.ssd 6. org. 5 41-5 49 -8 521 x5 002.
“It is important to make this distinction, as the possibility of discipline associated with a school counselor can negatively impact students’ willingness or comfort with confiding in school counselors for support if they think they could be disciplined. Specifically, students come to school counselors for all kinds of reasons, including help with solving problems, peer conflicts, reporting bullying, and reporting
CIT Y & PARKS
Sisters Ci ty Council 2nd & 4t h Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Sisters Cit y Hall 541- 549- 6022
Sisters Park & Recreation District Board of Dire ctor s 2nd & 4th Tues., 4 p.m., C
FIRE & POLICE
PHOTO PROVIDED
Tom Lane went into cardiac arrest at Hoodoo in March. Quick action saved his life, and he and his wife thanked first responders on Saturday. See COUNSELING on page 20
Senior housing has had a fraught history in Sisters
By Sue Stafford Correspondent
The history of congregate housing for seniors in Sisters has been full of hope, uncertainty, and disappointment, despite the modern facility located at 411 E. Carpenter Ln., known originally as The Lodge and more recently as Sisters Senior Living (SSL).
Over a month ago, big changes were announced at SSL that impacted most of the residents.
As of April 24, SSL will no longer accept Medicaid, meaning 15 residents have had to find alternate housing. They are also pulling their certification as an assisted living facility, which means residents will all be independent and will have to contract individually with an outside provider for any assistance they may need. That has caused other residents to also find alternate housing.
The Lodge was originally slated to be built as part of a development called McKenzie Meadow Village (MMV), on three contiguous pieces of property near the high school, owned by Bill and Zoe Willitts, Curt Kallberg, and the Reed family. It was annexed into the City in the early 2000s.
According to Bill Willitts, “We were all longtime members of the Sisters community and we wanted to do a project that would benefit the entire community. There were plans for a senior living facility, a community center, small cottages with front
porches, low-income senior apartments, a large central park, a community garden, and some single-family homes.”
There were talks with the Sisters School District to create programs where students would assist MMV residents in a number of ways. The current Mosaic Medical Center next to the high school was originally planned with Deschutes County to be a combination school-based healthcare center and an immediate care facility for residents of MMV. Partners in Care Hospice was going to have a presence.
As part of the City’s approval, with the encouragement of two City Councilors, a stipulation required the senior living facility to be built before any other development of the
property. That stipulation put all the weight on getting the senior living project off the ground, and it would eventually kill the whole project.
At one of the public hearings concerning The Lodge and the timeframe stipulation, partner Kallberg made an emotional appeal, saying with tears in his eyes, “I just want to get this project built so my mom can live here.” Kallberg’s mother has since passed away.
An out-of-state developer/ investor learned of the plan and approached the partners with an offer to buy the land on which The Lodge would sit, build the building, and manage it. He assured the partners he had a group of investors and would secure the remaining funding necessary to complete the project. The partners were willing to sell the land for a reduced
price. A contract was signed.
The site plan was approved in 2011. The Lodge was to be financed with $8.7 million in debt, in addition to the $2 million raised from investors. It was not to be.
In August 2013, the investors were not informed that the purchase and sale agreement for The Lodge’s proposed site in MMV had expired due to the developer’s inability to secure financing, and that a competing facility was being planned at the site formerly planned for The Lodge.
Years of legal wrangling ensued. The MMV partners
were hit with legal fees and were unable to develop any other parts of the property due to the City’s stipulation about first completing The Lodge, so the decision was made to sell the property to Hayden Homes for their new housing development. The partners’ dream for MMV died.
However, in 2015, that same developer and Sisters Lodge Holdings LLC had purchased land near the post office for construction of The Lodge and another chapter in Sisters senior living began. That story will continue next week.
Muddy trails — a sure sign of spring
By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
It’s April, and with it daffodils and tulips are poking their heads above ground, in some cases pushing through snow to display their beauty. Warming weather brings out more hikers and bikers.
As dozens of the winter migration yellow road closure signs in the Sisters Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest came down March 31, thousands of more acres were opened in the Metolius and Tumalo winter ranges, the latter bounding Sisters, primarily east of FS Road 16, a popular playground for Sisters Country recreationalists.
Winter range is habitat deer and elk migrate to find more favorable living conditions during the winter. Winter range is found predominantly in lower elevations of central Oregon and is extremely important to elk and mule deer survival.
Winter ranges usually have minimal amounts of snow cover and provide vegetation for forage, hiding cover, and protection from
the weather. In Oregon, elk and mule deer migrate, often long distances, to lower elevations to escape or minimize exposure to snow cover.
Just as soon as those signs come down, many of the most heavily used trails maintained by Sisters Trail Alliance are sporting “Please Stay Off The Trails When Muddy” signs. And with good reason.
Super-saturated soils create deep and wide mud puddles sometimes covering whole sections of trail. These conditions make the trails most susceptible to soil compaction and erosion. Soil compaction reduces the ability for vegetation to grow and the ground to absorb water causing additional flooding potential. This leads to more erosion exposing rocks and roots.
The trail beds for those paths close to town are mostly dry and dust free. In many ways they are ideal. But as you go higher in elevation to trails experiencing snow melt or snow run off water, it’s obvious what to do: turn around when the trail is muddy. Soon it will dry out and you’ll be able to
enjoy the hike. Whatever you do, don’t widen the trail or damage vegetation by walking around the muddy areas, say forest managers.
Cyclists especially can cause enormous damage to wet trails, which can take hundreds of volunteer hours to rehabilitate.
Good boots are designed to get muddy. If you happen upon a mud puddle, walk through the mud and stick to the center of the path,
stepping on rocks whenever possible. Choose hikes at low elevations and southfacing slopes. These tend to dry out faster. Or hike early in the morning if overnight temperatures have frozen the trail.
It’s also time to take off your studded tires. Driving with studs after April 1 can garner a fine of $165. If you encounter wintry conditions after April 1, you will need to use chains or snow rated tires.
Traction tires provide better traction than studded tires on bare pavement and do not cause any more damage than standard tires, according to ODOT.
And speaking of signs, ODOT has now finished all signing for the Locust Street Roundabout. The last portion are the digital signs directing eastbound trucks who may be subject to the ODOT weigh station at the Highway 126/20 convergence.
’Tis the season of mud. Hiking or riding on muddy trails can cause extensive damage, so advocates are asking that people be mindful and avoid muddy areas.
PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT
Track teams compete at Hayward Field
By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent
The Outlaw track and field team made its first significant competitive foray of the season by traveling to iconic Hayward Field in Eugene April 4 and 5 for the Oregon Relays, which attracted dozens of high school teams from throughout the northwest to the world class facility for two days of relay-based competition.
Head coach Jonathan Kelly explained the significance of entering the meet by saying, “It is such a great opportunity and amazing experience for our athletes. For some of our athletes it was the first time they had ever been to Hayward Field, let alone having the chance to compete in a world class facility.”
He continued, “I think it was also a really fun bonding experience for our team as well. For how early it is in our season, our athletes competed very well. We also came away with some great experience in terms of other factors beyond time and place like race positioning, fueling throughout the day, and field event format set up. It’s such great practice for the state meet as well and helps many of the other meets seem much more approachable.”
Some events were conducted as individual competitions while others included traditional and non-traditional relays.
Results from the meet included:
Boys results:
100 meters: Spencer Davis 11.90
400 meters: John Berg 53.42
Mile Run: George Roberts 4:44.49 and Bauer Ellis 4:45.01
4 x 100: Spencer Davis, Teegan Schwartz, Atom Fetterhoff, Broderick Womack 47.10
4 x 400: Charlie Moen, Spencer Tisdel, Spencer Davis, John Berg 3:41.20
4 x 800 Spencer Tisdel, Thomas Hamerly, River Dalton, Finn Clark 9:25.87
Sprint Medley
100/100/200/400: Fetterhoff, Schwartz, Berg, Moen 1:44.79
1600 Sprint Medley 200/200/400/800: Davis, Fetterhoff, Berg, Roberts Distance Medley 1200/400/800/1600: Tisdel, Hamerly, Clark, Ellis 11:52.77
Triple Jump: Teegan Schwartz: 36 feet 5.75.
Girls results:
100 meters: Selah Sanford 13.56 and Nona Smith 13.67 400 meters: Nona Smith
1:02.29 and Brooke Duey
1:04.40
800 meters: Josie Ryan 2:42.11
300 hurdles: Althea Crabtree 51.53
4 x 100: Sanford, Addie Clayton, Norah Thorsett, Kate Singleton 57.10
4 x 400: Ryan, Duey, Crabtree, Smith 4:32.91
Sprint Medley
100/100/200/400: 2:08.56
1600 Sprint Medley 200/200/400/800: Smith, Singleton, Duey, Sofia Clark 4:57.54
High Jump: Althea Crabtree 4 feet 9 inches
Pole Vault: Mae Roth 10 feet 6 (personal best outdoors).
The Outlaws will stay close to home this week with two meets including the Redmond Farewell Fest hosted by the Panthers against Burns, Culver, La Pine, Paisley, and Redmond Wednesday, April 9. Field events are slated to begin at 3:30 and running events at 4:30.
On Saturday, April 12, the Outlaws will host the Sisters Invitational featuring teams from Burns, Glide, La Pine, Madras, Redmond, and Santiam. Field events begin at 11:30 and running events at 12:30.
Hillfolk Noir will roll into Sisters
SFF Presents will host a concert with the Boise-based Americana trio Hillfolk Noir on Saturday, May 3, at The Belfry.
Built on more than 15 years of tradition, Hillfolk takes their acoustic guitar, double bass, and “anything you can find at a hardware store” sound and integrates driving drums and an electrified sound, kicking down limitations to create a vibe that goes beyond their “junkerdash” roots. Tickets are on sale now at https:// aftontickets.com/hillfolk/.
Hailing from Boise, Idaho, Hillfolk Noir has been carving their own musical path for over a decade. Their sound is uniquely their own – grooving, raucous, genre-bending, and always a ton of fun. The indelible through-line is rooted in the band’s song craftsmanship. From mountains of frontman Travis Ward’s ragged, spiralbound notebooks comes the hard and tender. They can blow the roof off the place or draw you around the fire with their earnest musical narratives of the back alleys,
the open range, and the front porch. They paint with sound the earnest stories about the lives of lovers, law-breakers, and the lion-hearted — heroes and outcasts alike.
The concert will be held at The Belfry at 302 E. Main Ave. in Sisters. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15
for adults and $10 for youth/ students. Additional artist information can be found at https://www.sffpresents.org/ concerts. This is a general admission, all ages show. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Be sure to follow @SFFPresents on Instagram and Facebook for updates and additional information.
Hillfolk Noir is set to perform at The Belfry in a SFF Presents event.
PHOTO PROVIDED
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.
Who’s evil?
To the Editor:
There has not been enough attention paid to the consequences of the supposed waste and fraud cuts of Musk’s DOGE and Trump. Let’s focus on USAID. Trump issued an executive order that froze all foreign aid on January 20. The freeze of USAID funds has been winding its way through the courts since resulting in a discontinuation of USAID functions on March 28. In case you are unaware, USAID programs saved between 2.3 to 5.6 million lives a year.
USAID accounted for 0.3 percent of all federal spending in FY 2024. What was done to examine waste and fraud with this vital agency? The answer is nothing. While we wait to see if any resumption of these programs is restored within the State Department, hundreds of thousands of people will die that otherwise would not. Trump and Musk are directly responsible.
Musk, the richest man on the planet, recently called Governor Tim Walz evil because he joked about Tesla stock plummeting. I’ll let you decide who is evil.
Bruce Hess
To the Editor:
s s s
Lifeboat
Captain Trump is willfully steering the ship of state toward an iceberg. What bad could happen? The delusional, gullible, and lowinformation people who voted for him will no doubt need a lifeboat. Good luck.
Gary Leiser
s s s
Stop development
To the Editor:
We moved to Tollgate community to get away from developers making land-grabs for no other purpose than to line their own pockets. This development (McKenzie Meadows) encroaches upon the livability of our neighborhood (Tollgate), as it stands, this development will not provide any affordable housing to solve our current situation. It will only provide first sale land/structure sales, which will then result in secondary and tertiary home value increases to the benefit of “the wealthy”and not Sisters and its need for supportive housing. Pushing Sisters Country Development west towards our forestlands while increasing density is the wrong direction to take. Please stop this.
I hail from Pacific Palisades, California,
and I’m still going through the loss of community resulting from the catastrophic fire event to which some of our Sisters firefighters supported its fight. Density played a very large role in that fire along with the lack of firefighters and water to defend such events.
Wake up people!
We are living in a very tough current situation in Sisters country from the threat of disasters and the insurance community looking to gain back profits lost due to fires like Palisades and Eaton fires; and increasing density without the ability to defend must be reconsidered.
As a retired insurance professional, along with all of us in moderate-to-high-risk areas, we need to spend more time considering how to defend our community and less time on development until we can get a handle on this situation.
Stop the madness!
Peter and Robin Nielsen
s s s
From the superintendent
To the Editor:
At the recent school board meeting, several important updates and developments were shared. Joan Warburg, Sisters Elementary School Principal, and Melissa Smith, ELL Instructor, introduced the newly selected K-3 ELD curriculum, “National Geographic Reach Higher.” The curriculum received positive feedback from students for its engaging visuals and culturally relevant content. It also offers multiple levels to support students at various stages of their educational journey.
Joe Hosang, Director of HR & Curriculum, presented the State Integrated Grants Program, which will be submitted to the Oregon Department of Education by the end of the month. The program, organized around nine reports with specific goals and a proposed budget, is designed to effectively address student needs. More information can be found on the district website.
Updates were also provided on district facilities and operations. During spring break, several projects were completed, including the replacement of 54 windows that had defects or were damaged during construction. The slab for the new greenhouse was also poured, with construction by a volunteer group set to begin soon. Sun West was recognized for their excellent partnership throughout the construction process.
The recent ribbon-cutting ceremony for
Business owners to gather in Sisters
Makin’ it Local, a downtown Sisters art gallery, will host the Sisters Business Association’s (SBA) April Sip and Mingle on Wednesday, April 16. Doors open at 5 p.m., SBA board, guest introductions, and updates are set at 5:30 p.m., and the event continues with networking, collaboration, and mingle time allotted until 7 p.m.
The business-centric event promises a fun and engaging experience for all business owners and managers
in the Sisters area. Friends and Vine, a Sisters wine shop, will pour a selection of Oregon wine, beer, cider, and sparkling water. Light hors d’oeuvres will be provided by Sisters Depot and Luckey’s Woodsman.
Participants are invited to drop a business card to win a $50 gift card from Makin’ it Local. Reservations are not required, and the event is free for all Sisters area business owners, managers, and guests. Makin’ it Local is located at 281 W. Cascade Ave.
with The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters Rotary, and Sisters Kiwanis, titled “Wildfire in Sisters Country, Part 1: Are We Ready?” This is the first of a a two-part series of community forums on this critical issue.
The forum is set for Sunday, April 13, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Sisters Elementary School, 2155 McKinney Butte Road.
The City of Sisters is currently working on code revisions to make the community more resilient to wildfire.
“We’re pretty close to the finish line on adopting new defensible code in the Development Code,” said Mayor Jennifer Letz.
Letz will be one of the panelists kicking off community discussion on wildfire readiness.
Her role, she said, would be to “highlight what we can do on the policy side of things.”
Wildfire risk has driven skyrocketing homeowners insurance premiums — and has driven some insurers out of the market altogether. This development has created consternation across Sisters Country. Letz said that policy action to address
wildfire danger and “harden” communities can “put us in a good position when the insurance industry becomes more proactive.”
The forum features Letz among local experts with decades of experience in wildfire and emergency management, including: Steven Lord - Community Risk Specialist, Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District; Sgt. Nathan Garibay - Emergency Services Manager, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office; and Craig Letz - Principal and Co-Owner, Tamarack Wildfire Consulting. The panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A session with the audience, moderated by C4C Executive Director Kellen Klein.
Wildfire used to be of greatest concern to residents of the so-called wild landurban interface, areas on the fringes of the forest. That has changed, as we have seen wildfires become urban conflagrations.
“The situation has
changed,” Craig Letz told The Nugget. “This is not a public lands issue anymore.”
In fires where homes are lost, the culprit is almost always embers, some thrown miles away from the main body of a fire by high winds.
“It’s all about the embers,” Letz said. “And that is what the defensible space and hardening standards are created to mitigate.”
Lord notes that defensible space standards have tightened. Homeowners should not have anything , even grass, up to five feet from their foundation. Roofs should be cleared of debris like pine needles at least twice a year.
Lord said that the SistersCamp Sherman Fire District conducts assessments for homeowners in the area, and he will be offering information on signing up for an assessment.
That assessment includes accessibility of your property for firefighting rigs. If fire fighters cannot safely bring
apparatus onto your property, they cannot fight fire that threatens your home.
Lord advises locals to have detailed conversations with their insurance agents about their expectations for maintaining defensible space. While defensible space standards may seem to have become stringent to the point of draconian, there is a reason behind it. Especially in a wind-driven fire, embers can ignite anything left against your house — and burn it down. Even a wreath on the door could be a problem, Lord notes.
Improving defensible space standards, hardening homes, and applying other mitigation protocols, like installing sprinkler systems, will be critical in getting insurance companies comfortable with writing policies
in Sisters again, Lord notes. The concerns over insurance will be addressed in detail in the second part of the forum at a date to be announced.
Immediately following the discussion, participants are invited to walk through an on-site Preparedness Fair. Dozens of local organizations will be on hand offering resources and expertise around critical topics like evacuation routes, communication systems, “go bags,” home hardening, defensible space, first aid training, and more.
Child care will be available on site, and those who cannot attend can view a livestream of the discussion. For more information, visit https://citizens4 community.com/events/ spring-forum-25.
Sisters Garden Club Meeting
Sisters Garden Club invites the public to their monthly meeting on Saturday, April 12. e presentation will be by Jerad with Accelerated Organics, on best practices for organic lawn care and landscaping in the high desert! Learn how to nurture beneficial microbes and create thriving soil habitats . e meeting is at Sisters Community Church, 130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy
e meeting starts at 10 a .m. with doors opening at 9:30. Science Education Fundraiser
e Sisters Science Club will hold a Science Education Fundraiser on Sunday, April 27, f rom 2 to 5 p.m. at FivePine Lodge & Conference Center, 1021 E Desperado Trail. Learn about what’s happening with science in our schools and how you can help further that e ort. Funds raised will be for science-related field trips, science teacher conferences , and updated science equipment. Hors d’oeuvres & drinks provided. Reservations at Eventbrite on the SSC website: www sistersscienceclub.org. For more info, call/text 541-706 -1838.
Sisters French Club
For people interested in French culture and language, Sisters French Club meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m . at e Barn, 171 E . Main Ave. All levels are welcome. For more information, visit Facebook @SistersFrenchClub.
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.
Volunteer at Sisters Habitat for Humanity
Help Habit at build hope and homes in Sisters, connect with new people, make f riends, and make a di erence in our communit y. Volunteer today! Learn more at sistershabitat.org/ volunteer or call 541-549-1193.
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
A NNOUNCEMENT S
THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS
Saturday, April 12
Sisters Garden Club
Sisters Community Church
Sunday, April 13
Wildfire in Sisters Country Sisters Elementary School
Wednesday, April 16
Wildfire Preparedness Fair
Sisters Fire Hall
e Peaceful Presence
Projec t Connection Cafés
Communit y members will come together at weekly “Connection Cafés” for supportive dialogue around personal experiences with illness , death, and grief ese gathering spaces provide compassionate human contact and ensure that people’s health-related social needs are being addressed proactively
e Sisters Connection Cafés will meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month April 2 to June 18 , f rom 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Sisters Libra Participants may attend one or all. ere is no charge, and a are welcome. Info: 541-293-8
Wildfire Preparedness Fai Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District invites you to a communit y event on wildfir preparedness . Local, count y state agenc y professionals will speak on the upcoming wildfi season and their respective planning. Guest presenters from Cit y of Sisters , OSU Extension O ce (fire-resistive plants), Sisters Ranger District, Deschutes Count y Health, and State of Oregon (state of homeowners insurance).
Sisters Careg iver Support
A f acilitated support group for caregivers of those with chronic or life-shor tening diseases meets 10 :30 to 11:30 a .m. on the third Wednesday of ever y month at Sisters Episcopal Church of e Transfiguration, 121 Brook s Camp Rd . For more information, please call 503-616 -8712.
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
PET OF
E WEEK
LEIA
Leia is a sweet 1-yearold Siberian Husky mix
Although she may be shy at first, Leia warms up to treats, gentle pets , and enriching walk s with new f riends
Additional experts will be on hand to answer questions at the booth space. Wednesday, April 16 , 5 to 8 p.m. at the Sisters Fire Hall, 301 S . Elm St. Questions? Contact Steven Lord, community risk and fire specialist, at 541-549-0771.
STARS Seeks Volunteers to Transpor t Patients Help Sisters Countr y residents get to nonemergency medical appointments in Sisters , Redmond, and Bend . Attend a free t wo-hour training. Emails from STARS dispatchers allow you to accept dates and times that work for your schedule, and a mileage reimbursement is included. Learn more at www starsride.org and volunteer to keep Sisters healthy one ride at a time.
ation o f Life
A Celebration of Life for Jan Baldwin will be held at noon on Saturday, April 19, at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Sisters. A reception will follow.
Weekly Food Pantry
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.
Wildfire in Sisters Country On Sunday, April 13, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., join Citizens4Community and other sponsors for the first in a t wopart series ex amining one of our communit y’s greatest threats Leave with concrete actions to better prepare for fire season. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. at Sisters Elementar y School. Free admission, drop-in childcare, and livestream available. Learn more at tinyurl.com/C4Cfire
Sisters Museum Opens
New Exhibit e Sisters Museum is proud to announce that their newest exhibit, “Ranching and Farming Around Sisters,” has opened. Early visitors have called it “informative” and “ fascinating.” It traces properties in the area back to the 180 0s with maps, photos , artif acts , and stories to share. Stop by the Museum at 151 N . Spruce on a Friday or Saturday f rom 10 a .m. to 4 p.m., to view the exhibit.
Free Weekly Meal Service
Family Kitchen hosts weekly togo hot meals on Tuesdays , 4:30 to 6 p.m., at Sisters Community Church, 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy Visit www.FamilyKitchen .org
Ea ster Church S & Event s
Sisters Community Church
Good Friday, April 18: Ser vice at 6 p.m. E aster Ser vices , April 20 : Sunrise ser vice at 6:13 a .m.; Regular ser vices at 8 and 10 a.m. For more information call 541-549-1201, or info@ sisterschurch.com.
Fire Depar tment
Easter Eg g Hunt
— SPONSORED BY —
S Francois’ Workshop 541-549-0605 541-815-0624
Kids age 0 to 11 are invited to the annual Easter Egg Hunt co-sponsored by the SistersCamp Sherman and Cloverdale fire districts . e hunt is on, regardless of weather, Easter Sunday, April 20, at 1 p.m. at the adjoining Creekside Park and Sisters Creekside Campground. e Easter Bunny will be present to greet all. Arrive 20 minutes early so kids can be divided into age groups. Be prompt, as the eggs go f ast! For information, cont act Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District at 541-549-0771.
isters Church f azaren
You’re invited to celebrate the hope of Easter — Jesus is alive! 67130 Harrington Loop Rd . Continental breakfast at 9:30, worship ser vice at 10 a .m., followe d by E aster eg g hunt for children. For more information, call 541-389-8960 or email info@sistersna z.org.
St . Edward the Mar tyr Easter ser vices are as follows: Holy ursday, April 17: Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7 p.m.; Good Friday, April 18: Stations of the Cross at 6:30 p.m., a nd e Passion Ser vice at 7 p.m.; Holy Saturday, April 19: E aster Vigil at 8:30 p.m.; E aster Sunday, April 20 : Mass at 9 a.m. For more information go to www.stedwardsisters .org
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 charge. Business items do not run on this page. All submissions subject to editing and run as space allows . Email lisa@nug getnews .com or drop o at 4 42 E . Main Ave. Deadline is 5 p.m.
Gallery to host evening of art and music on April 24
Printmaker and author Denise Kester will be featured in a special “Meet the Author” event on Thursday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m. at Sisters Gallery and Frame Shop. She will be joined by Sisters singer and songwriter Kathy Marshall. Seating is limited due to the size of the venue, and a suggested donation of $5 will be given to the Kiwanis Food Bank.
Kester will talk about her artwork and her book, “Drawing on the Dream: Finding my way by art,” which has just been published in its second edition. This version of her popular book includes the story of how, as an established artist struggling to find her direction at the end of the pandemic, she came to be one of the Oregon artists featured at the gallery.
“I will be talking about how my book came into being,” Kester says, “and I will read from a couple of short chapters that tell the story of ‘She Let Her Words Fly Forth’ and ‘Coyote Teacher.’ I will also share what I learned from creating during a dark and stormy year and discuss what’s new and the way forward.”
“‘Drawing on the Dream’ is my account of using art to navigate my life,” she explains. “It includes my artwork in all stages and the stories and poetry that inspired or illuminated my work. It is a book about being creative in a modern, demanding world.”
A full-time studio artist since 1989, Kester is the owner and distributor of “Drawing on the Dream” note cards, original artwork, reproductions, and figurines. She studied art and education at the University of Georgia and printmaking at Southern Oregon University in Ashland. She specializes in monoprint and monotype viscosity printing as
well as mixed media, drawing and painting. She is also a founder of The Talent Gallery in Talent, Oregon. Kester, who lives and works in Ashland, and Marshall, who lives in Sisters, have an intriguing bond with gallery owners Dennis and Helen Schmidling. The gallery owners and Marshall, coincidentally, bumped into each other at an open studio event at Kester’s home studio in Ashland, back in the fall of 2023, at which time Marshall purchased one of Kester’s prints, which inspired her to write a song, “A Raven’s Dream,” the title track of her newest CD. She also had the gallery owners frame the print, which will be on display. Ravens appear frequently in Kester’s work, and the gallery also features intriguing sculptures of ravens created by local clay artist Michelle Deaderick, who will also be at this event.
Marshall grew up on
Chicago’s west side, influenced by blues, gospel, and Motown melodies. She drew inspiration from the diverse
sounds of the ‘70s and ‘80s.
In 2006, during the Sisters Folk Festival’s Song Camp, she fully embraced her musical vocation. “A Raven’s Dream” is her fourth album and includes the talents of many local artists. Produced by Brent Alan, it features vocal harmonies by him, as well as Beth Wood, Dana Abel, Jen Behnke, and Julia
Boris; violinist Bob Baker, Matt Cartmill on cello, Jeff Ingraham on drums, and Benji Nagel on electric guitar and dobro. Kester will be the featured artist during the gallery’s Fourth Friday Artwalk on the following evening, with signed books, original artwork, reproductions, and cards.
A Raven’s Dream by Denise Kester.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Printmaker Denise Kester will talk about her artwork and her book at a special event at Sisters Gallery and Frame Shop.
PHOTO
Citizens are weighing in on preferences
Shuster said: “There is an active and displeased group of people commenting on the Sisters Community Updates and News Facebook thread. Check out a post from Rebecca Ryan Green and the ensuing comments. I am sure someone there would be happy to go on the record. No one wants to offend these artists (me included), but we cannot have that be the reason we settle for something people don’t want.”
Indeed, a look at the Facebook group with 5,500 followers shows frustration with the final selections.
An opinion poll put first to the community via the social media app, Next Door, and later expanded to a wider group, shows a split impression. As of Sunday morning 54 percent of respondents indicated that they had an “unfavorable” impression of the works. Of those, twothirds had a “strongly unfavorable” opinion.
Of the 46 percent who had a favorable impression, a third were “strongly favorable.”
stallion statue at the northeast corner of Cascade and Larch Streets moved to the roundabout.
“Nothing rings my bell here as it is too busy,” she said. “I liked the idea of moving the horse to the roundabout. You could put some big rocks artfully around him.”
Linda Warnholtz sees the winning submission placed where the stallion is now.
“May I suggest you put one of the new statues where the horse was. It’ll give people stopped in traffic a chance to view the wonderful detail on whichever is chosen.”
the two submissions; and both seem very old in design thought and lack innovation. Would like something that is more modern. The roundabout by Ray’s manages to nod to Sisters and Central Oregon in a true yet modern interpretation. I am not a fan of either of the Locust Street roundabout art submissions,” to “I like both — especially the one with the soaring eagle.”
Of the two dozen comments, almost three quarters mentioned moving the stal
expected to take up the decision at its April 23 meeting. The project budget for the artwork is $175,000. This amount does not include landscaping. ROUNDABOUT:
When asked if the city would take into consideration the survey results, City Manager Jordan Wheeler responded: “The Council can certainly decide to not move forward, go back out for a third call for artists, or do something else entirely with the roundabout. This was the second call — the first did not produce viable proposals — and we had over 50 submissions that were narrowed down by a RFP committee that included artists, business owners, a teacher, and ODOT.
“Just to expand on the process a bit,” he added, “the committee reviewed the 50 plus submissions to ensure that the artist was experienced and capable, the proposed artwork was technically viable and of suitable materials, within the budget, and was original and met the western heritage theme and our community character. The committee felt that these pieces and artists best matched that criteria to forward to the community and council for their consideration.”
The online survey of 159 respondents found that of those expressing an unfavorable opinion, 53 percent wanted to “reject and start over;” 23 percent would “accept it and move on;” and 24 percent wanted to “find a way to improve or enhance the submissions.”
Robin Holm is among those who would like to see the 10-foot-tall rearing
Comments to the survey were evenly mixed. They ranged from, “There is not enough of a choice between
lion as a preference. Local artists and landscapers say that the metal horse is not large enough in scale to fill the space and would require other elements to make it visually appealing. Council is tentatively
-
Through Time by Dan Chen.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Pride of Place by Karen Yank.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Some citizens want to move an existing stallion sculpture to the Locust/ Highway 20 roundabout.
PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT
Stars over Sisters
By Keelan Doyle and Samantha Reyes Guest Columnists
There is a small constellation of late winter/early spring that is often overlooked by sky watchers. The main reason for this is that few astronomical attractions are found here, except for one. Procyon is this constellation’s brightest star (seventh brightest in the entire sky), which marks the eastern-most vertex of the Winter Triangle. Yes, we’re referring to none other than Canis Minor, the smaller of Orion’s two hunting dogs. The other two members of the Winter Triangle are Sirius in Canis Major and Betelgeuse in Orion. Look for this feature in the southwestern sky at 9 p.m. local time in April.
While this patch of sky is not overflowing with celestial treasures to see, it is rich in sky lore. According to one account, Canis Minor (the “lesser dog” in Latin) was placed at the bank of the Milky Way by one of the gods, ensuring that it would never be thirsty. In other stories, the lesser dog goes by the name of Maera and was the dog of the winemaker Icarus. In this myth, Icarus was killed by a group of Shepherds who thought the wine that Icarus gave them was poisonous. When Maera saw Icarus’ dead body, the dog and Icarus’ daughter, Erigone, were so overcome by grief that they took their own lives. Zeus later placed their images in the sky. Icarius is associated with Boötes, the Herdsman, Erigone with the constellation Virgo, and Maera with Canis Minor.
Procyon is a binary star system that is composed of a stable, white primary star that is slightly more massive and brighter than our sun, and an extremely hot and dense white dwarf companion star that orbits nearby. The system is a mere 11.4 light-years from earth. The small dog’s second brightest star is Gomeisa, a bluishwhite star that lies approximately 170 light-years away. The brightest deep sky object in Canis Minor is NGC 2485, a spiral galaxy located approximately three and a half degrees northeast Procyon. However, shining at a magnitude of just 12.4, it is beyond the reach of many amateur telescopes.
An even fainter celestial body is Abell 24, a planetary nebula that glows at magnitude 13.6. A sun-like star nearing the end of its life has become unstable and is shedding its outer atmosphere into nearby space. A remarkable picture of this object was recently taken
by the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile. Abell 24 lies at a distance of about 1,730 light-years.
This year the Lyrids meteor shower peaks on the evening of April 21, and morning of April 22. Start looking for these meteors beginning at midnight on the 21st until 4 a.m. the next morning when light from a rising last quarter moon will interfere. NASA expects about 18 meteors per hour to streak across the sky. The shooting stars result from the earth moving through a debris field left behind by
Comet Thatcher and will appear to emanate from the constellation of Lyra.
While Jupiter in Taurus and Mars in Cancer occupy the evening sky this month, Venus, Mercury, and Saturn are clustered together in morning’s predawn sky. On April 12, look for the trio low on the eastern horizon about half an hour before sunrise.
The full Pink Moon will arrive on April 12.
To ensure that celestial wonders such as we’ve described can remain visible to the people of Sisters, Oregon, turn outdoor lights off when not in use.
SHEPHERD:
represents community and tradition
Continued from page 1
the rodeo’s success and values the camaraderie that keeps him coming back each year.
When approached by the Sisters Rodeo Association about serving as Grand Marshal, Shepherd was initially hesitant, not being one to seek the spotlight. However, after learning more about the honor, he embraced the opportunity, recognizing
the importance of celebrating the people and traditions that make Sisters Rodeo special. As Grand Marshal, he will ride in a horse-drawn carriage during the rodeo parade and will be recognized during each performance.
For Shepherd, the Sisters Rodeo represents community, tradition, and excitement—three words that perfectly capture why it continues to thrive. He hopes to see the rodeo grow with fresh faces while maintaining its core values, ensuring it remains a highlight for the town of Sisters and the larger rodeo world.
Abell 24 is a planetary nebula created by a dying star 1,730 light-years away in the constellation of Canis Minor.
PHOTO COURTESY ESO
Continued from page 11
being ruthlessly targeted and attacked.This fiveyear-old wolf, the breeding male of the Metolius Pack, was our purest connection to the wild, to nature in its original form, a world in which we are all connected to.
As another mammal on this planet we share approximately 90 percent DNA with the wolf, yet we cast off our biological connectivity and ignore our social similarities. This wolf had a family like I do, like many of you do, he had a life partner that, like us, he provided for, was dedicated to, and depended upon her companionship. He fathered four pups with only three surviving; he would fight to the death to protect them from other predators, and he would play and teach his pups how to survive in a world that wants to see him fail.
His surviving pups, did they learn enough to hunt efficiently? Will his mate be able to protect and provide for his family without him, will her expectant new pups survive without his support?
The loss of this Metolius wolf, our wild connection to our vanishing wilderness, may be a challenge too great for his family to overcome. I mourn his loss not just for his family, or for those that I shared the unique experience of walking alongside his distinct paw prints in the mud and snow, or seeing his and his family images on the trail cameras that were placed. I mourn his loss because we are losing our ability to see the value of the natural world in all its magnificent forms. We are losing our connectedness to nature, its beauty and the knowledge in it that can heal us.
This wolf had ancient knowledge in its being that we could have learned from, but instead the poacher, ignorant and without understanding, decided he
could not allow for something so brave and honest to exist. This wolf did not pretend to be anything else but a wolf. Did his murderer believe that by killing him he was of greater morality or value, or did he fear that in the eyes of this wolf he was the lesser creature and could not accept his connectedness to nature’s wild spirit?
Aldo Leopold, the father of wildlife biology, once wrote, “We reached the old wolf in time to watch a fierce green fire dying in her eyes… I realized then, and have known ever since, that there was something new to me in those eyes — something known only to her and to the mountain.”
Wendy von Kalinowski
s s s
UGB Concepts
To the Editor:
I am opposed to the currently favored UGB Alternative 1 size and scope. However, if growth is warranted, it seems appropriate to divide it throughout town as the McKenzie Meadows expansion proposal does. It would make sense to include expansion near schools, businesses, and parks to keep traffic centralized. It could also reduce the acreage desired in Alternative 1.
Letters opposing the McKenzie Meadows expansion list the damage to the natural habitat if developed. So will be the situation if Alternative 1 in the UGB expansion is adopted. This area contains owl habitat, migratory/waterfowl areas, and almost a third of the proposed area is not developable due to the Whychus and Indian Ford Creek waterways and wetlands.
The push for sprawl in these areas is riddled with challenges to further development, especially with an eye towards affordable housing. Most of the favored UGB expansion area falls within the
“High Hazard” part of Wildfire Risk zone. We live in the northeast corner of the city limits adjacent Alternative 1. Our homeowners insurance will be dropped in June. And its replacement, if found, will probably be exponentially more.
Opinions seem to agree that the UGB expansion is not widely embraced. During the breakout session of the December 9 UGB open house, my table was comprised of people living near city limits or a mile out. The majority were very opposed to any UGB concept that moved the growth boundary close to or absorbed their property.
Can the UGB Committee shift focus to utilizing vacant parcels that do not encroach on natural habitats? And reduce its desired acreage?
There’s no opportunity for a referendum on any UGB action due to House Bill 4026, currently in litigation.
The next UGB steering meeting is April 24. Please voice your opinion on this matter.
Chris Gilbert s s s
Roundabout rules
To the Editor:
Oregon DMV Driving Rules states “Indicate your plan to exit using your right turn signal.”
However, few drivers actually use these indicating signals — quite possibly because roundabouts are relatively new to many parts of this country and most people do not stay abreast of new DMV driving rules.
Today I followed a DCSO patrol car through two roundabouts, and that officer never signaled before exiting. How can we expect the general population to obey these rules when enforcement officers do not? Lead by example.
David Hiller
Portraits OF SISTERS
Benji Nagel is a local farmer, musician, and second-generation Sisters native. He grew up with a passion for two things: music and gardening. In middle school he played trumpet, guitar, and bass. But at the age 20 he discovered a new form of jazz on the dobro — a resonating guitar you play with finger picks and a steel metal slide. That unique instrumental talent would go on to provide side gig opportunities throughout his life. He’s now 18 years on staff with the Americana Song Academy and assists in facilitating the Americana Project every year. But earlier in his life — at the crux of passion and career choice — working as a professional musician eventually led to a greater desire to be a career gardener. Benji founded Mahonia Gardens in 2013 after earning an environmental studies degree and completing an internship in Sonoma County, California. “We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into,” he says. He runs the garden just outside of town and The Stand on East Adams Avenue now, and when time and new friendships allow, plays the dobro for performing bands including his own, Skillethead. “I love living where there’s a strong community supporting each other,” he says about the things he values most. “It’s about my wife, my kids, community, and good food.”
Obituary
Alfred (Carson)
Peter Meyer
October 27, 1945 - January 24, 2025
Fred was born and raised in Torrington, Connecticut. He graduated from Torrington High School in 1963. After graduation, he worked in town at Litchfield Hills Lumber Co. Later that year, he enlisted himself in the U.S. Navy. He served for four years and was Honorably discharged as Petty Officer Third Class Meyer, Fire Control Technician (Guns), U.S. Navy. As a Veteran of the Vietnam War, Carson received three service medals. After his discharge from the U.S. Navy, Carson continued his education at the University of Connecticut, where he earned a bachelor’s in education, and went on to teach.
Fred had an adoration for everything outdoors. He spent some time in Alaska, fishing and running a tour bus with his friend Scott Wright, AKA Duda. He enjoyed skiing, fishing, hunting, biking, hiking, kayaking, and of course softball. He was left-handed and played first base. He played many years of softball in Connecticut and Vermont with his friends, that later became known as the “Connecticut Connection.”
Fred moved from Rockville, Connecticut, to his first house in Stowe, Vermont, on Shaw Hill Rd. in 1977. He worked as a carpenter and later owned and operated West Branch Painters. Fred loved dogs and was rarely without one or two. Frisco, Cody, Jammer, Bridger, and Tanner were all very well loved throughout the years.
Although Fred loved Vermont, the mountains and state parks were calling him, so he packed up and moved out west in the early 2000s. His first stop was Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where he quickly made friends who shared the same fondness for the outdoors. Fred drove a school bus to keep himself busy. This is where he evolved and started using the name Carson.
COUNSELING: Work is not oriented around discipline
Continued from page 3
concerns about a classmate’s safety. If students think that school counselors are associated with moving toward discipline, it could discourage them from seeking the help and confidence of a school
Later, Carson moved to Sisters, Oregon, as a retired man. He lived in different houses in town, but his true home was in the forest and the mountains. He and his dog Tanner took daily walks on the trails, or by rivers and lakes. Carson taught Tanner to be a good bird dog for hunting days in Sweet Home, Oregon. Not long after his arrival, he became friends with Jack Nagel. Jack wasn’t a hunter like Carson but was open to anyone’s story and became one of Carson’s dearest friends. They tinkered on cars, watched ball games, and sometimes enjoyed an evening beer at the local Saloon. He was a gentleman, quick to offer a smile and a handshake. He was always eager to help with projects, a great guy to have at your barn raising. Carson was a loyal friend and will be missed.
Carson passed away on January 24, 2025, after an extended conflict with Alzheimer’s disease among other medical afflictions. Carson was a resident at Country Side Living in Redmond, where the excellent staff helped him to live out his final year as comfortably as possible.
Carson is preceded in death by his mother Alice (Weber) Meyer, his father Peter W. Meyer, his sister Sandra J. (Meyer) Kess, her husband Michael F. Kess, and Carson’s grandson Levi B. Pothier.
He is survived by his daughter Jillian C. Westover.
Please look forward to celebrations of life for him in Oregon and Vermont when the weather is more welcoming. Family and friends will do their best to spread the word.
counselor, which is the opposite of what the role of a school counselor is within a school system.
To further clarify, this does not mean we don’t hold students accountable for their actions. If we are aware of a situation in which a student is not following school rules, etc., we report that to our administrators to follow discipline protocol.”
CASCADE GARAGE DOORS
Factory Trained Technicians
Since 1983 • CCB #44054 541-548-2215 • 541-382-4553
Construction & Renovation
Custom Residential Projects
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SPURGE COCHRAN BUILDER, INC.
General Contractor
Building Distinctive, Handcrafted Custom Homes, Additions, Remodels, Cabin Renovations Since ’74
A “Hands-On” Builder
Keeping Your Project on Time & On Budget • CCB #96016
To speak to Spurge personally, call 541-815-0523
Custom Homes • Additions
Residential Building Projects
Serving Sisters area since 1976
Strictly Quality
CCB #16891 • CCB #159020 541-280-9764
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Custom Homes Additions - Remodels
Residential Building Projects
Becke William Pierce
CCB# 190689 • 541-647-0384
Beckewpcontracting@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
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Earthwood Timber
• Recycled fir and pine beams
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EWDevCoLLC@gmail.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
602 Plumbing & Electric
Ridgeline Electric, LLC
Serving all of Central Oregon
• Residential • Commercial
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541-588-3088 • CCB #234821
SWEENEY
PLUMBING, INC.
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603 Excavation & Trucking
ROBINSON & OWEN
Heavy Construction, Inc.
All your excavation needs
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Drainfield
• Minor & Major Septic Repair
BANR Enterprises, LLC
Earthwork, Utilities, Grading, Hardscape, Rock Walls
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CCB #165122 • 541-549-6977 www.BANR.net
604 Heating & Cooling
ACTION AIR
Heating & Cooling, LLC
Retrofit • New Const • Remodel
Consulting, Service & Installs
actionairheatingandcooling.com
CCB #195556
541-549-6464
605 Painting
~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~ Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. Refurbishing Decks
CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620 www.frontier-painting.com
EMPIRE PAINTING
Interior and Exterior Painting and Staining
CCB#180042
541-613-1530 • Geoff Houk
Interior/Exterior Painting
Deck Refinishing Jacob deSmet 503-559-9327
peakperformancepainting1@ gmail.com • CCB#243491
606 Landscaping & Yard Maintenance
Keeping Sisters Country Beautiful Since 2006 candcnursery@gmail.com 541-549-2345
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
J&E Landscaping Maintenance LLC Clean-ups, raking, hauling debris, thatching, aerating, irrigation, mowing.
Edgar Cortez 541-610-8982
jandelspcing15@gmail.com All Landscaping Services Mowing, Thatching, Hauling Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740
Pat Burke
LOCALLY OWNED CRAFTSMAN BUILT
CCB: 228388 • 541-588-2062
www.sistersfencecompany.com
INFORMATION on LICENSING for Construction Contractors
An active license means your contractor is bonded and insured. Additional details are online at the Oregon CCB site: www.oregon.gov/CCB
• All Septic Needs/Design & Install
General Excavation
• Site Preparation
• Rock & Stump Removal
• Pond & Driveway Construction
Preparation
• Building Demolition
Trucking
• Deliver Top Soil, Sand, Gravel, Boulders, Water
• Dump Trucks, Transfer Trucks, Belly
• The Whole 9 Yards or 24 Whatever You Want!
STEVE'S HAULING
Yard and other debris, landscaping services, chain saw work, etc. 707-328-8370
– 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
607 Irrigation
Home/Commercial/Agriculture
New - Maintenance - Repair — licensed, bonded, insured — CCB#189719 • LCB#100529 LCP#16884 541-316-9259 rockspringsirr@gmail.com
701 Domestic Services
I & I Crystal Cleaning, LLC
Specializing in Commercial, Residential & Vacation Rentals. Licensed, Bonded & Insured. 541-977-1051
BLAKE & SON – Commercial, Home & Rentals Cleaning WINDOW CLEANING! Lic. & Bonded • 541-549-0897
802 Help Wanted
CERTIFIED LIFEGUARDS
NEEDED for SHS all-day graduation event on June 10th. Transportation, meals, and $150 included. Please email SistersHS2025@gmail.com if interested.
We are Hiring! Join our summer camp culture at Lake Creek Lodge. We're recruiting for: Housekeeping, Barista & Maintenance/ Landscaping. PT/FT. We are proud to offer flexible schedules and excellent compensation. www.lakecreeklodge.com 13375 SW Forest Service Rd. 1419, Camp Sherman Senior (female) needed to help as an occasional companion to a Senior in Tumalo. Must be willing to drive, have references. For healthy 90-year-old. 610-888-3551.
Seasonal Landscaping labor. Pay based on experience. Contact Alesha or Austin 541-419-5122
999 Public Notice PNGC POWER NOTICE OF INTENT TO FILE WITH THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL OF A PURPA JOINT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
Pacific Northwest Generating Cooperative d/b/a PNGC Power (“PNGC Power”) on behalf of itself and its member distribution cooperatives – including Central Electric Cooperative, Inc. – (the “Members”) hereby gives notice of their intent to file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) requesting approval of a proposed Joint PURPA Implementation Plan and certain limited waiver requests affecting implementation of their respective obligations under Section 210 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (“PURPA”).
The Joint Implementation Plan provides that (1) PNGC Power and each Member will interconnect with and operate in parallel with any Qualifying Facility (“QF”) under PURPA that adheres to applicable rules and regulations pertaining to generator interconnection; (2) on behalf of itself and each Member, PNGC Power will purchase capacity and energy from QFs at a rate equal to PNGC Power’s avoided costs; (3) each Member will sell supplementary, back-up, and maintenance power to a QF, upon request, on either a firm or interruptible basis, in accordance with the applicable law and the Member’s applicable rates, rules, and regulations governing retail service, and on the terms that are consistent with the ones offered to the Member's other customers with similar load or other cost-related characteristics; and (4) no QF will be subject to duplicative charges for interconnection or wheeling solely as a result of selling to PNGC Power and buying from a Member.
Alpine Landscape Maintenance
An All-Electric Landscape Company. Text/Call Paul 541.485.2837 alpine.landscapes@icloud.com
Eastern Cascade Solutions
Landscaping & Construction
www.easterncascadesolutions. com • 541-233-7195
LCB #9958 • CCB #222039
SUDOKU SOLUTION
for puzzle on page 21
In the filing with FERC, PNGC Power, on behalf of itself and the Members, will apply for waiver of certain obligations under Section 292.303 of FERC’s Regulations which, if granted, would result in (1) all purchases from QFs being made by PNGC Power and (2) all sales to QFs interconnected with the Member electric distribution systems being made by those Members. Copies of the proposed Joint Implementation Plan is available upon request by contacting PNGC at legal@pngcpower.com. PNGC Power will submit its filing to FERC on or after April 14, 2025. FERC will publish notice of PNGC Power’s filing in the Federal Register following receipt of the filing.
