The Nugget Vol. XLV No. 48
POSTAL CUSTOMER
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
www.NuggetNews.com
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
’Tis the season ... for snow removal
Ho! Ho! Ho!
PHOTO BY JERRY BALDOCK
Santa Claus made his appearance at the Sisters Holiday Parade, which means the Christmas season is officially underway in Sisters Country.
Agritourism supports farmers in region By Sue Stafford Correspondent
Farms and ranches around the country and right here in Central Oregon are diversifying their operations to offer opportunities for the public to experience what goes on at a working ranch or farm while providing additional income for ranchers and farmers. Agritourism is a way to add
value to a farm/ranch without adding acreage. In Deschutes County, the term agritourism refers to a commercial enterprise at a working farm or ranch that is incidental and subordinate to the existing farm use of the tract that promotes successful agriculture. The commercial enterprise generates See FARMERS on page 8
City looking ahead to new year By Sue Stafford Correspondent
For each fiscal year, July 1 to June 30, the City Council, with input from staff, adopts a set of goals to direct the work at City Hall for the coming year. The goals for 2022/23 cover seven specific areas including Livability a n d G r o w t h , Wi l d f i r e
Inside...
PRE-SORTED STANDARD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Sisters, OR Permit No. 15
Mitigation and Community R e s i l i e n c y, E c o n o m i c Development, Essential Infrastructure, Good Governance, Environmental Sustainability, and Urban Renewal Agency Goals. At halfway through the year, at least 16 of 23 specific projects are either completed or underway. See CITY on page 30
There may be a bit of the white stuff in the forecast, and while it’s a welcome element of Sisters’ winter wonderland, it carries some work along with it. Business and property owners in the city have some responsibility for snow removal. The City of Sisters’ snow removal contract applies to the downtown commercial core from Hood Avenue to Adams Avenue and from Pine Street to Locust Street on all public sidewalks, parking areas, and non-private alleys. See SNOW on page 21
K-9s join Black Butte Ranch PD By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
A pair of police K-9s have joined Black Butte Ranch’s Police Department — but perhaps not the kind that usually come to mind. Eight-year-old Brandy, a golden retriever, and Yukon, a 19-monthold Newfoundland, are not deployed to track escapees, disarm burglars, or sniff out contraband. Instead, Officer Joe Schneider, the dogs’ owner along with his wife, is accompanied on his daily rounds by the canines. They serve two purposes, Schneider tells The Nugget. First, they are classic comfort or therapy dogs who are available for residents and guests at the Ranch in need of a little companionship or a furry listener. For anybody shut in, maybe immobilized or recovering from medical treatment, or not having nearby family, Brandy or Yukon can make all the difference in the world, brightening spirits. Second, they are goodwill ambassadors of the Ranch in the wider Sisters Country community. “The department and
PHOTO BY JESSICA RICH
Yukon is a young Newfoundland who is learning his job. management is very supportive and encouraging of us to mingle in the community,” Schneider said. Schneider, with one or the other, but not both at once, makes regular visits to The Lodge in Sisters, schools, and public events where the dogs’ presence is at once calming and reassuring to all with whom they come in contact. On the day we caught up with Schneider, he was at the
Sisters Elementary School crosswalk at Locust. The safely crossed students were greeted by Brandy, and the lovefest ensued. Kids hugged the dog, asked questions, and chatted up the officer. “This also helps the kids learn to trust the police and see them in other than an enforcement environment,” Schneider explained. See K-9s on page 29
Letters/Weather ............... 2 Stars over Sisters ............. 9 Entertainment ................. 11 Fun & Games ................... 24 Classifieds..................27-28 Meetings .......................... 3 Announcements...............10 Obituaries .......................12 Crossword ...................... 26 Real Estate ................ 29-32