The Nugget Newspaper // Vol. XLIX No. 24 // 2026-06-17

The Nugget

Sisters Rodeo delivers thrills in sold-out run

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

It started out big and went big for five straight days. Last Wednesday night, the opening of the 86th Sisters Rodeo was all bull as in Xtreme Bulls Tour, a standalone bull riding series organized by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), featuring the sport stripped of all other rodeo events.

Top-ranked PRCA riders are matched against elite bucking bulls from the country’s premier stock contractors. What makes the tour significant is that prize money counts toward official PRCA World Standings, making strong performances critical for cowboys chasing a berth at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Events are built for intensity and backto-back rides.

The very first of 40 riders lasted the mandatory eight seconds to earn a score. The night produced 12 other

Black Butte Ranch settles sex abuse lawsuit

Black Butte Ranch (BBR) homeowners were instrumental in coming to a $5.5 million civil settlement to resolve a lawsuit brought by 14 former employees of BBR who alleged years of sexual abuse, battery, and harassment by Michael Woosley, a longtime Robert’s Pub server and supervisor who had worked at the Ranch for nearly four decades.

The conduct was alleged to have gone back to 2021; the most serious allegations led to a BBR Police investigation and criminal prosecution of Woosley. In those instances, young workers reported in July of 2022 that they had been groped by Woosley. The lawsuit alleges that Robert’s Pub manager Georgio Glinsky told one of the plaintiffs not to go to the police.

According to the suit, four employees did go to

the Black Butte Police Department, which launched an immediate investigation. Woosley was arrested, and quietly took a plea deal in June 2023, in which he pleaded no contest to two counts of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree and one count of harassment involving three young Robert’s Pub workers. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and placed on probation. He was fired from the Ranch.

According to a press release from the plaintiffs’ attorneys, Woosley is also facing charges of sexual abuse in the first degree, with a trial scheduled for next month.

The lawsuit, originally filed in June 2024 in Deschutes County Circuit Court, sought $13.5 million in damages and grew to

See ABUSE on page 13

Should city councilors be paid?

By Susan Cobb Correspondent

Should Sisters provide elected officials compensation?

That’s the question explored by the third Sisters Civic Leadership Academy. City Councilors were surprised to learn that the SCLA cohort found most locals interviewed did not know that the City Council is not compensated – that they are elected volunteers.

Over a six-week period, with administrative support of Citizens for Community (C4C) Director Kellen Klein and Assistant City Manager Kerry Prosser, the SCLA cohort of 12 gathered information, researched, assessed, and generated a report. To watch the

See ACADEMY on page 16

Class of 2026 leaves its mark

By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent

The commencement ceremony for the Sisters High School class of 2026 on Friday, June 12, included all the traditions of past years — welcomes, thank yous, special music, a tear-jerking slideshow, and of course, the speeches, most of which are well done yet often forgotten.

But this year the two student speakers made things memorable and impactful as they both used the same quote, one in English and one in Spanish: “Lo único más poderoso que el odio, es el amor — The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”

This prompted one listener to remark after the ceremony, “When a quote is used as the key point of a speech and then the next speaker underlines it by repeating it, we should all pay attention.”

The speakers, Senior Class President Emma Long and Valedictorian Olivia

Nieto, shared similar themes building up to the final common quote. Long, who will attend the University of Oregon Clark Honors College next year, said in the first half of her speech, “One quote that has stayed with me is, ‘Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.’ Malcolm

Forbes said that, and I personally believe in it deeply. I am grateful that Sisters High School believes in it too.” She continued on, saying, “I keep thinking about something. People are not born hating each other. Hate is something people learn. It is taught through fear,

See GRADUATION on page 19

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.

Thanks for the correction

To the Editor:

In May The Nugget printed a four-part series I had prepared, at the behest of the Three Sisters Historical Society, on the topic of the historic Old Sisters High School building. In a letter to the editor published June 3, Ms. Lora Nordquist offered a correction to something I had written in the final segment. I had reported on the 1992 move of middle school aged students from the old site to their current building, and indicated that the relocation was continuous.

Ms. Nordquist noted that subsequent to the move I described, middle schoolers in fact reoccupied the old site for some period in the mid to late ’90s before again returning to their present location. This information did not surface in any of my sources, and is therefore new to me. I thank Ms. Nordquist for providing the

additional facts. I will see that our archives reflect the new material.

Mark Mew s s s

Highway 242

To the Editor:

I was disappointed to read in the June 3, 2026, of The Nugget that it has been policy for a decade to keep Highway 242 closed to cyclists while the road is closed to motor vehicles.

Highway 242 over McKenzie Pass is an iconic Oregon route, comparable to the Aufderheide Bikeway and the Crater Lake Rim in terms of scenic beauty and its draw for tourists. I am interested in learning what steps

See LETTERS on page 18

Sisters Weather Forecast

The Nugget Newspaper, LLC

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Postmaster: Send address changes to The Nugget Newspaper, PO Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759. 3rd Class Postage Paid at Sisters, OR. The Nugget is available to pick up free at The Nugget office and at businesses throughout Sisters and Tumalo; mail subscriptions are available in the 97759, 97756, 97730, and 97703 zip codes for $55/year; subscriptions outside these zip codes: $70/year, $45/six months (or less).

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Young ’uns…

Cowboys, quilts and guitars

By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

Sisters will always be defined by the spectacular peaks that rise on our horizon — Faith, Hope and Charity. They give our town their name, and they are the iconic image that has drawn and inspired generations of visitors. The extraordinary natural beauty of this place is what led most of us who call this place home to put down roots here.

But our extraordinary cultural richness runs a close second to that iconic vista in drawing visitors and inspiring aspiring locals.

It’s easy to take all of our events and activities for granted — it’s just how we roll. But then you go out into town in the midst of the Sisters Rodeo Parade on a Saturday morning, and you’re reminded that this isn’t an ordinary thing. Thousands of people line Cascade Avenue for that parade because it speaks to something deep within them. Many of those folks head out to the Rodeo later — but for a lot of them, the parade itself is the big event. It feels like community; it feels hometown — even if this isn’t your home town.

It’s something to contemplate that the Sisters Rodeo is 86 years old. Not many institutions last that long — and to think that it’s been done on volunteer gumption and community spirit is … well… it’s amazing, really. The Rodeo is a big deal for Sisters, and it’s a big deal in the rodeo world — but it also still feels like something homegrown. That’s not an easy feat to pull off — and it’s more and more valuable as the world becomes more and more frenetic and synthetic.

In a few weeks, the cowboys and cowgirls kicking up their heels will be replaced by thousands of quilters making a pilgrimage to Sisters to celebrate a whole other American tradition. The passion they have for the fabric arts is palpable — and contagious. It’s impossible to talk with the remarkable artists and volunteers that create the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show and not share their enthusiasm. This, too, feels like home to a whole lot of people, and I’ve talked with dozens who moved here because of the Quilt Show. People who came for the show and found their community, their people.

That’s a beautiful thing. I’ve seen much the same thing in the Sisters Folk Festival, which I had a hand in launching back in 1995. Countless musicians and audience members make SFF an annual gathering — because it feels like home, like a gathering of the tribe. Music festivals can be big, commercial, and impersonal — but Sisters Folk Festival and its young child Big Ponderoo feel intimate, authentic and hometown… because that’s what they are. I was talking with a friend and fellow songwriter the other day, and he recounted conversations he had with touring musicians who served as instructors at the annual SFF song camp. They spoke of the impact of a few days in a beautiful setting up at Blue Lake, reconnecting with what made them pursue music as a calling in the first place.

Living on the road is a grind, even when you love what you do, and Sisters is a nourishing oasis, for everyone from cowboys and cowgirls to folkie musicians. Now, I know that there are some folks in Sisters who would prefer not to have to deal with the big events — the traffic, the late night whoopin’ and hollerin’, all that. I get it. I really do. I’m an introvert myself, in an extroverted business, and I get all people’d out pretty quick myself. I have to gin myself up to get in the right mindset to deal with crowds, even ones I help to bring out. But the rewards are great — and not least of them is the joyous spectacle of people just having a damn good time. I can sometimes hear the music from Hardtails from my house as loud and clear as if it was a block party in my neighborhood. And I just smile. I’m long retired from the game, myself, but there ain’t nothing wrong with rockin’ and rollin’ and drinkin’ up the night and closin’ down the bars.

We’ve been showing people a real good time here in Sisters for many decades now. It’s not just the big stuff either. A tremendous amount of cultural richness has grown out of this town — art strolls, bookstore talks, an ongoing live music scene, game nights… all kinds of fun.

It’s a privilege and honor to add joy to the world — and Sisters does a bang-up job of it. Give yourselves a hand. Long may we roll.

Whooping it up in downtown Sisters

By

They came by the thousands. On skateboards. By bike. Pushed in a stroller. Pulled in a wagon. On the back of a horse. A few by plane flying into Eagle Airport. In the Batmobile. On stagecoaches. Most on foot. Hundreds with their dogs. And everyone with a broad smile on their face.

The Sisters Rodeo Parade is a big deal. You don’t just shut down a U.S. highway any old time you feel like it. By 9:30 a.m. Saturday start time, Cascade Avenue was lined for blocks on both sides two and three deep, kids hoisted on shoulders. The south side filled first being mostly in the shade.

The sun was in full force with dreamlike temperatures in the slightest of breezes.

“I know it’s not the Fourth,” said Vern Belamy, “but this sure feels like it. There’s just something about rodeo and this parade that says celebrate America.”

And celebrate they did as one by one the entrants paraded down the avenue. It was a who’s who of Sisters institutions — our veterans, students, civic organizations, first responders along with rodeo royalty and businesses.

It wasn’t just the four, maybe five, thousand who watched that set the scene.

It was the more than 1,000 who paraded, many making music or dancing or

handing out candy or dog treats. Hundreds were on horses — the live ones and the mechanical ones and the inflatable ones. If you needed proof that Sisters was still a Western town, this was it.

“This is the most important day of the year for me,” said Lily Caldwell, 86. “My kids, my grandkids, my little brothers… they all come to town. One from Omaha and another from Ohio.”

“You folks sure know how to throw a parade,” said Piper Hanson from Grants Pass watching with her extended family.

As usual, the annual affair was led by veterans groups parading the flag.

Decoding tree ribbons in Sisters forest

By

Anyone who spends time hiking, biking, horseback riding, or exploring the forests around Sisters has likely noticed brightly colored paint marks on trees or ribbons tied to branches. Readers often ask: What do these markings mean?

The answer is more structured than many people realize.

Within the U.S. National Forest System, paint used for timber-related activities follows a nationally recognized marking scheme outlined in Forest Service guidance.

Tree-marking paint also contains a special tracer element

that helps deter and investigate timber theft. Flagging tape, however, is generally managed at the forest or district level and may vary from project to project.

Paint and flagging serve as an important communication system for foresters, surveyors, wildlife biologists, fire managers, and other land-management professionals. These markings help crews identify boundaries, designate trees for specific treatments, and communicate management objectives over long periods of time.

For timber projects, the National Forest System uses a standardized paint-color

Summer music series kicks off in Sisters

Haystack Jack Band will kick off the summer music event season at Eurosports in Sisters on Friday, June 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. This is a free outdoor show where you can grab a drink, order a meal, and listen to great local music.

Eurosports has eight taps of craft beer, cider, and kombucha; wine by the glass or bottle, and over 100 alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to choose from. Food is available from two on-site food trucks: Jamaican Jerk and Coco Loco Taco Bar.

SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR

BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS

Al -Anon

Mon., noon, Shepherd of t he Hills Lutheran Church. 5 41-610 -7383.

Alcoholics Anonymous

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 the Hills Lutheran Church. 5 41-5 48 -0 440. Saturday, 8 a.m., Episc opal Church of the Transf iguration • Sunday, 7 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration

Central Oregon F ly Tyers Guild

For Saturday meeting dates and loc ation, 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@cotamtb.com for info.

Ci tizens4Communit y C ommunity Builders meeting, 3rd Wednesday of ever y mont h, 10 to 11:30 a.m. V isit citizens 4c ommunity.c om for loc ation.

Council on Aging of Cen tral O regon

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. Go Fish Fishing G roup 3rd Monday, 7 p.m., Siste rs C ommunity Church. 5 41-771-2 211.

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. Siste rs Recreation Communit y Center. 5 41-588 -0547.

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., m eeting 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 Woodworkers First Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m. 5 41-231-18 97

Sisters Bridge C lub Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. at Sisters C ommunity Church. Email sistersb ridge2021@gmail.com.

Sisters Caregi ver Suppor t G roup 2nd & 4t h Weds., 1-2:30 p.m. Siste rs Rec. Communit y Center. 5 41-588 -0547. (Meets with Living W ell With Dementia Sisters)

Sisters Cribbage C lub Wednesdays, 11 a.m. at T he Lodge, 411 E. Car penter L ane. 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 Kiwanis 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 11:3 0 a.m. to 1 p.m., at SPR D in Sisters 541- 632- 3663

Sisters Parent Teacher Communit y 2nd Tuesday, 6 p.m. at Sisters Element ar y School Commons. 9 17-219 -8298

Sisters Rotary 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, Noon to 1 p.m., at SPR D. 5 41-760 -5 64 5.

Sisters Veterans no- host lunch, Thursdays, noon, Takoda’s Rest aurant. All veterans welcome, 5 41-241-6 56 3.

Sisters Trail s Alliance Board M eetings take p lac e every other month, 5 p.m. In -person or zoom. Contact: info@ sisterstrails.org.

Songwriters Sharing Circl e All ages welcome. 2nd Wednesday 6 p.m., at The Hub, 5 41-977-8 49 4.

Three Sister s Irrigation Distric t Board of D irectors M eets 2nd Tuesday, 10 a.m., TSID Off ic e. 5 41-9 03 -405 0.

Three Sister s Lions Club

3rd Thursday, 6:3 0 p.m., Spoons Rest aurant. 5 41-419 -1279.

VF W Post 813 8 and A merican Legion Post 86 1st Wednesday of the month, 6:30 p.m., The Hub, 291 E. M ain Ave. sistersveterans@gmail. com.

SCHOOLS

Black But te School Boa rd of Directors 2nd Tuesday, 3:3 0 p.m. 5 41-595 -6203. See schedule www.blackbutte.k12.or.us/

Sisters School District Board of Directors O ne Wednesday m onthly, Sisters School District Administr ation Building. See schedule at www.ssd 6.org. 541- 549-8 521 x5 002.

Haystack Jack Band features four musicians from Sisters — Steve Vujnovich (electric and acoustic guitars), Sue Moore (bass), Rick Moore (electric guitar, mandolin), and Scott Crabtree (drums, harmonica, trumpet). They each sing as well and contribute their own unique ingredients to a rich musical stew of original songs and folk-rock covers.

The band has a truly eclectic sound, with killer harmonies and mesmerizing

CITY & PARKS

Sisters Ci ty Council 2nd & 4t h Wednesday, 6:3 0 p.m., Siste rs Cit y Hall 541- 549- 6022

Sisters Park & Recreation District Board of Direc tors 2nd Tues., 4 p.m., Sisters Communit y Recreation C enter. 541- 549-20 91 Sisters

FIRE & POLICE

How the rodeo made Sisters

By Wendy Bachmeier Columnist

In recent years, the Sisters Rodeo has become just one of many great events hosted by our little town. A new person in town might think it’s not that significant. But there was a time when the Rodeo saved our town and put Sisters on the map. At least, that’s how I heard it from Martha Hunking. Martha is 97 years old now. But, she was part of changing Sisters into what it is today, and this is her story.

Martha and her twin brother Bryce were born on January 14, 1929, in Napa, California, to a large family. Her folks had come out from Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl to pick fruit “so we wouldn’t starve to death,” she says. There, her dad worked for the oil wells and her mom took care of the kids. When Martha grew up, she met and married Mert Hunking, a construction worker, and they moved to Salem, Oregon.

In 1956, Mert and Martha moved to Sisters with their three kids, Ronalie, Terrie, and Mert Jr. to get out of the rain. At that time, there wasn’t much to the town. A single paved road wound into Sisters and the railroad went over Santiam Pass hauling logs. Martha tells about the kids riding horses all over town and ice skating on the pond by the old school. For fun, she and a friend would sit in Stacy Tilmore’s cafe and count the cars going by. The only jobs to speak of at the time were with the Forest Service or Barclay Logging, which were seasonal at best. Martha remembers how tough things were at that time. “People couldn’t wait for winter so they could get their unemployment checks just so they could buy beans to eat!”

When things are tough, most of us complain or leave town. But, then there’s folks who look around and see

what they can do to make things better. Mert and Martha were those kinds of folks, and the rodeo was what they decided to do.

Since 1910, there had been informal rodeo events hosted all over town. In 1924, the rodeo proceeds helped start the local Fire Department after fires had destroyed much of downtown Sisters. Then, the first Rodeo Association began in 1944 and rodeo grounds were built near what is now Hoyt’s Lumber, with grandstands seating 2,500. The program held a full weekend of events, similar to what the Sisters Rodeo offers today. Each year, girls sold raffle tickets for a steer to see who would be the rodeo queen. High stakes prizes drew in cowboys from all over, and the Sisters Rodeo was dubbed, “The biggest little show in the world.” In 1956, the VFW took over the rodeo and purchased the Sisters Cascade Theater to help the town.

In 1961, Pat Fisk took it on. However, in the following years, the rodeo fell into disarray. That’s when Mert and his friends decided to reorganize the Sisters Rodeo. In 1964, he and Homer Shaw, Fred Ferrian, and Clifford Ray started the current Sisters Rodeo Association. Mert rebuilt the rodeo pens and fences. Then, they brought in livestock and rented horses from Chemult, Chiloquin, and Madras. But it was the bucking stock that really got attention.

In order to furnish quality stock for the rodeo, Mert started the Sombrero Rodeo Company. In fact, the Sombrero brand can still be seen burned into the wooden workbench in the home on Tamarack Street where Martha lived for 30 years. Mert traveled as far as Oklahoma to bring the best stock to Sisters, and he built a good reputation. This focus on quality and

professionalism is what gave Sisters Rodeo a good name and spread the word about Sisters. From then on, inspired by the rodeo, Sisters became a tourist town, and its Western theme was sanctioned by the city council in 1978.

Rodeo enthusiasm and national attention grew when Mert bought Red Rock the bull in 1978 from the Burnt River Ranch in Burns. Martha reminisced that Red Rock was kind, and she wasn’t afraid to feed him every day. “He wouldn’t hurt anybody,” she remembered, and it was said that children could sit on his back. But, nobody could ride him! Cowboys would come from far and near to try too! The fame of Red Rock spread and so did Sisters. Mert would have kept him if he could. But, in the end, Mert contracted terminal cancer in 1984 and chose to sell Red Rock to the Growney Brothers in Red Bluff, California. Red Rock went on to be chosen the 1987 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Bucking Bull of the Year. He was only ridden once by PRCA World Champion Bull Rider Lane Frost during the Challenge of the Champions in 1988. In 1990, they were both inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. Their bronze statue still stands at Clovis Rodeo Grounds in California. (Why not here?)

As for Mert and Martha? Mert helped build the new bucking bullpens where the rodeo grounds are now. In addition to serving the rodeo, Mert was the Sisters mayor and Martha served on the school board and city council. At one time, “We practically ran Sisters! Probably because no one else wanted the job,” she chuckles. During their years of public service, the Hunkings worked to take the curves out of the road through Sisters to help the trucks get through town.

Ironically, we’ve put them all back in again with “the biggest little roundabout in the world.” Still, their hard work and determination to make Sisters a better place has survived. And, thanks in part to the rodeo and tourism, Sisters is a thriving little Western community.

Some might think it’s time to modernize and let go of our town’s commitment to Western storefronts and theme. But my observation has been that modernization only lasts a generation before it’s outdated and needing

remodernizing. Upholding our town’s history, recommitting to our town’s Western theme, and honoring the Rodeo for its part in our town’s success will last the test of time and help Sisters continue to be a rare jewel in the State of Oregon.

You can read more of the Sisters Rodeo history in The Nugget Newspaper articles “Who was Red Rock?” by Bill Bartlett, September 3, 2025, and “Whispers from the past — Rodeo has a rich history” by Sue Stafford, June 8, 2022).

Sisters business pioneer passes the torch

By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

Pat Molesworth has been a fixture of the Sisters business community for decades. As the owner of Village Interiors, she not only built a thriving interior design business, she also served as a leader in the community, seeking to enhance and professionalize the local business climate.

Now, after three decades, Molesworth is retiring, and handing the reins of the keystone business to Jennifer Boss-Lehman.

Molesworth recalled the road that led her to business ownership.

“I went to school for interior design and retail marketing — but I took a long time to get around to it,” she said.

She worked in a variety of fields and jobs, then her personal life intersected with a business opportunity.

“It started because Gary (Molesworth) and I were building a house out in Sage Meadow,” she said.

She needed to do her own interior design work — and that led to taking up Village Interiors. The business predated her ownership. Maggie

Bull owned it for nine years, and a second owner was ready to move on when Pat was ready to step in.

Since then, the business has been a passion for her.

“It’s not a labor of work,” she said. “It’s a labor of love.”

She worked hard to foster a strong business community in Sisters, and she hopes that some of the early “we’re all in this together” spirit can be restored. Development, she says, “changed the dynamic of the town.”

When she was developing Village Interiors, she said, “we knew everybody.” The spirit of camaraderie, she feels, may have diminished with growth and she sees value in “finding the ability to make that family again. We used to be a family. I don’t know where that went astray.”

Molesworth is happy with the woman who will take on what she built into a legacy. For her part, Jennifer BossLehman is eager to take up the reins. She and her husband hail from Tigard, and are “excited to get out of the city.”

And, she says, “we’re coming over here to be part of the community.”

Boss-Lehman worked for

years for a window covering franchise, and has operated her own design firm. She shares Molesworth’s commitment to creating the right home environment for her clients.

“To serve the client,” she said. “That’s the philosophy. My job is to figure you out, to make it about you and your home — make it a reflection of you.”

She notes that she is very detail oriented and has experience and expertise in project management.

“That’s the back end of design that people don’t always think about,” she said.

Comfortable that the business she built is in good hands, Molesworth said she is ready to retire and focus on her horse, her garden, and her greenhouse. And she may do some fishing.

“I love fly fishing — and I haven’t had a lot of opportunity,” she said.

Village Interiors is located at 111 W. Barclay Dr., #1a, Sisters; 541-549-6406.

Hands-on education for Sisters High School student

By Bjorn Johnson Columnist

This last trimester of my sophomore year I completed an internship at Van Handel Automotive. I experienced a valuable opportunity that has significantly advanced my career aspirations in the automotive industry. During my time there, I was introduced to multiple technicians that I could relate to and people that were willing to teach me. I was immersed in the practical, hands-on work and maintenance in the shop.

Chad Van Handel, the owner of the shop, worked closely alongside me, guiding me to success by challenging me with tasks that I was willing to take on and learn from. Chad has single-handedly expanded my knowledge greatly in the automotive industry. The opportunity to work in his shop alongside certified technicians has made me thankful, and was the most impactful educational outlet I’ve had in high school.

My responsibilities consisted of a range of tasks, such as performing essential routine maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations, to assisting with complex engine and transmissions replacements. Another significantly impactful skill I learned was working with diagnostic tools, finding the source of a problem and determining the solution. This direct exposure to real-world situations and automotive challenges was directly relevant to my career goals, providing a crucial bridge between theoretical knowledge and professional practice.

I chose to explore the automotive industry because of a personal interest in mechanical systems, and a

natural inclination for problem solving. Van Handel Automotive stood out due to its strong reputation for quality service and a commitment to creating talent through training that I experienced while working with the owner. I trust Chad to educate me in the automotive field because of his certifications and he was even awarded the National Technet Professional ASE Master Automobile Technician of the year in 2023.

To make the most of my time there and of the experience, I made sure to try my best and always have a proactive attitude to help lead myself to success. I constantly sought opportunities to learn by readily volunteering to observe or take on tasks that would broaden my knowledge. One of the most significant lessons that I learned was the importance of being patient, and the criticalness of precision, particularly

the accurate application of torque specifications.

Making connections with the team at Van Handel was another vital aspect of the internship. I made an effort to engage with everyone, understanding their roles and how they contribute to the shop. Van Handel Automotive has provided me with a great example of teamwork and collaboration in a professional manner.

I also gained hands-on experience with new tools and equipment, such as an alignment machine, which requires extreme attention to detail. I performed multiple drive tests to identify problems and also to guarantee the problems were fixed. These practical applications were made informative because of the collaboration environment with the technicians.

Thank you, Van Handel Automotive, for this opportunity to expand my knowledge and appreciation for the automotive industry.

Sisters Habitat celebrates Woodlands completion

For those who keep the gears of Sisters turning — the teachers, medical staff, firefighters, and service workers — the dream of homeownership has often felt just out of reach. In a market where prices have soared, the fundamental desire to live in the town you serve has become increasingly challenging.

However, a quiet transformation is taking place in our community, one key at a time. On May 29, Sisters Habitat for Humanity marked a major milestone, celebrating both the completion of its Woodlands development and the dedication of its newest homes. The vibrant, 10-cottage project allows local families and individuals to finally put down permanent roots.

Since breaking ground in 2023, the Woodlands project has drawn immense community support. Over its course, more than 100 people — including staff members, local business partners, volunteers, and generous donors — lent their time, expertise, and resources to bring these homes to life.

The impact of this collective effort is profound. By providing homes at approximately half of their market value, Sisters Habitat has successfully removed the barrier that has long kept our local

workforce confined to the rental market. These homes are keys to stability, allowing neighbors to live just minutes from their places of work and steps away from their loved ones.

While four homes were transferred to their new owners early in the project’s timeline, four more were dedicated during the May 29 dedication celebration, where the new homeowners were warmly welcomed home by the organization and the community members in attendance. The final two homes will be completed and occupied in the coming months.

The new homeowners shared emotional stories with a common thread: they all once believed that living in the beautiful town where they grew up or worked was completely out of reach. They spoke of what a home truly means — stability, peace of mind, and the opportunity to keep growing. As the largest provider of affordable homeownership in Sisters, the organization’s work serves as a reminder that housing security is a community-wide responsibility.

With the final touches being placed on the Woodlands, Sisters Habitat is already pivoting toward its most ambitious goal to date:

HOUSING APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Applications are available starting Monday, June 15, 2026 for TWO Habitat homes located in Sisters.

Download the application at www.sistershabitat.org/ apply-for-housing or pick up a paper copy at the Sisters Habitat Administrative O ce.

Visit www.sistershabitat.org for complete details

APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN JULY 10, AT 3 PM

Larch Commons. Poised to be the largest affordable homeownership development in Sisters, Larch Commons will feature 25 homes. The project will introduce a dedicated “workforce housing” tier with six units total. This initiative is designed to bridge the “missing middle” — those essential

workers who earn too much to qualify for traditional affordable housing programs but find themselves unable to compete in the skyrocketing open market.

“We are building more than just houses,” said Peter Hoover, executive director.

“We are building the infrastructure of a sustainable

community, ensuring that Sisters remains a place where everyone who contributes to our vibrant life here can afford to stay.”

The first round of homeownership applications for Larch Commons is expected to open in the coming months. To join the notification list, visit www.sistershabitat.org.

SOLICITUDES DE VIVIENDA DISPONIBLES

Las solicitudes estarán disponibles desde el 15 de junio de 2026 para DOS viviendas de Habitat ubicadas en Sisters.

Descargue la solicitud en www.sistershabitat.org/ apply-for-housing o recoja una copia impresa en la O cina Administrativa de Sisters Habitat.

Para más información visite, www.sistershabitat.org

LAS SOLICITUDES DEBEN SER RECIVIDAS A MÁS TARDAR EL 10 DE JULIO A LAS 3 PM

Council takes care of nuts-and-bolts

By Susan Cobb Correspondent

The Sisters City Council was well prepared and ready to move through 11 items of City business at their meeting last week. Five were approved within the consent agenda, four required public hearings, and two needed discussion and consideration. All were unanimously approved by Council.

Besides the minutes, the consent agenda included:

• A two-year extension of the City’s contract with the non-profit Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO). This includes quarterly payments of $22,441.50 from the City to EDCO. The agreement ends June 30, 2028.

• Employee Handbook updates to provide health insurance coverage and vacation accrual during the first 90-days of employment, to reflect current City Hall business hours, note that employees are paid time and a half for hours worked during holidays, and limitations on past year unused vacation cash-outs.

• Updates to the City’s Title VI Plan as relates to Cascades East Transit (CET) bus service for which the City receives funding from the Federal Transit Administration in the form of a grant administered by the Oregon Department of Transportation. The City is aligning its Title VI Plan

verbiage with that of the CET regarding prohibitions on discrimination.

• Resolution 2026-07 updates the City’s workers’ compensation coverage of $2,500.00 to any volunteer(s) to the City under specific preconditions listed in the resolution.

• Resolution 2026-08 declares the municipal services provided by the City qualify the City to receive a share of cigarette, gas, and liquor taxes.

The Council’s four public hearings covered:

• Adoption of ordinance 548 which amends the Sisters Development Code strictly to correct errors, improve clarity, and increase consistency in formatting. The amendments are not substantive and do not change policy.

• Resolution 2026-06 adopts the City’s transportation System Development Charges (SDCs). This adoption is the next to last step in a six-month project starting in February and ending in July when the new transportation SDCs are implemented.

• Resolution 2026-09 Declares the City elects to receive the state revenues mentioned above in R2026-08.

• Resolution 2026-10 adopts the City’s budget (as previously approved by the City budget committee for FY2026-27), approves a tax levy ($2.6417 per $1000.00 of assessed value – same as

previous FY), and directs staff to file the budget with the Deschutes County Clerk. The City’s total budget for FY26-27 is $43,858,235.00 which is up $8,619,592.00 from the previous FY. Nearly 50 percent of the City budget is in reserves.

Council approved Resolution 2026-11 which updates the City’s master fee schedule to reflect the rate increases for Republic Services (RS). After sixmonths of deliberation the City was able to reduce RS’s double digit rate increase percentages to 8.4 percent increase for residential and commercial customers, and 8.2 percent increase for industrial customers.

Council awarded a public improvement contract in the amount of $265,935.00 to DJ Miller Construction to develop the Elm Street multi-use path to connect to the Peterson Ridge Trail.

Public Works received many bids with a wide range in expense; DJ Miller Construction not only had the lowest bid, it was one of the more accurate submissions. The contract allows for a variance of no more than five percent and will be managed by the city manager.

The project will begin in July and completes in early May 2027.

Sisters actor performs in Indigenous play

Sisters actor Nathan Woodworth is currently acting in a play titled “Antíkoni,” by Beth Piatote (Nez Perce), at The Vault Theater in Hillsboro.

Adapted from Sophocles’ “Antigone” and set in the not-too-distant future, the story centers on a young Nez Perce woman, Antíkoni, who plans a heist to take back her ancestor’s bones from the Smithsonian where her uncle is the museum director. A chorus of aunties weave in wise and hilarious Nez Perce Creation Stories, making this a truly unique, entertaining, and poignant play.

Woodworth plays Haemon, betrothed to Antíkoni and protege to her uncle Kreon at the Smithsonian — who finds himself caught in the middle of an epic conflict between his mentor and his love.

“I also serve as the voice and text coach for the production as well as fight captain (under stage combat choreographer Kristen Mun-Van Noy),” Woodworth said.

The play is directed by Jeanette Harrison (Onondaga) and co-produced by Native Performing Arts Networks and Bag&Baggage Productions and features an Indigenous ensemble of actors.

“We had our opening on June 6 and run through June 21,” Woodworth said. Shows are selling out fast. Anyone from Sisters who would like to attend can book tickets at: https:// bagnbaggage.app.getcuebox. com/o/SJ0K0BCF/shows/ FKC7M3PG.

Filled with stories of spirited Central Oregonians, you’ll read about hard-working bees, plane fun, a world traveler, cottage bakeries, local birds, nature school, saving Oregon agriculture, an endurance rider and a rescued horse, farriers, the AdvenChair, and painting outside. b tr lo sa a R

Pick up your complimentary copy of Spirit of Central Oregon at The Nugget Newspaper office or on newsstands throughout Central Oregon.

Scan the QR code to read online.

To request a copy by mail, call 541-549-9941

Urban Renewal Agency approves two resolutions and a grant

By Susan Cobb Correspondent

In February, Urban Renewal Agency Board of Directors (URA-BD) approved the URA fiscal year 2026-27 project/ goals and in May URA Budget Committee approved the URA 2026-27 budget. During their June 10 meeting, the URA-BD approved Resolution 202603 which adopted the URA budget of $6,104,244, adopted Resolution 2026-04 Workforce Housing program, and approved a grant of $400,000 to Sisters Habitat for Humanity.

The URA-BD members are the City Council members conducting a separate role in a legally separate entity. The URA-BD was established in 2003 by a City appointed Urban Renewal Advisory board which also created the UR plan. The resulting URA is mostly funded from a percentage of property taxes.

R2026-03 also included the establishment of the tax increment authority as previously approved by the URA budget committee to secure the maximum allowed under the Oregon Constitution Section 1c, Article IX, and Oregon Revised Statute

457. In fiscal year 2026-27 the UR debt service and UR project funds will receive and process $585,000 in tax revenues in order to assure completion or progress on URA 2026-27 projects. The URA mission is to “promote the development of downtown as a commercial and cultural center.”

The URA 2026-27 projects include:

• Adams Avenue streetscape construction completion ($3.32 million)

• Downtown Art — after establishment and recommendations from the City Public Art Committee ($175,000)

• Workforce Housing Grant — to be approved (a $400,000 carryover from 2025-26 fiscal year into next)

• Way Find Signage ($150,000).

That leaves $96,000 for downtown Dark Sky compliance and Wildfire resilience programs and another $599,688 in reserves.

Resolution 2024-02 Workforce Housing grant program was replaced by Resolution 2026-04 (of same name) to revise conflicting numerical references and definitions between grant recipient entities and the grant program. R2026-04 allows the URA-BD more

Suit filed in rodeo bull incident

Two years ago, a bull in the range of 1,900 pounds eluded wranglers on the Sisters Rodeo arena floor and like a deer, running at full speed, jumped the fence in the red section at the arena’s southern end. The bull — named Party Bus — catapulted its bulk over the six-foot metal fence before exiting the red section entry way and into the food court.

The incident went viral on social media and was reported on internationally.

Two years later, two parties are suing the Sisters Rodeo Association, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, and stock contractor Corey and Lange Rodeo Co. for over $11.5 million in total over injuries and trauma they allege was caused by the incident.

Washington residents Kristin Wert and Andrew Wert are suing the Sisters Rodeo, Corey and Lange Rodeo Co., and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association for $2.3 million, claiming she

flexibility when negotiating a grant agreement to accommodate entities such as Sisters Habitat for Humanity.

The URA-BD approved a URA Workforce Housing grant agreement with SH4H granting $400,000 as previously budgeted toward the construction of workforce housing units on SH4H’s

Larch Commons property. SH4H designated workforce housing as affordable to buyers whose income is at or below 120 percent of the area median income (AMI) whereas City statutes define workforce housing as affordable to those at or below 150 percent of AMI. The grant agreement reflects SH4H AMI percentage.

suffered injuries to her legs, arms, and shoulders. The complaint also claims Wert suffered a concussion causing persistent migraines, dizziness, nausea, and emotional distress. Andrew Wert is claiming trauma and emotional distress from witnessing the event.

Allison Hickey of Bend is suing the Sisters Rodeo, Corey & Lange Rodeo, and Flying Diamond Rodeo for $9.25 million, claiming Party Bus landed on her, “crushed her right shoulder and right calf.” Her complaint argues that Sisters Rodeo “has since claimed that the publicity of the incident…was good for the Sisters Rodeo and has since monetized the incident…including the marketing, advertising, and sales of merchandise portraying the incident…” She argues that this has caused her “to sustain additional and ongoing trauma, embarrassment, and mental anguish.”

Party Bus has been retired to Washington and is not allowed to participate in rodeo competitions.

COMM UN IT Y AN NOUNCE ME NTS

PET OF TH E WE EK

Humane Society of Central Oregon 541-382-3537

Buddy i s a 6 -yea r- old hou nd mi x t hat l ike s to c hase anyt hing t hrow n for h im

He c a n be s elec tive about K-9 f riends , but love s to be arou nd people a l l t he t ime.

Hi s adopt ion fe e h a s been spon sored . Budd y w il l be a lovely add it ion to a n act ive f amil y t hat i s a lw ay s on t he go. Stop b y t he shelter to meet Bud dy!

— SPONSORED BY —

SIST ER S COMM UN IT Y FOOD RE SOURCE S

Free Lu nches for Seniors COACO o ers no-cost

socia l lunc h e ver y Tuesd ay, 11 a .m . to 1 p.m . at Sisters

Commun it y C hu rc h, 130 0 W. McK en zie Hwy No reser vation s neede d. No -cost Grab-N-Go

lu nc hes weekly on

Wednesday a nd u rsday, from 12:3 0 to 1 p.m . Cal l 541-79 7-93 67

21 Kitchen Ka leidoscope:

Tour Beauti fu l Homes and Change Lives Loca lly Satu rd ay, June 2 0, f rom 10 a .m to 3 p.m . Tou r si x stunning

home s i n E ag le Crest R esor t’s

We st R idge neig hborhood i n

Redmond, featuring e xqui site

kitc hen s a nd breat ht ak ing pa nor amic v ie ws . E njoy s ma ll

bites f rom loc a l restaurants includ ing Black Bu e R anch, L a Cat rina C hi ngona , Great

Ha rvest Baker y, e Den , and e Crow n Cur ry. Meet ta lented loc a l a rt isan s a nd shop t hei r lovely, h andc ra ed wa res a long t he w ay. Tic kets are $35 i n adv ance a nd $ 4 0 on the d ay of t he event . Hosted by As sist ance L eague® of Bend, al l proceed s bene t c hi ld ren and adu lt s i n need t hroughout

Desc hute s Cou nt y. For t ic kets and more i nfor mation, c al l 541-389-2075 or go to h ps:// givebu er.com/KK 2026

Jour ney th rough

Sisters Histor y

202 6 H istorica l Wal ki ng Tou rs of t he Camp Pol k H istorica l Cemetery a re ava il able month ly e nex t tou r i s Sat urday, Ju ne 2 0 . Guided w alk s sta r t at 10 :3 0 a .m . at 6 985 Cemeter y Rd., Sisters . e cemeter y i s not handicap accessible and w alk s i nc lude u ne ven grou nd . R eg ister at h ps:// ca mppolk pioneercemeter y.org/ tour s.

Solstice in Sisters

Enjoy a rela xed Sum mer

Solstice gat hering a nd short wa l k celebrating t he longe st , lightest d ay of t he yea r.

Optional: bring bel ls , d ru ms , ower s , m ay be a s pecia l stone to place at t he l abyr inth ’ s center. Gat her Sunday, June 21, at 7 p.m. , w al k at 7:3 0 p.m . at Si sters Com mu nit y L abyr inth i n Gateway Park , Hw y 2 42 a nd W. Hood Ave. Free. Det ail s at sisterscom mu nity laby ri nt h.org.

Notice of Elec tion for Sisters City Counci l

Ar tist Ta lk and Fi lm

Screen ing: September

Orange

Mond ay, June 29, 6 to 7 p.m at t he P ine Meadow R anch Center for A rt s & A gr ic ultu re, joi n A rt ist-in-R esidence, Ju li a Old ha m, a s she sha res her recent resea rc h w hich blends scienti c i nquir y w it h elements of science c tion w hi le creating n ar ratives t hat revea l ecolog ic a l t ra nsform at ion and env iron ment a l rhy th ms Regi st ration i s requi red at h ps://roundhou sefoundation org/events/. For more info c al l 5 41-9 04 -0 70 0 or ema i l i nquiries@ roundhou sefoundation .org.

Craf t & Connec t

Tuesday, June 3 0, 3 to 5 p.m at t he P ine Meadow R anch

Center for A rt s & A gr ic ultu re, br ing a ny sma l l projec t a nd material s you need to work alongside c om mu nit y members and enjoy c onversat ion w it h fellow a rt ists. R eg istrat ion i s requi red at h ps:// roundhou sefoundation .org / events/. For more i nfo c al l 5 4190 4- 070 0 or ema i l i nquiries@ roundhou sefoundation .org

Honey Bees & Brews

Mont hly soc ia l gat heri ng at L az y Z R anc h e very 4t h u rsday at 5 p.m . A ll beekeepers a nd w an na-bees welcome. F or more i nfo: C lyde, 458-20 6- 8470

Volu nteers Needed to Help

Horses

Ca lling a l l hor se lover s! H appy

Trail s Hor se R escue i n Tum alo need s volunteers! Ca n you help u s help hor ses? New Volunteer Or ient at ion i s t he r st a nd t hi rd

Su nd ay s of t he mont h at 10 a .m or c al l to s chedule! L ea r n more at h ps://www.h appy trai lshr org.

Livi ng Well With Dement ia Open House

Wednesday, June 2 4, 1 to 3

p. m . at t he Sisters Com mu nity Recreation C enter, 611 E Cascad e Ave., S isters . Meet wit h t he L iv ing Wel l tea m to lear n more about soc ia l res pite prog ra ms

“Timeless Treasu res”

Museum Benefit Sa le Satu rd ay, July 18 , at t he Sisters

Fi re H all . i s sale bene t s ree Sisters H istorica l Societ y a nd featu res a c urated sele ct ion of “gent ly u sed” item s . Don at ion s neede d. Ca l l D ia ne at 5 41-610 -632 3 for i nfor mation or to m ake ar ra ngements for don at ion pic k up. V ie w f acebook page for photos of item s for s ale.

St ud io Tours

Wednesday, July 1, 5 to 6 :3 0 p. m . at t he P ine Meadow R anch Center for A rt s & A gr ic ultu re, enjoy a tou r of t he studios, where resident a rt ist s a re ex peri ment ing , conducting rese arch, a nd developing new work during t hei r t ime at t he Ra nc h . i s e vent i s f ree a nd open to t he public . R eg istrat ion i s requi red at h ps:// roundhou sefoundation .org / events/. For more i nfo c al l 5 4190 4- 070 0 or ema i l i nquiries@ roundhou sefoundation .org

Th ree Sisters Histor ical Societ y Wa lk ing Tours Free g uided Wal ki ng Tou rs: Heritage Homes or H istoric Bu ildi ngs Dow ntow n . E xplore the c ha r m a nd some of t he r ic h stor ies of Sisters’ past . E ac h tou r i s about one m ile long a nd ta kes one hou r. For dates , t imes , and reser vation s , go to www th reesistershi stor ic al societ y.org under t he “ Wa lk ing Tou rs” t ab 541- 610- 6323

Widows’ Suppor t Group

Widow s of a l l age s a re i nv ited to joi n t hi s s upport ive group of loc a l women to sh are e xper ienc es , stories , and f riendship i n a safe envi ronment . S ha re a pot luck of sal ad s , con nec t w it h others who t ruly u nderst and , a nd nd hope toget her. Month ly gather ing s a re t he r st Friday of e ver y mont h f rom 11:3 0 a .m to 1 p.m . i n t he Fireside R oom at Sisters Com mu nit y C hu rc h, 13 0 0 McK en zie Hwy, Sisters For quest ions , contac t Cindy Vice (513-22 6-1222) or Melody Ca rl son (541- 815-35

mi ly Stor y Ti me Wednesday, June 17, 10:30 to 11 a .m . Com mu nity Room . I nter ac tive s tory time w it h books , son gs , a nd rhymes! 0 -5 y rs Stor y Ti me Cr af t Wednesday, June 17, 11 to 11:4 0 a .m . Com mu nity Room . Color, c ut , g lue, pa int , a nd more! Qu iet Wr it ing Ti me u rsday, June 18 , 10:30 a.m . to 12 p.m . Meeti ng Room E njoy t he foc u s of a qu iet s pace w it h t he bene t of other s’ c ompa ny Cont ac t becc ar@dpl s. lib.or.u s. BI NGO for Book s u rsday, June 18 , 3 to 4 p. m . Com mu nit y R oom. Celebrate Sum mer w it h t he Librar y w it h BING O a nd free books! 541-549-2275 • 541-549-8836

Notice i s hereby g iven t hat a Genera l E lect ion w il l be held on November 3 , 2 026 , for t hree position s on t he Sisters Cit y Counci l . e r st d ay to le for a Cit y Cou nc i l pos it ion w as

Week ly Food Pa nt ry

COR E M arket , loc ated at 22 2 N. Trinit y Way i n

Si sters . Mondays , 1 to 2 p. m . I nfo: 5 41-588 -2 332.

Free Week ly Meal

Serv ice

Famil y K itchen hos t s a week ly to-go hot mea l on Tuesdays , 4:3 0 to 5:3 0 p.m., at Sisters Com mu nity

Church, 130 0 W. McK en zie

Hw y. I nfo: www

Fami lyKitc hen.org.

Free Pet Food

Need pet food for you r dog or c at? Cal l t he Fur ry

Fr iend s pet food b an k at 541-79 7- 40 2 3 to s chedule

you r pic kup. L oc ated at 412 E . M ai n Ave., Ste. 4, beh ind e Nug get.

Kiwa nis Food Ba nk

Located at 382 W. M ai n Ave . Weekly d istr ibut ion i s u rsday s f rom 9 a .m . to 2 p.m . I nfo: 5 41-632 -3 663.

Wednesday, June 3 , 2 026 . To be el ig ible one must be a q ua li ed elec tor i n O regon, a c ur rent regi stered voter i n t he Cit y of Si sters , a nd must h ave been a resident of t he Cit y for 12 mont h s preceding t he elect ion. Cit y Cou nc i l pos it ion s a re nonpa rt isan . E lect ion m ater ia l s c an be fou nd on t he Cit y website at: www.c i. sisters.or.u s . e term s of C ou nc ilor M ic hael

Preedin, Cou nc ilor Gar y R oss, and Cou nc ilor C hery l Pel leri n wi l l end on December 31, 2 026. Al l t hree a re e ligible to apply for reelect ion . Candidates a re encouraged to obt ai n elect ion materi al s by A ug ust 4, 2 026.

Al l l ing requi rement s for incu mbents must be c ompleted by 5:0 0 p.m . on A ug ust 18, 2026, a nd new c andidates by 5: 0 0 p.m . on A ug ust 2 5 , 2 026. For quest ion s about t he process , em ai l Mon ic a Bur meister at mbur meister@ci.sisters .or.us , or stop by Cit y H al l at 52 0 E Cascad e Avenue.

Livi ng Well With Dement ia Sisters Suppor t Groups Suppor t g roups meet t he 2nd and 4 t h Wed ne sd ay of t he mont h f rom 1 to 2:3 0 p.m . at Si sters Com mu nit y R ec reat ion Center. e E arly Stage Support

Group meet s i n t he W hychus Room . e Care Partner G roup meet s i n t he Metol iu s R oom. For i nfor mation c al l 5 41-58805 47

Save the Rubberba nd s Bu si ne s s owners: I f you receive a bundle of Nug get s eac h week, those fat rubber ba nd s are high ly va lued by e Nug gete ers t hat bu nd le you r paper s eac h week. I f you w il l save t hem, we’ d love to u se t hem aga in . Bring t hem by t he Nug get o ce, or c al l for a rubber ba nd pic k-up. a nk s!

SISTERS-AREA Events & Enter tainment

WEDNESDAY • JUNE 17

Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Tom Nechville & Linda Leavitt "Handpicked Series," 6 to 8 p.m. $10. Info: frankiesinsisters.com. 250 W. Cascade Ave.

Paulina Springs Books Analog Night — crafting, puzzles, games, coloring journaling or whatever analog activity you enjoy. All ages welcome! Hosted by Krista West 5:30 to 7 p.m. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.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 • JUNE 18

Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Evan Mullins & Mark Ransom 6 to 8 p.m. in the courtyard Tickets $15 at frankiesinsisters.com.

Lazy Z Ranch Wines Music Bingo! BINGO 6 to 8 p.m. Match song clips to your bingo card and win fun prizes! More info: www.lazyzranch.com/events. Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture "Botanicals, Blue Prints & Zines" In this hands-on workshop students will create a zine of plants from the Sisters region using cyanotypes. Participants use sunlight to expose botanical compositions onto light-sensitive paper then rinse and dry the prints in the sun to reveal deep Prussian blue images 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. $90 Registration and more info: roundhousefoundation.org/events.

Paulina Springs Books An Evening of Poetr y: Amelia Díaz Ettinger and Matthew Friday present their new books "Between" and "Wunderkammer," 6:30 p.m. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Trivia Night 13th annual family-friendly trivia. Free 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Sign up at 5:30 Info: call 541-549-2471

FRIDAY • JUNE 19

Lazy Z Ranch Wines USA vs Australia Men’s Soccer 12 to 2 p.m. Match on with sound. No cover. More info: www.lazyzranch.com/events.

Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft 5 p.m. $20 paulinaspringsbooks.com.

Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Tony Lompa

6 to 8 p.m. No cover! Upstairs at 250 W. Cascade Ave.

Lazy Z Ranch Wines Live Music: Sidney Joseph 6 to 8 p.m. Smokey-voiced multi-instrumentalist. No cover. More info: www.lazyzranch.com/events.

Hardtails Outlaw Countr y Dive Bar & Grill

Karaoke 9 p.m. Information call 541-549-6114.

Spoons Family Game Night Bring the whole crew! We’ve got all the classics ready to play ... or bring your own game 5 to 8 p.m. No reservations needed. Info: 541-719-0572

Eurosports Food Cart Garden Music: Haystack Jack 5 to 7 p.m. Free Family- and dog-friendly Info: 541-549-2471

SATURDAY • JUNE 20

Paulina Springs Books Storytime with Dennis McGregor and "You Stole My Name: Foods" release party 10 to 11 a.m. Songs, live book reading and a craft. Event is free and open to all! Info: www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.

Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Brandon Campbell Trio 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets and more information: www.frankiesinsisters.com/our-events/.

Hardtails Outlaw Countr y Dive Bar & Grill

Karaoke 9 p.m. Information call 541-549-6114.

The Barn Live Music: Brent Alan & His Funky Friends on the outdoor stage. Tap Takeover Party starts at 4 p.m. Info: www thebarninsisters.com.

Lazy Z Ranch Wines Meet the Meadmaker: Facility Tour 4 to 5 p.m. Behind-the-scenes tour of the ranch winery barrel room, and farm, with ranch history and stories plus optional guided flight with a special barrel taste (if available). More info: www.lazyzranch.com/events.

Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture "Introduction to Natural Dyes: From Seed to Color" Explore the natural dyes blooming at Pine Meadow Ranch! In this one-day workshop, students learn about natural dye processes and engage in hands-on lessons about dye plant harvesting, building dye pots and coaxing color from plants. Using premordanted fibers, this workshop focuses on the basics of natural dyes and the ecstatic magic of plantbased color 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. $200 Registration and more info: roundhousefoundation.org/events.

Eurosports Food Cart Garden Spontaneous Car Show 5-7 p.m. Family- and dog-friendly Bring your cool car to display, or just come look — different every week. Free Info: 541-549-2471

SUNDAY • JUNE 21

Lazy Z Ranch Wines Father’s Day & Summer

Solstice Live Music: Pete Kar tsounes Noon to 9 p.m.; live music 2 to 4 p.m. Celebrate dad, father figures, and summer's arrival at the ranch. Pete Kartsounes' music pushes the boundaries of acoustic music by seamlessly blending ballads, blues, jazz, bluegrass, folk, and more. No cover. More info: www.lazyzranch.com/events.

Fir Street Park Sisters Farmers Market 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featuring live music, community booth, vendors, kids activities, and more. For info visit www.sistersfarmersmarket.com. Paulina Springs Books Sunday Scrabble 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Play Scrabble, socialize, and drink coffee. Info: www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.

MONDAY • JUNE 22

Spoons Open Mic Bring your talent (or come cheer) and enjoy a night of local music hosted by Jordan Lewis Lee. 6 to 8 p.m., sign-ups open at 5:30 p.m. Info: 541-719-0572

TUESDAY • JUNE 23

Hardtails Outlaw Countr y Dive Bar & Grill Trivia 6 to 8 p.m. Information call 541-549-6114. Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture "Adaptation: Resilience and Transformation" the second in the 2026 Lecture Series, brings together two perspectives on adaptation in the Pacific Northwest. Through storytelling, Zachary Stocks and Dr Lauren Gwin will share examples of adaptation in migration, agriculture and community. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Registration is required at https://roundhousefoundation.org/events/. For more info call 541-904-0700 or email inquiries@roundhousefoundation.org.

WEDNESDAY • JUNE 24

Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Tom Nechville & Linda Leavitt "Handpicked Series," 6 to 8 p.m. $10 Info: frankiesinsisters.com. Upstairs at 250 W. Cascade Ave. 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 • JUNE 25

Lazy Z Ranch Wines Bees & Brews (and Mead!) 5 to 6 p.m. Gather with local beekeepers to discuss all things bees! More info: www.lazyzranch.com/events. Lazy Z Ranch Wines USA vs Turkey Men’s Soccer 7 to 9 p.m. Match on with sound. No cover. More info: www.lazyzranch.com/events.

Paulina Springs Books Author reading: Mar y Grace Marquiss presents “Behind the Painting: An Artist's Memoir," 6:30 p.m. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Trivia Night 13th annual family-friendly trivia. Free 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Sign up at 5:30 Info: call 541-549-2471

FRIDAY • JUNE 26

Hardtails Live Music: Cover City 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. $10 cover. Info: hardtailsdivebarandgrill.com.

Downtown Sisters 4th Friday Artwalk 4 to 7 p.m. Galleries and shops feature art and demonstrations. Information: www.sistersarts.org.

Paulina Springs Books Book Fair/Meet & Greet

During 4th Friday Artwalk, OWLS (Outlaw Writers Literary Society) will be in-store featuring Valarie Anderson, Chuck Lesowske, and Linda Jones Weber 12 to 5 p.m. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Tony Lompa 6 to 8 p.m. No cover! Upstairs at 250 W. Cascade Ave. Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft 5 p.m. $20 paulinaspringsbooks.com.

Lazy Z Ranch Wines Live Music: Chris Beland 6 to 8 p.m. Accomplished singer/songwriter and storyteller who makes music for the dreamers of the world. No cover. More info: www.lazyzranch.com/events.

Eurosports Food Cart Garden Music: Lilli Worona and John Shipe 5 to 7 p.m. Free Family- and dog-friendly Info: 541-549-2471

Spoons Family Game Night Bring the whole crew! We’ve got all the classics ready to play ... or bring your own game 5 to 8 p.m. No reservations needed. Info: 541-719-0572

SATURDAY • JUNE 27

Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: M&Ms Trio and Friends 6 to 8 p.m. Featuring the sounds of Thelonious Monk, Pat Metheny, and John Scofield. Tickets and more information: www.frankiesinsisters.com/our-events/. Hardtails Outlaw Countr y Dive Bar & Grill Karaoke 9 p.m. Information call 541-549-6114. Eurosports Food Cart Garden Spontaneous Car Show 5-7 p.m. Family- and dog-friendly Bring your cool car to display, or just come look — different every week. Free Info: 541-549-2471

SUNDAY • JUNE 28

Paulina Springs Books Sunday Scrabble 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Play Scrabble, socialize, and drink coffee. Info: www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.

listings are $40. Submit items by 5 p.m. Fridays to jess@nuggetnews.com.

SUNDAY • JUNE 28

Fir Street Park Sisters Farmers Market 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featuring live music community booth, vendors, kids activities, and more. For info visit www.sistersfarmersmarket.com.

Frankie's in Sisters Cooking Class: "The Art of Risotto" with Chef Thomas Pierucci 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets: frankiesinsisters.com.

MONDAY • JUNE 29

Spoons Open Mic Bring your talent (or come cheer) and enjoy a night of local music hosted by Jordan Lewis Lee. 6 to 8 p.m., sign-ups open at 5:30 p.m. Info: 541-719-0572

TUESDAY • JUNE 30

Hardtails Outlaw Countr y Dive Bar & Grill Pool Tournament 5:30 p.m. Info: 541-549-6114.

WEDNESDAY • JULY 1

Paulina Springs Books Author reading: Jennie Bricker presents “Thirsty Creek," based on a real-world environmental disaster in the Wallowa Mountains. 6:30 p.m. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Tom Nechville & Linda Leavitt "Handpicked Series," 6 to 8 p.m. $10 Info: frankiesinsisters.com. Upstairs at 250 W. Cascade Ave. 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 • JULY 2

Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Trivia Night 13th annual family-friendly trivia. Free 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Sign up at 5:30 Info: call 541-549-2471

FRIDAY • JULY 3

Hardtails Outlaw Countr y Dive Bar & Grill Karaoke 9 p.m. Information call 541-549-6114. Spoons Family Game Night Bring the whole crew! We’ve got all the classics ready to play ... or bring your own game 5 to 8 p.m. No reservations needed. Info: 541-719-0572

Eurosports Food Cart Garden Music: Bob Baker and Mark Barringer 5 to 7 p.m. Free Family- and dog-friendly Info: 541-549-2471

Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Doc Cosden, Roger Ludwig, Steve Vujnovich 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets and more information: www.frankiesinsisters.com/our-events/. Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft 5 p.m. $20 paulinaspringsbooks.com.

SATURDAY • JULY 4

Village Green Park Sisters 4th Fest Third annual community festival presented by Rotary Club of Sisters and Citizens4Community. Pancake breakfast, fun run, veterans salute, mini-parade live music line dancing lawn games, and more. 7:30 a.m. to noon. Free Info: www.sisters4thfest.com. Lazy Z Ranch Wines 4th of July with Live Music: Bill Powers Noon to 9 p.m.; live music 2 to 4 p.m. Enjoy the holiday afternoon/evening at the ranch. No cover. More info: www.lazyzranch.com/events.

Hardtails Outlaw Countr y Dive Bar & Grill Karaoke 9 p.m. Information call 541-549-6114.

Eurosports Food Cart Garden Spontaneous Car Show 5-7 p.m. Family- and dog-friendly Bring your cool car to display, or just come look — different every week. Free Info: 541-549-2471

SUNDAY • JULY 5

Fir Street Park Sisters Farmers Market 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featuring live music community booth, vendors, kids activities, and more. For info visit www.sistersfarmersmarket.com.

Paulina Springs Books Sunday Scrabble 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Play Scrabble socialize, and drink coffee. Info: www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.

MONDAY • JULY 6

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.

Spoons Open Mic Bring your talent (or come cheer) and enjoy a night of local music hosted by Jordan Lewis Lee. 6 to 8 p.m., sign-ups open at 5:30 p.m. Info: 541-719-0572

TUESDAY • JULY 7

Hardtails Outlaw Countr y Dive Bar & Grill

Trivia 6 to 8 p.m. Information call 541-549-6114.

WEDNESDAY • JULY 8

Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Tom Nechville & Linda Leavitt "Handpicked Series," 6 to 8 p.m. $10 Info: frankiesinsisters.com. Upstairs at 250 W. Cascade Ave. Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em 5:30 p.m. to close upstairs. 21+. $20 (add'l $5 when bounty chip is played).

system:

• Blue, yellow, and green are used for cut tree markings.

• Orange, pink, and white are used for leave tree markings.

• Black is used to cancel or correct previous markings.

• Red is used to mark property lines.

The specific color selected for a project depends on local needs and visibility, but the national designation remains consistent.

One common misconception is that blue paint indicates a tree will be retained. In fact, blue is typically used as a cut tree marking color. Trees designated for retention generally receive one of the leave tree marking colors, most commonly orange. In special cases, such as a wildlife tree being protected within a harvest unit, foresters may add additional symbols or letters to indicate its status.

The pattern of paint can be as important as the color itself. A painted tree often receives a corresponding “stump mark” near the base of the trunk. After harvest, the stump mark allows foresters to verify that only authorized trees were removed. Boundary markings are frequently painted as vertical stripes on successive trees, allowing personnel to stand at one marked tree and visually locate the next along the boundary line.

Every timber harvest unit is governed by a marking guide developed from the stand prescription and approved by a certified silviculturist. These guides ensure consistency and accountability throughout the project.

Flagging tape, the brightly colored plastic ribbon often seen tied to branches or stakes, serves a different purpose. Unlike paint, there is no nationwide color standard for flagging. Forests and ranger districts typically establish color conventions for individual projects, and those conventions can vary from one location to another.

Because flagging standards are locally determined, visitors should avoid assuming that a particular color always carries the same meaning. On one project a color may identify a survey line, while on another it may mark a treatment boundary, access route, or resource feature. Forest managers generally try to standardize colors within a project and use flagging only when necessary to reduce waste.

In the Deschutes National Forest, visitors are most likely to encounter markings associated with forest-thinning projects, fuels reduction work, prescribed burning units, wildlife habitat protection, recreation trail improvements, and land surveys. These activities are part of broader efforts to reduce wildfire risk and improve the health and resilience of Central Oregon’s forests.

For anyone trying to interpret a specific marking, forest officials recommend paying attention to four factors:

the color, whether the marking is paint or flagging, the pattern or shape of the mark, and the surrounding context. When questions remain, the local ranger district can often identify the project and explain the purpose of the markings.

“The Deschutes National Forest adjacent to Sisters is managed for multiple uses, and marking paint and flagging are ways to communicate those uses and protection areas to those people conducting the forest management work,” said Sisters District Ranger Ian Reid.

The forest is always communicating. Understanding its markings is one way to better understand the work being done to care for the land.

Editor’s note: The Nugget

thanks Christopher Bogan, U.S. Forest Service District Silviculturist and Vegetation Team Lead at the Sisters District who provided technical expertise for this story.

SISTERS

Living

Eat more flowers!

By Dani Nichols Correspondent

When most people think of lavender, they think of foot soaks and lotions, sachets and essential oils. I get it (I have a pre-teen daughter and two smelly sons). However, my favorite way to use our amazing Central Oregon lavender is in food. But you have to use culinary lavender, not the same stuff you put in a bath bomb.

I asked Tamar Melen, the events coordinator for Tumalo Lavender, how we can tell which lavender is best for culinary use, when picking from a home garden or farm. She answered that “varietals of English lavender (lavandula angustifolia) are often preferred for culinary use because of its lower camphor content which results in a sweeter, more delicate flavor better suited for our palates than other varietals.”

Visit any of our wonderful Central Oregon lavender farms for more tips, tricks and recipes. If you want to grow your own, be sure to always purchase lavender plants from local growers, as they thrive in our climate and give you wonderful flowers to use for years to come.

Lavender Sugar

This is one of my favorite ingredients to simply keep in my pantry. It’s easy to make, smells amazing, and takes any dessert or drink from sweet to spectacular. My favorite

use is as a sugar rim for a glass of champagne (particularly at brunch, ooh la la) or mixed into sun tea for a little floral kick.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon dried culinary lavender

DIRECTIONS: Put ingredients into a clean, dry coffee grinder and pulse for about one minute. The result should be superfine melt-inyour-mouth sugar crystals with a floral aroma and taste. You can add more lavender if you want a stronger flavor, but make sure to pulse again to keep the consistency as universal as possible across the whole batch.

Store in an airtight container, in a dry, cool place such as your spice cabinet, or wherever you’ll remember to use it often. (Read on for a recipe using this ingredient!)

Lavender Eton Mess

I’m a good cook but not a great baker, but Eton Mess has the benefit of being the rare dessert which looks impressive without being very difficult. All it takes to pull off is a bit of technique and patience, and, in this case, lavender sugar as the secret ingredient. It’s also an easy gluten-free option for summer get-togethers, and it’s divine with fresh local berries. Best eaten with gusto.

INGREDIENTS:

5 large egg whites

1/2 cup of lavender sugar (if you’re afraid of too much lavender flavor, (heresy!) you can use regular superfine sugar and put the lavender sugar in the whipping cream and on the berries instead)

1 cup or so of fresh, clean berries, sprinkled with sugar, left to get juicy

1 cup of heavy whipping cream

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla

A couple tablespoon of sugar (add to taste to whipped cream)

A sprinkle of culinary lavender to impress your friends

DIRECTIONS: Put the egg whites into a stand mixer or mixing bowl with an electric mixer. Beat well until peaks begin to form, and add lavender sugar in two batches, beating the whites back into stiff peaks after every addition. Fresh eggs will be harder to beat into stiff peaks, so if you have chickens, keep a few eggs back for a week or two before you make this recipe. (I didn’t include it in the ingredients list because it’s not strictly necessary: but if you want to add a pinch of cream of tartar to your egg whites, it will make them hold their whip a bit better.)

Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F., and prepare a large baking sheet with parchment

paper. Dollop meringues (about the size of your fist) onto the paper, making sure there’s a little room between each one to let hot air move around them. If you have a convection setting on your oven, that will help but it’s not necessary. Bake for 90 minutes, then turn off and let cool in the closed oven (no peeking!). Once the oven is cool, pull the baking sheet out. If the meringues are hard to the touch and slide off the parchment paper without any resistance, they are done. If there is a slight pull on the bottom, it’s OK, they will still be delicious, just a little less crispy.

Beat your heavy cream in a stand mixer or mixing bowl, with the sugar and vanilla until you get the desired consistency for whipped cream. Serve a meringue on the bottom of your dish, broken into a few pieces, with berries, whipped cream and crumbled meringue on top. A few lavender flowers sprinkled on top is a worthy addition. Pair with champagne (duh) or a cup of coffee for a delightful treat.

See The Nugget next week for more lavender recipes.

Over decades of work, BANR Enterprises has built a stellar reputation across the Pacific Northwest for quality construction and excavation work in both the public and the private sector.

Now Scott Davis is bringing the know-how and skills that built that reputation home, focusing all of his work in Central Oregon and especially Sisters Country.

Davis has seen Central Oregon change and grow — and has seen how private infrastructure often struggles to keep up with the rapid pace of change. BANR can help local road and water districts maintain and improve that infrastructure, bringing decades of project experience to bear in consulting and accumulated skill and proper equipment to bear in doing work that can create considerable savings in repair and maintenance in the long term.

BANR’s work with the water distribution system at Metolius Meadows in Camp Sherman is an example of their capabilities — and of the kind of hometown work BANR is focusing on going forward.

Metolius Meadows Property Owners Association had plans for a new 113,000-gallon water tank. Additional water was needed for fire protection and typical community growth. BANR Enterprises was the general contractor and partnered with Baker Silo to complete the build. The work effort included site preparation, new waterline installation, excavation for a new 113,000-gallon water reservoir, design and build of the new concrete tank, from grade to finish, and restoration of water service. BANR got the four-month project delivered on time.

BANR Enterprises is, as Davis sees it, a “traditional, familyoriented contracting company.” BANR’s old-school values of hard work, reliability, quality, and a fair price allow for exceptional versatility and adaptability. BANR does a wide array of work: residential, commercial, and heavy

Bringing top-tier construction home

civil construction are all in their wheelhouse.

BANR specializes in on-time, responsive demolition, excavation, grading, and site preparation for projects of all sizes. They are a full-service contractor, providing all types of utilities, concrete, and hardscape work. They also offer paving, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical services to complete any job. They are also a resource for landscaping materials and rock.

Customers range from homeowners to large companies.

There is no project too small or large for BANR to take on.

They can pave a massive parking lot — or pour a neighbor’s sidewalk.

“Residential is a big part of our work,” Davis said.

On-site project managers work closely with construction teams to assure cost-efficient, high-quality solutions to the unique circumstances of each job.

BANR has years of concrete expertise, specializing in walkways and driveways.

“There’s plenty of tasks we can do, improvement wise,” Davis said. “If you want to rock your

★★★★★ “Serving as ourown general contractor, mywife and I have built or remodeled 14 homes. Never have we worked with a better excavation companythanBANREnterprises.Scottandhiscrewarehighlyskilledstraightshooterswithacan-doattitude.Theirpricingiscompetitiveandfair.Recently weaskedthemtobringandplace253-foot+bouldersintoexistinglandscaping on a hill. They scouted the site for logistical purposes and to match the coloring ofthe existing boulders.Theyarrived with 35% more material than hadbeenorderedwithoutanyadditionalcharge.Eachboulderwasplacedin anartisticmannerincludingfittingabout10togethertoformawallatthefront oftheproperty.All ofthiswasaccomplishedwithoutdamagetothe existing shrubs and irrigation. After completing the job, theythoroughly cleaned all areas where the equipment was used. BANR Enterprises is an outstanding company.”

— David Lutes

★★★★★ “BANR completed a small but complex retainingwall forus duringthewinter.Neitherrainnorsleetnorsnowkeptthemfromtheirappointed task.Everymemberofthecrewthatcameoutwasoutstanding.Andtheywere diligentworkers.Wouldrecommendthemtoanyone.”

driveway, that’s a product we can get our hands on.”

Davis is proud to be a native Oregonian. He literally grew up in the trade that would form the basis for his career.

“I grew up in the loggingroad-building business,” he said. “That’s my background.”

That logging-road-building business was a family business, and the values it instilled in him were carried forward when he decided to set out on his own in the early 1990s. That’s when he got heavily into the demanding world of civil contracting.

—TomCombs

Customer service is at the top of Davis’ list of core values, no matter whether the client is an agency, a big corporation, or a local homeowner. In fact, he believes that customer service is the basis for integrity and success in any endeavor. Responsiveness is important to every client. It boils down to one key premise: “You have got to follow through,” he said.

With that commitment firmly in mind, Davis is part of every job his company undertakes.

“I will be the guy who comes out and talks to my customers,” he said.

With all of the growth in Central Oregon, and the demands on infrastructure to keep up, Davis says that there is plenty of work to be done.

Somewhat unusually for a contractor, Davis does not hesitate to work with others — as long as their work meets his standards. He thinks of those kinds of businesses as trusted partners.

“I’m happy to share,” he said.

Thirty years of experience on virtually every conceivable kind of job has made BANR a go-to contractor that lives up to the informal company motto: “When the going gets tough, even the tough call us.”

How to plan for aging in place

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

There’s a moment many people recognize but few talk about – the point when a parent struggles with stairs, a neighbor stops driving, or a spouse needs more help than expected. By then, options narrow quickly. The smartest approach to aging in place is to plan long before any of those moments arrive.

Aging in place means remaining safely and comfortably in your own home as you grow older. For millions of Americans, it’s the preferred path. But preference alone won’t make it work. The people who do it successfully tend to think ahead across four broad areas: their home, their health, their finances, and their relationships.

“Lack of access to affordable, healthy food and cost of living increases have significantly impacted the quality of life for many Central Oregon seniors living on fixed and limited incomes,” says the Council on Aging of Central Oregon.

According to the National Institute on Aging and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention these are key steps to be taken to increase your ability to age in place:

Start with the home

Falls are among the leading causes of injury for older adults, and many happen in familiar, seemingly safe spaces. A loose rug, a poorly lit hallway, or a slippery shower floor can change everything overnight. The good news is that most hazards are fixable before they cause harm.

Walk through your home with fresh eyes. Remove clutter and any rugs that slide or curl at the edges. Add grab bars in bathrooms, improve lighting throughout, and make sure handrails are solid on every staircase. If remodeling is in your future, think about widening doorways, installing a walk-in shower, or planning for single-floor living.

Lever-style door handles and faucets are small changes that make a significant

difference for anyone with arthritis or reduced grip strength. The goal is a home that works for you in 10 or 20 years, not just today.

Protect your physical health

Independence is closely tied to physical condition. Regular exercise, particularly balance and strength training, does more to preserve mobility than almost anything else. This doesn’t require a gym membership or elaborate equipment. Consistent, moderate activity matters most.

Beyond exercise, stay current with medical checkups and vaccinations, and manage any chronic conditions actively rather than reactively. Don’t neglect vision and hearing either. Both decline gradually and affect balance, safety, and quality of life in ways that often go unrecognized until the impact is already significant.

Build your support network now

Even the most self-sufficient person will eventually need some form of help. The time to build that network is before you need it, not during a crisis.

Maintain close relationships with family, friends, and neighbors, people who know your routines and would notice if something were off. Identify in advance who could step in during an emergency. Explore what senior services exist in your community, from meal programs to transportation assistance to volunteer networks.

Transportation deserves particular attention. Losing the ability to drive is one of the most disorienting transitions older adults face, and having alternatives already in mind makes it far less isolating. Having transportation to critical medical appointments is important — and can be readily arranged through Sisters Transportation and Ride Share (STARS).

Social connection itself is a health issue. Isolation is associated with cognitive decline, depression, and worse physical outcomes across the board. Staying involved through clubs, faith communities, volunteer work, or regular contact with people you care about isn’t just pleasant. It’s protective.

Get your finances and legal affairs in order

Council on Aging of Central Oregon has a free, helpful 132-page guide that can be viewed online or downloaded by scanning the QR code or visiting their website, www.councilonaging.org.

Long-term independence is expensive. A realistic retirement budget, adequate insurance coverage, and funds set aside for home modifications and potential care needs are all essential. Long-term care costs catch many families off guard; understanding them in advance is far better than confronting them unprepared.

Equally important are legal documents: a current will, durable powers of attorney for both finances and health care, and completed advance directives. Organizing these now spares your family an enormous burden later and ensures your wishes are clearly documented.

The central lesson of aging in place is straightforward: waiting for a problem to force your hand leaves you with fewer choices. Planning early, across all these areas, leaves you with more.

Alpine Land Management

• Our mission is to reverse the mismanagement of timbered land in Sisters Country. In doing this, we have discovered on our own, proven effective applications.

• The results are a healthy forest that is resistant to catastrophic fire potential, and is ecologically diverse so that it promotes deer and elk mid and winter range habitat. We do not waste any trees that we remove. All goes into firewood, and specimen logs for milling. Slash is either burned, chipped, or hauled to recycling.

• Our latest discovery is Aspen Grove restoration. Aspens in Sisters Country can thrive in drainage draws, along riparian zones, and bottom lands. They do best with a soil medium of decaying logs such as Ponderosa pumpkin. Once restored back to health, these existing Aspen Groves retain a lot of moisture. Aspen groves not only resist fire, they are an alternative to hot burning fuels. We discovered and have become successful at ridding aspen trees of oyster shell scales. We don’t use pesticides.

• We run all our tractors and trucks on 100 percent renewable diesel.

• The end goal is to promote resilient timbered forests in Sisters Country for decades to come. Something established for our future generations to come to enjoy and carry on.

Transforming your home — inside and out

There may be no more simple and cost-effective way to transform your home’s interior and exterior than through installing new blinds, shades, shutters, and drapery. Budget Blinds of Central Oregon has a crack design team that can help you find the right product for your application — and hit your budget.

Budget Blinds of Central Oregon is family-owned and operated by Mike and Stacy Hughes. The company started out here 20 years ago with just the couple doing all the work — Stacy handling sales and Mike doing installation.

“It just seemed like every year

we grew and grew — and now we have 18 employees, and still growing,” Mike says.

That growth and success comes down to some fundamental principles: offering a wide range of products that meet customer needs and budgets, and a strong focus on customer satisfaction. For Mike and Stacy Hughes, customer service is paramount — and that is reflected in stellar customer reviews.

“We carry all the major manufacturers,” Stacy notes. “We have a blind for every budget. We really tailor to what the customer really needs, be it style, function, or budget.”

Honeycomb shades are particularly popular now, offering insulation for all seasons — keeping things warm in the winter but keeping the heat out when the summer sun beats on the windows. Rollers are also popular.

“They’re a modern, durable shade,” Stacy notes. “Lots of fabrics.”

At this time of year, customers are especially interested in awnings and solar shades that enhance the Central Oregon outdoor lifestyle.

You can now get blinds and screens repaired through the affiliated Blind Side Repairs. The repair

service is another way that Budget Blinds serves their customers.

“Pretty much every day, people would walk into our showroom with blinds they wanted not replaced but repaired,” Stacy says.

With an adjacent space opening up, and an installer eager to take on the work, “it all fell into place quite nicely,” Stacy says.

With an array of options, customers can ask Budget Blinds to come to them with samples, or they can visit the showroom. With expert advice, making the right decision is assured.

“The average consumer does want help and guidance and a professional to measure and install,” Stacy says.

With 20 years of history rooted in the Central Oregon community, and a reputation second to none, customers know that Budget Blinds will get the right product for their application at the right price — and be assured that the product and the work is backed up.

As Stacy notes, “With us, you’re guaranteed — because we’re not going anywhere.”

Volunteering for STARS is

life-changing

“STARS is life changing. Drive for us and change a passenger’s life, and your own.”

That may sound like a lofty statement, but according to both our passengers and volunteers, it is true.

We have often shared how important STARS is to our community. A ride to a non-emergency medical appointment can help someone maintain their independence when they are no longer able to drive themselves. It can reduce stress, provide reassurance, and help ensure access to needed healthcare.

What we talk about less often is the impact volunteering has on the volunteer.

Answering our rideshare line or giving a ride to a community member in need is an opportunity to make a real difference. STARS volunteers provide transportation, but many describe receiving an unexpected gift in return: a sense of purpose, meaningful connections, and the satisfaction of making a difference in someone’s life. For both passengers and volunteers, the time spent on the telephone or in the car is often much

more than a ride. It becomes a meaningful human connection.

Many of our volunteers tell us they initially signed up to help others but quickly discovered how much they gained themselves.

We live in a time when loneliness and isolation affect many people. Our screens keep us busy, but they do not always bring us together. Volunteering has the opposite effect. It creates conversation, friendship, compassion, and community. It reminds us that small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact on everyone involved.

STARS is neighbors helping neighbors stay healthy and independent, one ride at a time.

As demand for our free transportation service continues to grow, so does our need for volunteer drivers and for dispatchers to schedule rides. The good news is that volunteers choose a schedule that works for them. Whether you can drive or dispatch once a week, once a month, every ride matters.

If you are looking for a meaningful way to give back and connect with your community, visit www.starsride.org/why-volunteer.

Quality window coverings from local pros

BestVue Blinds offers commercial-grade window coverings for a wide variety of applications in new construction and retrofit projects.

The company works closely with designers, architects, and contractors to determine window covering products that prevent air and light penetration, maintain temperature, add functionality, and enhance privacy. It’s also a local, family-run company that is deeply invested in the Sisters and Central Oregon community.

BestVue Blinds has an exclusive relationship with Hunter Douglas/ Alta, giving them an excellent price point on premium quality blinds.

“We’ve had a really good experience with that company,” says Mike Hernandez, head of residential sales and service for BestVue.

But quality product is not the key thing that sets BestVue’s work apart.

“I think it really comes down to our attention to detail,” Hernandez says.

Hernandez brings extensive background in fabrication and project management to bear in the company, and he has deep

experience in commercial and residential installation.

That experience, along with a strong commitment to good communication, allows BestVue to “mitigate any issues before they become an issue,” as Hernandez puts it.

BestVue works closely with residential customers to ballpark a budget, plan the purpose of window coverings throughout your home, select the right style to meet the customer’s needs and complement interiors, offer manual and automated operation, and provide samples so you can experience the fabric and textures available.

“It’s good to know how they want to operate their blinds,” Hernandez notes.

For example, if you have new construction and want your blinds to be hard-wired for their operation, it’s good to know that early.

“If they don’t know what they want, coming into the showroom is the best way for me to help them determine what works best for them,” Hernandez says. “We want to be sure that the customer is happy at the end of the day.”

Black Butte Ranch to participate in home tour fundraiser

Assistance League of Bend is presenting Kitchen Kaleidoscope, its signature home tour fundraiser, now in its 21st year, taking place on Saturday, June 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year’s event will showcase a curated selection of homes in the Eagle Crest – West Ridge community in Redmond, highlighting beautifully designed kitchens that serve as the heart of each home.

Kitchen Kaleidoscope offers attendees the opportunity to step inside some

ABUSE:

Case involved numerous young employees

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$19.5 million as four additional victims came forward, bringing the total number of plaintiffs to 14.

The complaint alleged that Woosley, known around the resort as “Mr. Black Butte,” used his status and supervisory role to repeatedly grope, fondle, and make sexually explicit comments to subordinate employees during working hours. The lawsuit further alleged that management-level employees at Robert’s Pub and the Ranch’s human resources department were aware of Woosley’s conduct and failed to stop it.

Plaintiff’s attorneys noted that the “resolution of the case required an extraordinary step. Black Butte Ranch’s available insurance coverage was limited in amount and subject to a ‘wasting policy’ — meaning that defense costs eroded the available funds as litigation progressed — leaving insufficient insurance proceeds to fully compensate the

of Central Oregon’s most thoughtfully designed residences, featuring inspiring layouts, craftsmanship, and design details, and offering gorgeous views of the Cascade Range. The selfguided tour invites guests to explore at their own pace while enjoying one of the region’s most scenic settings. At each home, local chefs and restaurants, including Black Butte Ranch, The Crown Curry, The Den, Great Harvest Bakery, and La Catrina Chingona, will offer

plaintiffs. To make the victims whole, BBR homeowners were asked to voluntarily contribute to the settlement.

Approximately 90 percent of homeowners voted in favor of doing so, a remarkable show of community accountability that made resolution possible.”

Attorney Jason Kafoury said, “Our clients are grateful to finally have closure and to be moving forward with their lives. We also appreciate the Black Butte Ranch homeowners who stepped forward to help ensure these former employees were fairly compensated.”

In a prepared statement, BBR acknowledged the settlement and said that it “represents a meaningful step forward toward closure and healing for the former employees and for the Ranch.”

“Our first concern is and will always be the safety and well-being of the Black Butte Ranch community,” said CEO Kyle Cummings. “We remain focused on fostering and maintaining the special sense of community that has defined the Ranch for more than 55 years.”

small bites, adding a delicious culinary element to the experience, and complemented by local artisans showcasing and selling their wares.

“All proceeds from Kitchen Kaleidoscope directly support our local programs serving children and adults in need throughout Deschutes County,” said President of Assistance

League® of Bend Margaret Chappell. “This event brings the community together in a meaningful way—celebrating beautiful spaces while making a real difference close to home.”

Tickets are $35 in advance online or $40 at the event.

Raffle tickets will be available for purchase, and the winner will receive a

custom-designed bracelet created by Pavé Fine Jewelry valued at $3,500. Tickets are available now at AssistanceLeagueBend. org. All event proceeds benefit Assistance League of Bend’s philanthropic programs, which provide essential resources and services to children and adults across Deschutes County.

RODEO: Event thrilled big crowds last week in Sisters Continued from page 1

qualifiers and prize winners with 19-year-old rookie and college freshman Eyer Morrison taking the win aboard Corey & Lange’s Kiss the Fire Wednesday night.

The rookie put up an 87-point ride to seal the win and claim his $9,302 share of the $35,000 in added money. This win only adds to an incredible month for Morrison, who has won more than $10,000 in the past two weeks.

“It’s been more than I can ask for,” Morrison told the Cowboy Channel. “I’ve been drawing well, and the Lord has been blessing me. It’s been awesome.”

Thursday night was the first of five sold-out, fullslate, sanctioned PRCA performances Thursday through Sunday: bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie down roping, bull riding, barrel racing, and breakaway roping, the latter two women’s events.

Weather over the entire run was picture perfect under warm but not sizzling sun with slight breezes. Crowds displaying their finest western duds were wildly enthusiastic and appreciative of the scale of the event billed as the Biggest Little Show In The World.

Professional rodeo carries the feel of something genuinely at stake. It’s dusty and loud, equal parts tradition and adrenaline. The crowd knows what it’s watching. These aren’t just performers hitting marks, they’re competitors chasing a paycheck and a world title, often one

good ride or one bad wreck away from either.

Kadin Jodei thrilled Saturday’s crowd with an arena record in breakaway roping with a blazing-fast time of 2.2 seconds.

There’s a reverence underneath the spectacle: for the animals, the craft, and the cowboy culture that built it. Patriotism runs deep, faith is openly worn, and the danger is real. It feels like America in a way that’s harder to find most other places. But not in Sisters.

The Rodeo was a true community wide event. Beyond the rough and tumble on the floor there was the parade (see related story, page 3) that drew thousands to our fabled Western town. And on the rodeo grounds there were more than just gritty riders.

Take the Buckeroo

Pancake Breakfast Sunday morning. Since 1982 the Sisters Kiwanis Club has provided a pancake breakfast for Rodeo participants, attendees, and the Sisters community. Kiwanis volunteers serve hearty stacks of pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs, orange juice, milk, coffee, and all the fixin’s.

Sisters Kiwanis Club has come a long way from simply boiling a pot of cowboy coffee and using a single griddle. Today seven grills and numerous percolators serve about 800 hungry buckaroos who consume 160 pounds of pancake mix, 200 pounds of bacon, 100 pounds of sausage patties, and 140 dozen eggs.

That was followed by Cowboy Church — church in the dirt. Wellhouse Church once again hosted Cowboy Church in the main arena.

This wasn’t church in a building. This was church in the dirt. It was a simple, hope-filled morning of worship, encouragement, and prayer, surrounded by rodeo fans, locals, visitors, cowboys, families, and friends from all over the Northwest.

The strong community affection for Sisters Rodeo was demonstrated in several other ways. The family of Casey Johnson enabled a 55-foot flag pole with Old Glory swaying atop to be placed at the arena ticket entrance in his honor with the inscription: “Always An Eagle Scout.” Johnson died prematurely at age 43.

And from the stands Friday night bidding was as ferocious as the bulls as $36,000 was raised for the Rodeo’s scholarship and community outreach programs.

Sisters Rodeo Association President, Brian Greig, sat down with The Nugget Sunday. He was as optimistic and grateful as he was on opening night.

“Sure, we have amazing volunteers, hundreds of them and a leadership team that works their tail off, but this doesn’t happen without the Sisters community as a whole,” he said.

“There’s a spirit and an attitude that keeps us going, a just pride folks have in their rodeo. We’re continually amazed at the support we get. We just can’t say thanks enough.”

“I wouldn’t miss this rodeo for the world,” said Coral Etherton from Prineville. “Rodeo is supposed to be outdoors in small towns not big arenas in Las Vegas. This is the real deal,” she added glowingly. “This is beyond entertainment.”

“She’s right,” said Dixon Riddle of Powell Butte. “Sisters knows how to rodeo. It’s a whole lot more than just guys getting bucked off.”

There was plenty of bucking all week to be sure. And the bulls and horses gave as good – or better – than they got. Chase Brooks put up 89 points in Saddle Bronc riding just a point ahead of Lefty Holman’s 88.

Contestants were among the tops in the rodeo world. Names like Stetson Wright, first in world standings last year and in the lead for this year. Josh Frost, first in the 2024 world standings. And Ryder Wright, second in 2025 world standings.

It’s the money that draws them to Sisters with more than $400,000 paid out over the event, the highest payout for the week in professional rodeo.

Chaz Marin from Culver summed it up: “Sisters is rodeo and rodeo is Sisters.”

Behind them was a constant stream of entrants representing Sisters life and heritage. There were two stagecoaches this year as The Pendleton Roundup brought one of theirs recalling the early days of the Roundup’s stagecoach races.

Not everybody was in a cowboy hat or boots, although most were. Certainly, the dozens of rodeo queens and other royalty from around the state were, in their finest regalia, their horses immaculately groomed and adorned in floral splendor. Rodeo royalty, typically including queens and princesses, serve as official ambassadors for the sport of rodeo and western heritage. Chosen for their horsemanship, public speaking, and rodeo knowledge, these young women represent their communities at events, parades, and grand entries, embodying the spirit, tradition, and values of the American West.

Sisters 2026 Rodeo Queen, Naomi Bailey, led the all-time high court from multiple states.

Grand Marshall honors went to Mike Corey and Leslie Lange of Washington, the namesake owners of the long-standing stock contractors, the outfit that turns up the bulls and horses, every bit as important to a good rodeo as the riders.

Wayne Brooks, legendary rodeo announcer, stood on a perch overlooking Cascade and described the activity with his usual folksy charm and genuine admiration for what Sisters pulls off the second Saturday morning every year.

There were 80 entries. In years past the number has been as high as 100. However, the smaller number was capped as many entries had multiple vehicles or marchers like Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire District, preceded by Cloverdale RFD, with over a dozen combined pieces of equipment from fire engines to ambulances.

“This could have been an ag show,” mused Woody Lasater from Sweet Home making his annual parade pilgrimage. He was pointing to the impressive numbers of front-end loaders, backhoes, drilling rigs, trenchers, and the like that went past the crowds.

There was something for everybody but to a person it seemed that the horses were the most captivating. With their shoed hooves clacking against the asphalt, they stood and pranced with stately dignity.

America’s love for horses

SCLA presentation go to the City website, Agenda and Meetings tab, Recent Meetings tab, and click on Council meeting video of June 10.

The cohort members are Jessica Boero, Julia de Castro, Jayden Durtschi, Spence Hendry, Ginger Kretschmer, Zane Miller, David Moore, Alyssa Riley, Regan Roberts, Indigo Teiwes, Carrie-Ann Tkaczyk, and Coty Weston.

In the Council workshop of June10, Jayden Durtschi kicked off the presentation with the three questions asked of the cohort: Does compensation reduce barriers to serving? What unintended consequences might arise? What forms of compensation are possible?

Durtschi noted that the cohort added a fourth question: Could compensation increase candidate count? Based on interviews of 65 people, councilors past and present, business owners, and residents there was consensus that compensation is one of the barriers to running for an elected office and shared other barriers.

David Moore discussed the interviewees’ perception of barriers to running for local offices in order of importance. Not enough time was at the top followed by lack of interest, lack of knowledge or awareness about the job, financial and economic (lack of compensation), adverse

civic and cultural environments, and lack of diverse representational and structural access. Moore added that interviewees thought City Council members worked about five hours per week and were surprised to learn it was twice to four times that amount of work.

Indigo Teiwes shared an observation on the question of compensation increasing candidate participation. In 2011, Orange City removed council compensation and the number of candidates running for council seats dropped precipitously. In 2020 Orange City reinstated the compensation for incoming elected councilors. Compensation helps pay for time in service, Teiwes noted, but does not guarantee diversity on council, solve cultural issues, or assure civic knowledge gaps are overcome.

Teiwes covered the types of compensation besides pay considered: health insurance (the City does have workers compensation of $2,500 annually available to an elected councilor who is injured while doing council work), wellness or childcare reimbursements, credits on municipal utilities, technical stipend or reimbursement, and a filing fee reimbursement (candidates pay a filing fee to run for office – if they win the seat that amount could be reimbursed).

Teiwes noted the cohort looked at $150 per month for each councilor (works out to about $10 per meeting per month) or $500 per month for a mayor ($6,000 annually) and $300 per month for four councilors ($14,400 total annually). The annual

fiscal impact of the former is $9,000 and $20,400 for the latter; either would come out of the City’s general fund. She added that above $600 per year is taxable income. Given these compensation examples, Teiwes shared that considering average property taxes within the City paid by owners, the impact to each owner to pay for City Council would be a little over $8 annually, “...the price of one latte and a pastry.”

Carrie-Ann Tkaczyk presented the pros and cons of compensating councilors. She visualized a Venn diagram where there are two circular sets, one holding those people who have the time and financial ability to afford to run for a volunteer civic office and the other set is of those who cannot based on one or more of the aforementioned barriers. Compensation creates the intersection where a few from the latter set can now be counted among the former set. Compensation to councilors might open the door a little more to diversity on the City Council.

Council was very pleased with the professional report and presentation and were impressed to learn of other barriers to candidacy raised by the public. Councilor Cheryl Pellerin said SCLA’s report brought up, “much food for thought.” Mayor Jennifer Letz wanted the public to know that, “we are not experts...to not let lack of experience stop you from being a candidate...all it takes is curiosity and dedication to show up and do the work.” The workshop ended with a big round of applause for the 2026 Sisters CLA cohort.

Artist stories behind the paintings

Artist and author Mary Marquiss will present “Behind the Painting: An Artist’s Memoir” at Paulina Springs Books, on Thursday, June 25 at 6:30 p.m.

Behind every painting, there is a story. In this intimate memoir, artist and author Mary Marquiss tells the personal stories that inspired 10 of her paintings.

Created across three decades, each work is in response to both the light side of life and the serious challenges she navigated, including divorce, family suicide, a stroke, and cancer. Her art and stories are interwoven. They chart the course of a woman on the road to adventure and deeper self-discovery.

“Behind the Painting” shines a light on the artist’s process and is a testament to the transformative power of creativity, revealing how the deepest emotions can be forged into lasting beauty.

Mary Marquiss has been an art teacher and artist for 30 years. Through her serious life challenges, Marquiss discovered a relationship with her art in the form of a circular language.

If you have ever faced what felt like insurmountable life challenges, her stories and paintings will inspire you. With a degree in psychology, and both an artist and writer, the most provocative element to her paintings is their personal content.

Paulina Springs Books is located at 252 W. Hood Ave.

Seven Hammers

ByPaulAlanBennett

“Wher e is my hammer!” the car penter cried, “I just put it down, under all I did look, but wher e it has gone, I am quite mystified. ” So of f to the store in his car he did ride to buy a new hammer to hang on a hook.

And the shape of the hammer, its outline he’ d tr ace on the w all with a mar ker he kept in a dr awer Eac h tool silhouette had its own special place and the pride of his wor k c lear ly showed on his face, when a pr oject was done, he’d sweep up the floor

His wor k table filled, pr ojects would come his way, lar ge pieces of plywood and all kinds of sticks, “Never know you might need that,” he’ d quite often say. Paint br ushes, drill pr esses, his fly-fish display, when anything broke, he soon would then fix.

And after he’ d died his daughter came bac k to c lean the gara ge, she’s the near est of kin. Se ven hammers she found under paper s and sacks. Then she looked at the wall, with those outlines in blac k and she smiled at the shape w her e a hammer had been.

Obituaries

July 30, 1935 – May 26, 2026

Kathryn was born in Medford to Jean and William/Bill McAllister. She attended Medford High School and after graduating attended Stanford University in Palo Alto, California where she graduated summa cum laude in 1957. She married her husband, Ray Nissley Miller, who was also at Stanford at the same time, in 1956. They were lovingly married for 69 years.

Kathryn graduated from Willamette Law School in Salem, Oregon in 1988 and practiced law for several years after her children had grown.

Kathryn was a member of both Presbyterian and Methodist congregations through the years and taught Sunday school at the United Methodist Church in Bend, Oregon in the 1970s. She loved horses and spent long hours with her two children and the horses. She kept and showed her own hackney pony in the Pacific Northwest as well. In her later years she wrote and published a book called “Kate at the Castle,” which was in part a tribute to her oldest child, Katie, who passed away in 2010.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Ray Miller of

Robert Boswell

Passed May 27, 2026

Robert Boswell of Sisters passed away on May 27, at the age of 71.

Bob was born and raised in North Portland and attended Portsmouth School and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1972.

In 1983, while teaching at John Ball School and working for The Boys Club of America, Bob met and married the love of his life, Elizabeth Thompson, and they spent the next 43 years “doing” life together.

He is survived by his loving wife and their three children: Jeffrey (Rhiannon), Jennifer (Jon Melton), and Bryan (Talia). They have six grandchildren: Channing, Brayden, and Morgan Boswell; and Jameson, Madilyn, and Eleanor Melton and sister Katherine (John Pennock) of Utah.

Bob loved life and people. He and Beth enjoyed traveling the world exploring interesting places. But above all, he was passionate about spending time with his family! An avid fisherman, he made it his goal to teach his grandchildren to share his passion! He loved to hike, and he enjoyed camping on family-owned

Black Butte, Oregon and her son, Dr. Ray Miller Jr. She is survived by her older brother, William McAllister, who is a retired lawyer who lives in Portland, Oregon, and his two daughters, Kathryn’s nieces, Sue and Jennifer. She has a nephew, Matthew Miller, who lives in New Mexico. She has four grandchildren, Richard and William Aime, and Elena and Nevaeh Miller. She has two great-grandchildren, Stevie and Catherine, who are daughters of Richard and William.

She was proceeded in death by her eldest child, Kathryn Menzies Miller. Kathryn’s ashes were scattered over Mount Bachelor where they are with her daughter’s ashes. There will be no other formal memorial service. She is remembered as a kind and gentle soul who smiled at everyone she met. She was a classy Oregon lady until the day she died.

property on the Columbia River.

One of Bob’s proudest outdoor accomplishments was hiking the summit of Mt. Hood, and he attended the 1994 World Cup.

Bob served the community of Sisters as “FedEx Bob,” “coach and referee Bob,” and “Big Bob,” Sisters school bus driver.

Bob led by example, being a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend. His passing has left many family, friends, and neighbors, old and new, greatly missing his humor and genuine interest in everyone he met.

His faith has carried him on to the greatest place.

There will be a Celebration of Life on September 15 at Sisters High School Gymnasium at 5:30 p.m.

Please log on at https:// gb774.app.goo.gl/RX4bN to share a special memory of Bob.

On a recent Tuesday evening as I was loading up The Nugget for deliver y, a woman came up on the porch and g rabbed a handful of papers. She told me it is a weekly ritual for her to pick up papers for her neighbors, who all enjoy reading the paper “cover-to-cover.” She’s been doing this for years, and she said:

“I

hope you keep going forever.”

We hear from readers like that on a regular basis, and it’s the most g ratifying aspect of our work.

Our goal is to keep going forever — and to do that, support from our readers has become vital. It’s no secret that print media is in trouble across the nation. Costs continue to rise, and can’t simply be passed on to advertisers who are already stressed by their own higher costs of doing business. Readership declines as people’s habits change, and in many places, people don’t read at all, to a point where many think we’re entering a ‘post-literate’ society

That’s the bad news.

The good news is that Sisters is still home to readers — and writers, too. We know that the community values their newspaper, because you tell us so — and many want to support their newspaper so that it does stay vital for years to come. And we continue to seek to find new ways to provide value for their support. There are now multiple ways that readers can directly support The Nugget that are easy and aren’t expensive but have a big impact:

Suppor ting Contributions: Direct contributions to The Nugget are allocated to support our outstanding stable of freelance reporters, columnists, and photographers. You can make a supporting contribution online at www.nuggetnews.com (hit the “Donate” button); or you can mail a check to P.O. Box 698, Sisters OR 97759; or (best of all) stop by the office at 442 E. Main Ave. We love to talk with our readers.

Subscribe to the “Nuggets From A Small Town” Substack: Substack is an online subscription platform for creators. “Nuggets From A Small Town” offers longer-form essays from Editor in Chief Jim Cornelius, for readers who like to engage with thoughtful writing on topics ranging from identity to the power of empathy, what we learn — or don’t — from histor y. This week’s essay looks at the importance of reading what it might mean to be a “post-literate society.” You can access “Nuggets From A Small Town” at https://jimcornelius609. substack.com. All subscriptions directly support The Nugget Newspaper

Online subscription: The content published on Substack and other subscriber-only content is available with an online subscription to nuggetnews.com. Click the subscribe button to sign up or call the office and we can assist you.

Print subscriptions cover only the cost of deliver y; the paper continues to be “free.”

Directly paying for our content is the best way readers can help us continue to provide it. It’s also vital to shop local and support the businesses that advertise in The Nugget — and provide Sisters with so much of its character

Change is inevitable, and more rapid than ever — but, with your help, we can preserve good things that “make Sisters Sisters.” With your suppor t, we can ensure that The Nugget is there for you each week to read “cover-to cover,” with more content for readers online. And maybe we will just go on forever.

Thank you,

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Intention setting session part of Solstice in Sisters event

By T. Lee Brown Correspondent

The concept of setting intentions has become a trend on par with mindfulness. But what, exactly, is intention setting?

Sarah Schantz, founder of Sisters Wellness Collective, has her own take on it. “The idea is to direct our energy,” she said. She will co-lead an intention-setting session for Solstice in Sisters, a gathering June 21 at Sisters Community Labyrinth.

The Willie Nelson song “Energy Follows Thought” inspires her in this realm of exploration. “The whole song is beautiful,” she enthused. When it comes to setting intentions, she thinks of these lines:

“Imagine what you want/ And get out of the way... Remember energy follows thought/ So be careful what you say.”

Intention setting usually involves saying, writing, or even chanting words that express a person’s hopes and desires. Willie’s warning is a good one in this context: be careful what those words are.

On solstice — the longest, lightest day of the year — participants will have the opportunity to think about what they would like to welcome into their lives during the next six months.

Will it be a sense of playfulness? Of generosity? Will it be a renewed focus on their

LETTERS

Continued from page 2

family, their health, or an activity they love to do?

Will they set an intention simply to love?

Or will they ask for a trip to Paris?

Some think of intention setting as goal-oriented prayer: asking God, the Fates, Mother Nature, the universe, or other greater power to please bring us a specific special something that we want in our lives. Others don’t care for the idea of greater powers, and stick to a nonspiritual system for manifesting their heart’s current desire.

Some think of intentions as New Age, white-light statements of a person’s specific wishes, maybe put forth while lighting candles or other ceremonial touches. Some think of it as a kind of magic, where the person’s willpower makes things happen out in the world.

It could be a new car, a new partner, or material wealth, possibly phrased as “abundance.” These approaches can become like writing letters to Santa Claus or strategizing a business plan.

“Those intentions feel real one-sided and restrictive to me,” Schantz said.

What’s the form of intention setting she likes to work with? “The way that I like to hold my energy and intention, where I’d like to go forward is like a dial on a compass, when it wobbles around before settling on north.”

The dial on a compass moves back and forth, oscillating around the directing before it eventually homes in on magnetic north, she said. “There’s a relationship with life that every intention requires us to be in, which takes us in a general direction on a journey that we could never know in advance.”

An intention of that sort brought Schantz to Sisters. Living in Santa Cruz, California, she opened herself to an expansive idea: “more space.”

Over time, as she sat with the concept of more space, she recognized that the idea encompassed “more space meaning more time in my life, meaning physical openness of space.” The need for more space became part of her “sensory barometer.”

Then came pandemic. She visited her parents, who live in Sisters, and immediately knew: “Oh, this is it.”

“I never said, my intention is to move to Sisters, Oregon, in one year,” she stresses.

Schantz’s gentle reach toward her soul’s desire was general, allowing for curiosity, patience, and unexpected occurrences.

“To have too specific of an intention can lead to disappointment... and it’s so limiting to the experience that life has for us in our learning.”

Intention setting can be inclusive of everybody, regardless of whether they have a religion or spirituality practice or worship a deity.

“There is a force in life that’s bigger than us,” Schantz believes, “whatever name you call it as.”

Intention setting is part of “a dynamic relationship with whatever that force is, to move in a direction that’s more fulfilling for our hearts... where we’re being drawn to.”

Swapping out a specific, demanding approach for a wider one encourages open ness. “It’s OK to want things in life,” she said. “Why wouldn’t we move in the direction of what we want? What else is there?”

located within Gateway Park (formerly East Portal) at the corner of Highway 242 and West Hood Avenue.

Like other solstices, this labyrinth event is free of charge. For more information, see related article, page 20 , and www.sisters communitylabyrinth.org.

can be taken to change this policy. Currently, many cyclists feel forced to “jump” official closures to access a route they have traveled miles to ride, which is not an ideal situation.

Have the City Council and the Chamber of Commerce discussed this matter with ODOT? I look forward to learning more about any potential efforts to open this route for cycling during the seasonal vehicle closure.

Winston Saunders

s s s

Thank you sixth-grade team!

To the Editor:

My daughter is in the final days of her first year at Sisters Middle School and she has had a transformative year. That isn’t to say everything was easy but it is to say that for the first time since we moved to Sisters four years ago, she wanted to go to school. I credit the incredible group of 6th grade teachers and the diverse set of class offerings — including Outlaw Theater, thank you Jennie Sharp! — for this change in my daughter.

Every day after school she’d share some form of: a funny story from something that happened in class; a meaningful comment made by a teacher “I like that band too, thanks for speaking up today, I’m glad you’re here”; trust extended so she could work independently; and boundaries held when limits were tested.

It wasn’t all perfect papers and no absences though, she dealt with her fair share of meanness and she felt like she had the resources in school to manage it. For all rising fifth-grade parents, know that you are getting the best of the best. Middle school inherently has its challenges but you could not ask for a better spot for your child to land. Thank you SMS sixth-grade team from the softest place in my heart!

Emily Stukel

Join Schantz at the nonreligious, nondenominational Solstice in Sisters gathering on Sunday, June 21, at 7 p.m. It takes place at Sisters Community Labyrinth,

GRADUATION: Outlaws step into the future as Class of 2026

Continued from page 1

silence, judgment, and the stories people are told about one another before they ever get the chance to understand each other. And if hate can be learned, then maybe understanding can be learned too. Maybe kindness is something we practice. Maybe courage is something we build. Maybe love is something we choose, especially when it is not the easiest choice.”

Long concluded, “My friend Jaime wanted me to say this tonight, and I think it belongs here: ‘The only thing more powerful than hate is love.’ I know that might sound simple, but I do not think it is. Love is not just being nice when it is easy. Love is having the courage to care when it would be easier to look away. It is standing beside people when they feel alone. It is choosing compassion even when judgment feels more comfortable. It is deciding that fear does not get to be the loudest voice in the room.

“And I know speaking up can be scary,” she said. “I know stepping outside your comfort zone can feel uncomfortable, especially when you do not know how people will respond. But that does not mean our voices do not matter. We do not have to speak perfectly or confidently every time. We just

have to be willing to try. We have the chance to notice what is happening around us, to support people who need it, and to challenge the things that make others feel unseen or unheard.”

Nieto, who will also attend UO’s Clark Honors College, started out with some self-deprecating humor about giving a valedictory speech and moved toward heartfelt appreciation for her education in Sisters and the people along the way who supported her, that stretched back to grade school, saying, “When I reflect on my experiences in the Sisters School District, from second grade to high school — amidst all the noise, they’re all tied together with one common thread: Connection.

“So take a moment to celebrate yourself, but also celebrate those next to you. And more importantly, celebrate those spectacular people who helped drag you across this finish line, whether it be a parent, friend, teacher, sibling, cousin, grandparent, or coworker — I want you to think of that one person, or if you’re extremely blessed, more than one, and thank them tonight.”

She concluded by saying, as her final point, “You can never really show enough gratitude for those around you who love and support you. I promise that there are more than you think. Because, as Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio and a good friend suggested I say, ‘Lo único más poderoso que el odio, es el amor.’”

Principal Steve Stancliff wove in special gratitude to his remarks for three long-time humanities teachers at Sisters High including Jami Lyn Weber, Gail Greaney, and Samra Spear, who started her career the opening year of the new high school in 1992. Bill Mitchell, a para-professional and coach for over 22 years was also recognized.

Dugan Draper, Serafina Smith, Londyn Lee, Humberto Reyes Sanchez, Tobann Bionda, and Olivia Nieto performed “Two Weeks” by Grizzly Bear, which was followed by the classic then-and-now slide show featuring photos of graduates.

Ultimately, with School Board Chair Asa Sarver and Superintendent Curtiss Scholl joining Stancliff on stage, the 97 graduating members of the class of 2026 marched one by one to receive their culminating reward, a diploma. Nieto then instructed her classmates to move their tassels from right to left and presented the graduates of the Class of 2026. Cheering and cap-tossing ensued and soon they all made their way out of the gym to the song “Higher Love” to go meet friends, family and teachers.

MUSIC: Series

will continue through summer

Continued from page 3

interplay between the variety of instruments that might come out on any given song. Their songs will touch you, their songs will rock you, and they’ll stay with you.

Covers include songs by Neil Young, the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and the Eagles.

“We’ve never played a show like this before, electric and with a full drum kit”, said Scott Crabtree. “We’ve been practicing hard and are

excited to share the new electric Haystack Jack Band with the Sisters community.”

“We were so happy with Haystack Jack Band last year that we decided to book them twice this year,” said Brad Boyd, founder of Eurosports. “We’re excited to see these high-energy electric sets.”

The full Eurosports Friday Night Music schedule can be found at: https:// eurosports.us/music/. In addition to Friday Night Music, Eurosports also hosts weekly Trivia Nights every Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and Classic Cars on Saturday Nights from 5 to 7 p.m., weather-permitting March through October.

Solstice gathering to celebrate light June 21

By T. Lee Brown Correspondent

All over the Northern Hemisphere, since ancient times, people gather together in June for summer solstice—the longest, lightest day of the year. Solstice marks the first day of summer, a time of hope and excitement.

A gathering doesn’t have to look like the theatrical allnight festival at Stonehenge or a scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark. It can look like community, like folks in Sisters sharing a moment of celebration together.

The Solstice in Sisters event will take place Sunday, June 21, beginning at 7 p.m. in Gateway Park. Sarah Schantz, founder of Sisters Wellness Collective, will co-lead a guided intention setting activity; see related article, page 18.

People are invited to gather and celebrate, have some snacks, maybe do some face painting...then walk through Sisters Community Labyrinth together.

At 7:30, folks will ring bells, play hand drums, and wend their way through the labyrinth, walking in single file yet together. People are invited to bring along a special stone or flower to place at the boulder in the labyrinth’s center.

“I love the energy that we have and how solstice really provides a chance to set intentions for the summer and to just rejoice,” said the labyrinth committee’s youth ambassador, Gusty BergerBrown, age 15.

Guests are invited to wear white or bright colors, perhaps a decorated sun hat. Crowns and garlands made from fresh or dry flowers are popular solstice traditions in Europe and the U.S. Costumes and special outfits are welcome at Solstice in Sisters; everyday clothes are

fine too.

“Just go with the flow,” said Berger-Brown. “Bring fun clothes or just enjoy yourself walking in the labyrinth. It’s a low-key affair.” Sensible shoes are wise, as some pathways at the park are a bit rocky to navigate.

The gathering is casual, and participants are welcome to set the tone by bringing something celebratory to share. It could be flowers, bells, drums, face paints, or non-alcoholic drinks. Organizers will have some noisemakers on hand for people to use as well. Water and sunscreen are recommended.

Bringing a special rock to place at the labyrinth’s center has become a tradition. Folks can bring a stone they like, or a natural item such as flowers or small wooden object.

Berger-Brown has returned to the labyrinth for winter and summer solstices each year for a decade.

“It’s just a nice way to reset and connect back to what matters.”

Solstice in Sisters begins at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, at Sisters Community Labyrinth in Gateway Park, Highway 242 and West Hood Avenue. Admission is free. All ages are welcome.

The park is open, complete with restrooms and a shelter with shade. Details are available at www. sisterscommunitylabyrinth. org; the link forwards to a legitimate MailChimp site.

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SUDOKU SOLUTION

for puzzle on page 21

SFF Presents announces hiring of executive director

By Leanne Summers Board Chair SFF Presents

Here at SFF Presents (SFFP), we are preparing for our 4th Annual Big Ponderoo. This multi-day event includes one of my top-three evenings of the year, the Free Community Celebration on Thursday night. Seeing Village Green full of families and friends connecting, laughing, dancing, and listening to great music is a joyful way of entering into summer and festival season.

and transformation. The mission of SFF Presents, to strengthen community and transform lives through music and art, deeply resonates with me. I am excited to work alongside the board, staff, volunteers, artists, donors, and community partners to build on nearly three decades of success, expand opportunities for audiences of all ages, and ensure that SFF Presents continues to thrive as a vibrant cultural resource for Sisters and the region for years to come.”

Long Term Rentals

This year, that momentum brings some exciting news about SFFP. December Carson has been selected as our next executive director. December is a visionary arts leader, marketer, and nonprofit executive with more than 30 years of experience advancing arts organizations, festivals, and cultural initiatives. Throughout her career, December has built and grown programs, developed strategic partnerships, cultivated audiences and donors, and led high-performing teams. Most recently, she served as director of marketing and patron services at the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts in Beaverton, where she led marketing, public relations, audience engagement, patron services, and frontof-house operations for the region’s first new performing arts center in more than three decades.

“I am honored and thrilled to join SFF Presents as its next executive director,” December said. “As a lifelong Oregonian and someone who has attended the Sisters Folk Festival for 20 years, I have experienced firsthand the extraordinary impact this organization has on artists, audiences, and the broader community. SFF Presents has built a remarkable legacy of creating meaningful connections through music, art, and shared experiences, while enriching the cultural and economic vitality of Central Oregon. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about using the arts as a catalyst for community building, learning,

As December prepares to join us at SFFP, we also celebrate our outgoing executive director, Crista Munro, and the extraordinary legacy she leaves behind. During her tenure, she has capitalized on her own 25 years of industry experience to lead SFFP through organizational development and transitions, growing and strengthening one of the region’s most effective and respected nonprofit music and arts organizations. Under her leadership, SFFP has doubled annual revenue and significantly expanded youth and adult education programming.

“Leading SFF Presents has been an incredible privilege for me,” Crista says, “As I look back at everything our team and community have accomplished over the past seven years, I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome December to the helm. She brings the vision, energy, and leadership that SFFP needs to reach new heights. I have full confidence that under December’s guidance, the organization will continue to innovate, thrive, and deeply impact our community.”

Crista plans to stay in Sisters and will help December transition into her new leadership position over the next several months.

As we welcome December to the community, we are also profoundly grateful for all Crista has given to this organization and look forward to seeing what her new chapter brings.

SFF Presents’ future is bright, and we look forward to seeing you out there enjoying fabulous music and dancing in the grass.