The Nugget Newspaper // Vol. XLIX No. 31 // 2026-08-05

The Nugget

Sisters Country kids impress at fair

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

There’s a particular sound that means the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo has arrived: the low, patient murmur of livestock barns filling up. Steers shuffle in trailers. Lambs get one last brushing. And somewhere between the wash rack and the show ring, a kid in their best duds is quietly becoming a leader — one animal, one lesson, one long summer at a time.

That’s the scene each year when the Fair’s livestock programs open their gates, and it’s no accident. For the community, the barns are a rare chance to see, up close, where food and fiber actually come from. For the young exhibitors leading their animals into the ring, it’s something more: a hands-on education in responsibility that no classroom can quite replicate.

And year after year, that education runs through two organizations that have been shaping young people long before the Fair’s gates opened this week – 4-H and FFA.

Cloverdale Livestock Club, our 4-H, is no stranger to the Fair. This year the Club has 73 members ages 5 to 18, including the younger ones,

Forest dwellers and the law

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

With fire season in full bloom in Oregon and wildfire smoke visible from Sisters, some social media users are expressing fear that longterm encampments in our nearby woods could lead to a catastrophic event.

In particular, several sites like the one shown on page 14, just 100 yards off FS Road 100 and less than a half mile from dense residential neighborhoods, are raising alarms. Such sites, some of which have been in the woods for months and in some cases years, resist efforts of law enforcement to get forest dwellers to abandon their location.

Sam House posted: “Over the past week or so our new deputy has issued over 25 citations out there. They’re doing their best to hold these

folks accountable, but are not getting the support they need from our AG’s office. Write your representative and respectfully request they put more pressure on the AG to prosecute these citations.”

By new deputy he means U.S. Forest Service LEO (Law Enforcement Officer) Alex Benson, recently assigned to the Sisters Ranger District. Benson met July 2 with a group comprised of CORE, SCLI, CAMP and David Fox, a specialist with Deschutes County Behavioral Health who spends much of his time working with the houseless in Sisters, and other Forest Service personnel.

CORE (Community Outreach, Resources, and Emergency) operates a shelter and provides laundry, propane exchange, and feeding services for the houseless

those 5 to 8, who are called Cloverbuds. They are competing across sheep, cattle, goat, swine, and poultry categories.

They performed quite well taking home dozens of ribbons. Among the stars are

See COUNTY FAIR on page 20

Sisters Rodeo Grounds was base camp

By

President Brian

got the call on Wednesday, July 15, right after thunderstorms sprayed Central Oregon with lightning strikes. A fire had broken out at Akawa Butte northeast of Sisters, and the Oregon Department of Forestry needed a fire camp, staging area, and headquarters from which to fight what was surely to become a significant blaze.

Greig said that the decision was “a no-brainer” for the board of directors. All they had to do was to have

Longtime coach runs into retirement

By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

Running has been a way of life for longtime Outlaws cross country coach Charlie Kanzig. He believes that distance running is effective training for all aspects of life.

“Testing your body like that — and your mind — is just a really good application for the rest of your life,” he told The Nugget last week. “Coaching is making people believe what they’re capable of.”

Taking on hard things and persevering through strain and suffering to thrive and triumph is a pillar of Kanzig’s coaching philosophy, which has sustained Outlaws cross country teams for 30 successful years. As the preseason gets underway for cross country runners, the coach is stepping away from the program he built.

OPINION

Letters to the Editor…

The Nugget welcomes contributions from its readers, which must include the writer’s name, address, and phone number. Letters to the Editor is an open forum for the community and contains unsolicited opinions not necessarily shared by the Editor. The Nugget reserves the right to edit, omit, respond, or ask for a response to letters submitted to the Editor. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned. The deadline for all letters is 10 a.m. Monday.

Adams Avenue safety

To the Editor: Oregon Administrative Rule 734-020-005 establishes the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the Oregon Temporary Traffic Control Handbook as the standards for temporary traffic control on public roadways. Despite this, the project on Adams Avenue continues without any semblance of traffic control.

Motorists are expected to navigate the roadway with excavators, dump trucks and other heavy equipment moving without predictability. Pedestrians, including the

disabled, are expected to use walkways with string lines and concrete form boards across them. And don’t even ask when and where it’s OK to park.

Times are tough and money for public works projects is tight, but the safety of the public and construction workers should be paramount. The City is likely opening itself up to significant liability by eschewing the temporary traffic control requirements. Unfortunately, this project does not meet those expectations.

Chris Penka

Sisters Weather Forecast

See LETTERS on page 15

Initiatives and political weirdness

By Tim Nesbitt Oregon Capital Chronicle

When Initiative Petition 28 failed to qualify for Oregon’s November ballot last week, my first reaction was relief.

IP 28 would have banned all hunting and fishing and most ranching and farming practices in the state. And, despite polls showing it would have faced overwhelming opposition from Oregon voters, its presence on the ballot would have sparked a silly debate about whether Oregonians should have to live like hunter-gatherers, without the hunting. I’m glad we avoided that.

But my second reaction was different. IP 28 was the only one of 88 potential initiatives filed with the Secretary of State that came close to qualifying for the 2026 general election. As a result, this will be the first time since 1966 — 60 years ago! — that Oregon voters will see not a single initiative measure on their ballots.

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Is this the sign of a healthy state government, where our elected representative are taking care of the people’s business? Or a sign of fatalism in our democracy at a time when there seems no end of real problems to solve?

three decades ago — paying bounties for signatures, allowing itinerant hustlers to trick unsuspecting voters into signing petitions, and copying signatures from one petition to another — set the stage for a decade of reforms that followed.

In 2002, Oregon voters approved a constitutional amendment (Measure 26) banning payments per signature in initiative campaigns. Campaigns for and against proposed initiatives began to pay more attention to the front end of the process. They lawyered up, launching legal battles to clarify or obscure the true purposes of an initiative when first presented to the voters — or, in the case of opponents, to simply delay initiative sponsors from collecting signatures.

As a result of these changes — some well warranted, others just manipulative — the process of collecting signatures became cleaner, but the effort to pursue an initiative to the ballot became more complicated and expensive. The numbers show what happened next.

In the 1990s and 2000s, Oregonians saw a total of 103 different initiatives on their general election ballots, an average of 10 in every election. In the 2010s, that average dropped below four. So far this decade, it’s been two, now headed to zero.

You might think that the cost and complexity that came with cleaning up the initiative process in Oregon is the reason leaders in our business, labor and civic sectors have disengaged from that process over the past several years. But that thought doesn’t hold up.

You’d think that, with confidence in our Legislature at an all-time low, we’d be using our vaunted initiative process to bring new solutions to the voters. After all, this was the process that, in the lifetimes of most of today’s voters, delivered vote by mail, legalized death with dignity, reset our property tax system, rebalanced our land use reforms and twice raised Oregon’s minimum wage — among other equally controversial but less enduring enactments of laws and constitutional amendments by the people.

There were hints of that energy in the list of wannabe initiatives this year: Open our closed primaries; raise, limit or eliminate certain taxes; audit our K-12 system; clear the backlog in our courtrooms; deal with the dysfunction of our mental health system. But they all fell by the wayside.

The days of “ballot measures gone wild” in the 1990s and early 2000s, when as many as 15 measures competed for our attention on a given ballot, are over.

The abuses that plagued those initiative campaigns

If anything, the leaders in those sectors have all the resources they need to engage the process to reset priorities and advance reforms that would help get our state back on track — unless they’re happy with the performance of our Legislature, pleased with the management of state government, OK with the uncompromising agendas of the major parties and unconcerned about the direction of our economy and civic life.

Perhaps, we’ll see a turnaround in the 2028 election cycle, if the proposals left on the cutting room floor this year find new sponsors and supporters. But, if that’s not the case, we may as well hand over the state’s initiative process to the follies of our political fringes.

Seed to Table gets big funding boost

Members of 100+ Women Who Care of Central Oregon have collectively donated $19,800 to Seed to Table Oregon investing in healthier families, stronger communities, and a brighter future for Central Oregon through growing and distributing fresh, local vegetables. In addition, Seed to Table will receive a $10,000 anonymous donation through the Oregon Community Foundation, bringing the total to $29,800.

“This gift is so much more than funding; it is a powerful statement that our community believes every child, family, and senior deserves access to fresh, locally grown food,” said Audrey Tehan, executive director. “We’re incredibly grateful to 100+ Women Who Care Central Oregon for believing in this mission and demonstrating what’s possible when a community

comes together around a shared purpose. Together, we’re growing healthier people, healthier communities, and a more resilient Central Oregon.”

According to Seed to Table, a recent Community Health Needs Assessment by St. Charles Health System identified access to affordable, healthy food as a leading barrier to health and wellness.

STARS volunteer COMMUNITY

Christi Haynes, volunteer leader of 100+ Women Who Care, said of the generous donations from members, “thank you for helping us grow community, nourish neighbors, and make a lasting difference together.”

With nearly 200 members, 100+ Women Who Care Central Oregon meets quarterly to support local nonprofits that change lives in Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties. 100+ WWCCO surpassed the

$900,000 mark; raising $990,725 since 2014 for 54 different nonprofits in Central Oregon.

At each meeting, members nominate organizations, then listen to three short presentations, and vote for the recipient to receive funds. Each member donates $100 directly to the chosen nonprofit, and together those individual gifts add up to major community impact. Women also have a time to network with one another, plus learn more about how to support their community through collaboration and volunteerism.

The next meeting will be Monday, September 14, at the Council on Aging, 1036 NE 5th St., Bend with networking starting at 5:15 p.m. Space is limited. For information about membership, or nonprofit nomination and eligibility, visit www.100wwcco.com.

Helping seniors with pet food needs

Furry Friends Foundation is thanking 100+ Women Who Care for a generous $8,500 grant that helped meet a critical need last year: keeping beloved pets fed in households that could no longer afford it. Since the grant was a one-time award, the foundation is asking the community to help fill the gap after it has been expended.

Furry Friends Foundation serves about 150 clients a month, distributing 2.5 to three tons of pet food. Clients are eligible for assistance once a month after completing a one-time application. The service area is the Sisters School

District boundary, with a few longtime clients grandfathered in from outside that area.

Seniors make up 40 percent of the foundation’s client base. Most clients already had their pets before hardship hit. Job loss, medical emergencies, divorce, domestic violence, and the loss of a primary income earner are common circumstances that can suddenly make basic pet care unaffordable for a responsible owner.

Recently, new clients from the Akawa Butte fire have reached out for

Giving and receiving as a

There may be nothing more satisfying than giving your neighbors help that you know is materially improving their quality of life.

Volunteers with STARS have that satisfaction. Sisters Transportation and Ride Share launched in March 2020 with a mission “to provide non-emergency medical rides to Sisters’ residents who are unable to drive themselves.”

It’s a vital need that

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 Bible Study for All Thursdays, 6:3 0 p.m. at The Lodge. 5 41-233 -618 9.

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.

Living Well W ith Dementia Sisters Care Par tner Suppor t Group. 2nd & 4th

Weds., 1-2:30 p.m. Siste rs Community Recreation 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 41-410 -739 0. VF W Post 813 8 and A merican Legion Post 8 6 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 D irectors 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.

volunteer drivers and dispatchers have filled untold times in the past six years — but the benefits are not only to those served.

“It’s so fulfilling,” said Rita Weber, who has been driving for the past three years. “It’s easy to do. It fits your schedule; you can choose the rides you do. The training is great, the support is fabulous.”

Weber, like many other drivers, has found friends through the program.

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 Planning Commission 3rd Thursday, 5:3

FIRE & POLICE

Black

Paulina Springs delves into honky-tonk mythology

Author Jimmy McDonough will be in conversation with Josh Lewellen on the subject of his latest and final biography, “Gary Stewart: I Am from the Honky Tonks,” at Paulina Springs Books on Tuesday, August 18 at 6:30 p.m.

The event will feature a discussion of country music great Gary Stewart’s life, a glimpse into the storied output and writing process of McDonough, and a volcanic tour through the singer’s songbook with a performance by Detroit garage rock heroine Margaret Doll Rod.

The undisputed king of the honkytonks, the dark angel of country music, and miles more outlaw than those of the so-called movement, Gary Stewart was a man apart, packing talent bordering on the obscene and a capacity for self-destruction that makes Keith Richards seem about as chemically inclined as an Osmond brother. Barreling out of the gate with chart-toppers like “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles)” and “Drinkin’ Thing,” Stewart’s half-decade stint with stardom was cataclysmic and, for those who were there, impossible to forget.

Upon their meeting, Bob Dylan spoke of the dead-end blues of “Ten Years of This”

and the trance it cast over him – Dylan would listen to the song incessantly.

“You need to hear this,” he would tell fellow convert Tom Petty.

Memphis underground hero Alex Chilton would declare Stewart’s “Single Again,” a Sun-(Records)worshipping, marital eviction notice masterpiece, his favorite song and Stewart the last country singer. Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts played the dual parts of acolytes and accomplices. Gary’s mother, Georgia, a peddler of Avon products by day and heavier substances by night, had Willie Nelson on speed dial.

An epic tale of sex, drugs, and country music almost 40 years in the making, “Gary Stewart: I Am From the HonkyTonks” follows a feral Kentucky family who surfed success and rear-ended disaster in drug-soaked 1970s Florida. At its core is the tempestuous, tragic love story of Gary Stewart and his wife, Mary Lou, that will leave readers haunted long after they turn the last page.

Widely hailed as our greatest living biographer and finest chronicler of American pop culture, New York Times bestselling author Jimmy McDonough has now written nine biographies, covering subjects ranging from world-renowned icons of the arts to extraordinary obscurities from the American underground, every one of them messy, complicated figures whose messy, complicated lives McDonough often embeds himself with, researches to death, and explores in all their unexpurgated, unvarnished glory. The first seven, in chronological order of publication: Neil Young, Andy Milligan, Russ Meyer, Tammy Wynette, Al Green, The Ormonds, Georgette Dante. McDonough swears this will be the last biography he writes, concluding an expertly curated catalogue

of work that doubles as a lifelong, obsessive, and very personal investigation into outsized outsider artists who

reflected and shaped American post-war culture.

Kids and anxiety

By Edie Jones Columnist

Looking out at the smoke and reliving the last few days, I take a minute to check my pulse. Not literally, but the pulse of how I’m handling the anxiety imposed by the fires. I’m sure many of you may be doing the same.

It makes me wonder how the kids that live in our community are faring. Many, I’m sure, are doing well if they have lived through other Central Oregon fire seasons. Kids have a remarkable way of adapting to what comes their way.

Others may not be as prone to adjusting easily when stress engulfs everyone they encounter. No matter how well we adults try to appear cool, calm, and collected, kids know when that’s not the case.

A few things that might help come to mind.

Keeping everyone in the family as physically close as possible is a good place to begin. Young ones, in particular, will want to be very close, probably hanging on and clinging. Allow this as much as you can and be very liberal with physical contact and affection. Even though your teens and older kids may seem to want to be with friends, they still need the grounding that comes from mom and dad. Be aware of how much you need them close to you. The same is true for all ages.

Soft, plush, cuddly toys fill a real purpose at times like this; not just for the very young, but for all kids. The more they’ve been used, the better. Smells, textures, and tastes become super sensitive when stress is lurking and provide comfort in a way nothing else can accomplish.

Don’t be afraid of talking about impending danger. Depending on their age, allow them to know as much as you feel they can handle. Have them be part of a plan in case you all need to evacuate, and honor the treasures they think are important to take with them. It may not make sense to you, but believe me, it does to them. Have them help pack their to-go bag and give them a responsibility that is their particular way of contributing. Talk about the possibility that you could get separated; not to frighten them, but to inform them. What should they do if that happens? The more kids know, the more empowered they will feel and the better able they will be to cope.

As much as possible, keep routines as close to

normal as you can. If anything has thrown me during this last week, it’s been that everything seemed “off kilter.” Many activities have been canceled, leaving me with time on my hands, wondering what’s next. For kids, that can seem threatening, and if left to grow, it can escalate into panic and uncertainty. That’s what you want to avoid. The calmer you can be, the calmer they will be. If they feel you have it “all together,” the better able they will be to go along with whatever is needed.

Plan activities you can all do together if you are stuck inside due to air quality or have to spend time at an evacuation center. Pack board games everyone can play, and ask your kids for ideas. Would this be a good time to teach them to knit or perhaps learn to play chess?

It goes without saying, check off whatever is needed for your pets. No matter their size or breed, they are part of your family and no one knows that better than your kids.

As disconcerting as situations like the one we are now in can be, there can be a positive outcome for kids. When life gets turned upside down, and they learn to make quick decisions, follow directions, and look out for others, they are building skills that will last a lifetime. Continually lavish them with encouragement and gratitude for how they are handling things, and beam with pride as you watch them cope.

None of us want this to go on much longer; however, it is only July. There are many more hot, dry days ahead of us, and whatever came your way last week could conceivably happen again. So, plan ahead for everyone and everything, and be ready. That’s my plan, and I don’t even have kids to be concerned about.

What exercise science can teach us about feeling stuck North of the NOISE

Siobhan Gray, MD Columnist

I know the sound of it before someone finishes the sentence: the same job, the same house, the same plan mentioned so many times over a decade it’s become almost conversational. The property that never gets bought. The career change that never happens. Offered up with just enough conviction that you think this might finally be the year. Then another year passes, and it wasn’t.

Nothing is wrong, exactly. That’s what makes it so hard to name, and harder still to treat.

As a physician, I rarely meet people in this particular stage of life. Patients don’t usually come to me because nothing is happening. They come after something has already shifted: a diagnosis, a frightening symptom, a birthday that lands with unexpected weight. By the time someone sits across from me, they’re often already moving. Something cracked the stillness open. The people who stay still rarely make appointments. There’s no chief complaint for “I’ve wanted something different for a decade and haven’t changed a thing.” Vitals normal, labs reassuring, nothing to treat.

But that doesn’t mean nothing is happening beneath the surface. It means the tools I have as a doctor aren’t built to catch it.

Lately I’ve found myself thinking about this through the lens of exercise physiology, a field that has quietly figured out something the rest of us are still struggling with: how the body actually changes, and why staying moderately active, moderately busy, moderately fine, so often produces less transformation than we’d expect.

The principle is straightforward. Adaptation doesn’t come from repeating the same effort indefinitely. It comes from giving the body an actual

reason to become something different.

Zone 2 training, the lowintensity, sustainable effort that has become a fixture of endurance coaching, illustrates this well. At this pace, the body builds more mitochondria, gets better at burning fat for fuel, and improves how efficiently it delivers oxygen. For most adults, roughly 150 minutes a week of this kind of training forms a genuinely strong foundation for longterm health.

FIREFIGHTER

• Activity: hiking/backpacking, camping

• Length of trip: daytrip or overnight

• Ability level: easy-moderate

• Driving distance from Sisters: 50 minutes one way

One of my favorite places to adventure in Oregon is along the McKenzie River. Regardless of the season, there’s stunning hiking, swimming, hot springing, and biking for all ability levels, as well as countless fishing lodges and campgrounds nestled among the trees. One of my closest friends lives in Eugene, and we make it a point to meet along the McKenzie several times a year to enjoy each other’s company and the natural beauty of the area.

This past spring, my good friend finally completed a rigorous graduate program and we aimed to celebrate with a girls weekend along the McKenzie. As is often the case with constantly shifting schedules and work commitments, we couldn’t decide on a game plan until the day before the trip, which happened to be the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. Honestly, we didn’t have high hopes going into the weekend; we checked every single campground along the McKenzie for last minute cancellations and were not surprised to find that all campsites were booked

solid. Additionally, it was a gorgeous weekend, with forecasted temperatures in the mid-70s, bluebird skies, and cool, calm evenings –we knew that the forecast would likely draw additional tourist traffic and campsite competition.

We took our chances anyway.

My friend had heard about a sweet little lake called Robinson Lake, about an hour from each of us, tucked back 4.5 miles down a dusty gravel road off of Highway 126. Robinson Lake boasted a few lakeside campsites that were only a half-mile walk from the parking area, so we packed accordingly with backpacking equipment, an easy backcountry dinner, and a few cold beers thrown in our packs for good measure.

Our hopes for a secluded peaceful campsite were quickly deflated when we pulled up to a packed parking lot with all lakeside sites occupied, the largest of which housed a loud group of 20-somethings with a stereo blasting techno music. It looked like a fun party, but not exactly the vibe we were going for.

We decided to continue hiking, albeit to an unknown destination. My friend had the Gaia app on her cellphone and there were plenty of hours of daylight left — we figured that if we just hiked far enough along the trails in the area, we were bound to find a quiet place to camp. We lucked out after only 30 minutes of shaded hiking on the Deer Butte Trail, when we spotted an unmarked

user trail that appeared to be headed towards a small lake. The lake we discovered was Kuitan Lake, which featured a flat camping spot, small fire ring, and a downed tree that served as a balance beam walkway to the deepest part of the lake.

It appeared as though no one had camped at the site recently, and the wildlife acted accordingly. During our short overnight stay, we watched a resident Osprey repeatedly divebomb the lake in search of fish and a family of mergansers splashing in the shallows. We spotted hundreds of tadpoles from shore, and listened to the echo of woodpeckers drumming into the old growth as we cooked dinner and warmed our feet by the fire.

The next morning was slightly chilly, and we awoke to a fine mist on the lake and a thin coating of dew on our tent. We had planned to leave camp early as we were aiming to bike the 242 to the Dee Wright Observatory that day, and wanted to beat the heat. However, the pull of Kuitan Lake simply wouldn’t allow us to rush, and we instead spent a slow morning sipping camp coffee and watching the sun rise above the treetops.

Our hike back to the parking lot was quick and easy, and we spotted several varieties of wildflowers that we had missed the day before when we were on high alert for a camping spot. We were also delighted by the thick coating of lime green old man’s beard on the fir trees, and the melodic bird songs

overhead. By the time we arrived back at the trailhead it was late morning — we crept past the 20-somethings at Robinson who were still sleeping, presumably sleeping off the festivities from the night before.

Despite our late start, we still made it to Highway 242 for an afternoon bike ride, grateful and serene after our peaceful evening at Kuitan Lake.

If you are interested in visiting Kuitan Lake or Robinson Lake, both can easily be hiked to in a day or for an overnight camping trip. To reach the Robinson Lake Trailhead, take Highway 20 west from Sisters over Santiam Pass.

From there, head towards Eugene on Highway 126 for about eight miles until you reach Robinson Lake Road on the left. This recently graded gravel road meanders slowly uphill for 4.5 miles to the trailhead where there is ample parking and a few additional camping spots in the large gravel parking lot next to the trailhead.

To reach Kuitan Lake, follow the Deer Butte Trail (3509) for about 1.5 miles past Robinson Lake and keep an eye out for a small unsigned junction to an unofficial trail to Kuitan Lake. For best results, pack a pair of binoculars, a camping hammock, and a cold beverage, and enjoy the solitude!

Mopping up the Akawa Butte Fire

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

As Sisters breathes a collective sigh of relief, firefighters continue the arduous task of mopping up the fire. When a wildfire is finally “contained,” the danger isn’t over. Firefighters still face days, sometimes weeks, of exhausting, dirty work called mop-up, and it’s one of the most important jobs in fighting a fire.

Several fire professionals told The Nugget privately that we came perilously close to mass structure loss.

Not wanting to sow fear in the community, the public face is more measured and optimistic. Ben Duda, emergency manager for Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, is the frontline advisor to the Sheriff who issues the Level 1, 2, or 3 notices that town folk became all too familiar with the last two years.

“We prepared for this event hard for months,” he said. “After the Flat Fire we took all that we learned and put it into our readiness plan. We went into the fire with a lot of solid background and the team to lead it. We had experience on our side.”

But he acknowledged the intensity and unpredictability of the fire.

“When I saw that pyrocumulous (cloud) go up last Wednesday (July 22), I knew we had the potential for a major blowup. It looked like it was going sideways. Just as fast as it went up it came down. A lot was happening very quickly.”

Indeed, at places like Sage Meadow and parts of Indian Ford Road and Wilt Road the warning levels went from 1 to 2 to 3 in what seemed like minutes. Yet, nobody panicked.

Duda heaped praise on the community for its overall fire preparedness, seeing the payoff from property hardening and lessons learned from the Flat Fire. He gave shout outs to C4C, the Red Cross, Salvation Army, the City and others who came together without hesitation.

“In our preseason prep, we were so hoping that any fires would not bump into the Fair,” Duda said. “The fairgrounds wound up having to shelter livestock and handle the Fair as well. Again, one after another of the community pitched in,” he said with a certain amount of

Ordered to evacuate? Do this before you go

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

Some say we dodged a bullet with the Akawa Butte Fire. Maybe so. That’s usually when folks become most complacent. “Don’t lower your guard” warn both Sisters-Camp Sherman and Cloverdale Rural Fire Districts — reminding residents of a simple rule: If an evacuation order reaches your address, leave immediately. No amount of preparation is worth risking your life over, and no property is worth staying behind for.

Over the weekend, folks turned their eyes to the Bench Fire which is more than double the size of Akawa at 67,238 acres and 52 percent containment as of press time. It’s reached the water’s edge of the Metolius south of Pelton Dam. While still a long way from Camp Sherman, it’s less so to Green Ridge, a notoriously steep and heavily timbered line below Black Butte.

From Green Ridge to Sisters is a wildfire super highway.

Some of the eastern edge of Camp Sherman is now at Level 3 — Go Now — evacuation.

While it seems that firefighters have been able to keep the Bench Fire from making a run at Green Ridge, the ongoing presence of a fire threat is a reminder that it’s only the beginning of August,

and we may see more wildfire before the season is done.

Evacuation knowledge and protocols are a fundamental precaution now in Sisters Country. If there’s a little time before you must get out in an evacuation, a handful of steps can meaningfully improve a home’s odds of surviving a wildfire and make it safer for firefighters to defend.

Inside the house, close all windows and doors, but leave them unlocked so crews can get in if they need to. Close the garage door, and if practical, take down flammable curtains. If instructed to do so, shut off propane at the tank. Leave exterior lights on if the power is still running. In heavy smoke, a lit porch light can help firefighters find a house.

Outside, the goal is removing anything that can catch an ember. Move patio cushions, umbrellas, doormats, and hanging decorations either indoors or at least 30 feet from the structure. Stack firewood and lumber the same distance away, and pull propane grills off decks entirely.

If it’s safe to do so, sweep pine needles and leaves off decks, porches, roof valleys, and gutters, all common places embers settle before a fire ever arrives. Move vehicles into the driveway, nose-out toward the street, windows up. Some agencies ask that keys be

left in the ignition.

Turn off landscape irrigation to preserve water pressure, unless local authorities say otherwise, but leave hoses connected to outdoor spigots so firefighters can use them.

Gather medications, identification, important documents, phones and chargers, family photos, pets and pet supplies, and a few days of clothing. Tell someone where you’re headed, and register at an evacuation center if one has been set up.

Just as important is what not to do. Don’t linger to watch the fire or wait because it still looks far away. Wildfires can move several miles in an hour under wind-driven conditions, and there’s no guarantee of a second warning. Don’t leave gas cans or propane tanks near the house, and don’t park a car on dry grass. Leave driveway gates unlocked and your address clearly visible, so crews don’t lose time finding the property.

Placing a lawn sprinkler on the roof before leaving is a common instinct, but fire officials generally discourage it. Power and water pressure often fail exactly when it’s needed, and it does little against wind-blown embers while draining water

firefighters may need.

And once a fire has passed, don’t return until authorities say it’s safe. Downed power lines, hot ash pits, and damaged roads are common hazards in the aftermath.

For anyone with only five minutes, officials say the priorities are people and pets first, then medications and documents, closing up the house, unlocking gates, connecting hoses, and leaving immediately by a known evacuation route.

Connie Boyle 541-508-1500

Students explore ancient art...

SFF Presents’ Didgeri-DOO It! camp concluded last week with students presenting a review of what they learned. The campers in fifth through eighth grade shared the history of the didgeridoo, a sampling of the sounds — many representative of animals, the artwork they chose to decorate the instruments they made from PVC pipe and beeswax, as well as a percussion exercise. The camp was led by Sky Guasco, a didgeridoo player and keyboardist for the Eugene-based reggae-fusion band Sol Seed.

MOP-UP: Critical phase comes after crisis has passed

Continued from page 7

hometown pride.

When we asked if there were adequate resources during the early hours, he explained that, “We already were well into a number of small fires. The strike on Akawa Butte itself was the last of a series of strikes. You can never have too many resources,” he answered.

Being a veteran firefighter, he talked at length about tactics and concluded that the final outcome reflects the level of preparedness and tenacity of the crews.

Mop-up begins once crews have stopped a fire’s forward spread by building control lines, the boundaries between unburned land and the burned area. But a fire that looks out is often still smoldering underground. That’s where mop-up crews

come in.

Firefighters start at the control line and work their way inward, checking anywhere from 50 to 100 feet or more into the burned area on large fires. On smaller spot fires, they may check the entire interior.

The real challenge is finding heat that isn’t visible. Fire can burn for days underground in root systems, ash pits, and rotting logs. To track it down, firefighters use a technique called cold-trailing, feeling the ground with bare hands or the back of a hand to check for warmth in soil and ash.

They also watch for faint smoke, white ash, or insects gathering over warm patches of dirt. On some fires, crews use infrared cameras, sometimes mounted on drones, to spot hidden hot spots from above.

Once heat is found, it has to be dug up and put out. Using tools like Pulaskis, shovels, and McLeod rakes, firefighters break apart smoldering logs and stir burning

material into the soil until it’s cold to the touch. Dead standing trees near the line, which can hold fire high in the canopy, are cut down if they pose a hazard. On steep slopes, logs are secured so they can’t roll into unburned vegetation.

Crews use two main approaches. Wet mop-up relies on water or foam carried by hose lines, engines, or backpack pumps. Dry mop-up, used when water isn’t available, relies on manual labor: digging, separating, and smothering hot material with dirt.

It’s not glamorous work, but fire officials consider it essential. A single ember left buried in the forest floor can reignite days later, especially if wind picks up, potentially jumping the control line and sparking a new fire.

Mop-up may not make headlines the way a raging wildfire does. But for the crews on the ground, it’s often the work that determines whether a fire truly stays out.

Bat rabies matches record in Oregon

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) are urging people to prevent exposure to rabies while highlighting the importance of bats and other wildlife to the state’s ecosystems.

So far, 22 bats have tested positive for rabies in 2026, according to OHA data. That means the state has matched – and is poised to surpass – its record for the number of bats that test positive for rabies in a single year. Bats have carried the rabies virus in their populations for thousands of years and are well known to carry rabies today,

but generally at a very low level. Nevertheless, they account for the most human exposures to the virus more than any other species in the U.S.

The highest number of animals testing positive for rabies since 2000 was in 2006, when 22 bats and two foxes were found to be carrying the disease. In 2023, 20 bats tested positive for the virus.

Emilio DeBess, DVM, public health veterinarian at OHA’s Public Health Division, said the more contact someone has with bats, the higher the risk of exposure to rabies.

Novel chronicles three generations of military family

Southern Oregon-based author Molly Tinsley will present her latest novel, “A Modest Trumpet Fanfare,” at Paulina Springs Books on Wednesday, August 12, at 6:30 p.m.

“A Modest Trumpet Fanfare” is a saga that tracks three generations of the Diamond family and tells the story of a family defined by duty and undone by truth. Raised in the shadow of war, Ted and Marina Diamond set out to build the ideal military family — disciplined, accomplished, and unbreakably close. But years of constant upheaval, rigid expectations, and the quiet threat of violence begin to erode the life they’ve so carefully constructed. As cracks deepen and secrets take root, each member of the family carries their own version of the truth — until the unexpected curiosity of a grandchild forces them to confront the past and reckon with what they’ve become.

An Air Force brat who landed on the civilian faculty

of the U.S. Naval Academy, Molly Best Tinsley taught literature and creative writing before the publication of her first novel “My Life with Darwin” prompted her to head west and write full-time. With a prize-winning collection of stories, a pair of spy thrillers and a literary mystery behind her, she began tinkering with the pieces of “A Modest Trumpet Fanfare,” the novel she’d been preparing to write all along.

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

“Unfortunately, when people find a dead or dying bat, they may pick it up with their hands because they want to help it, or maybe they’re just curious,” DeBess said. “When a bat or other wild animal is sick or dying with rabies, there’s an increased chance they will bite or transmit the virus in other ways.”

Colin Gillin, DVM, ODFW state wildlife veterinarian, agrees that bats and other wildlife rarely bite people but may do so if they are sick or feel threatened. Oregon bats, in particular,

See RABIES on page 18

Obituary

Ann

May

Ann Marie (Meade) Barri was born on May 16, 1963, and passed away peacefully on July 26, 2026, surrounded by her immediate family at St. Charles Hospital in Bend, Oregon. She was 63 years old.

Ann was born in Prineville, Oregon, to Murray and Mary Jo Meade. She grew up with two brothers and one sister and attended schools in Madras, Oregon, before continuing her education at Oregon State University.

During high school, Ann excelled in volleyball, basketball, and tennis. She was recognized as an All-State athlete in all three sports, a remarkable accomplishment that reflected her natural talent, determination, and competitive spirit.

On July 6, 1996, Ann married James “Jim” Barri in Sunriver, Oregon. That same year, she retired from Bank of America after a successful career, serving as a Senior Vice President.

In November 1997, Ann and Jim relocated to Birmingham, Alabama, where Jim pursued an opportunity in bank leadership. In 2011, they retired to Sandestin, Florida, and later moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, in 2020.

Although they enjoyed life in Florida and Arizona, Ann always treasured her Oregon roots. In 2011, they purchased a home near her family at Black Butte Ranch, where they spent their summers surrounded by friends, family, and the beauty of Central Oregon. Many of those summer days were spent on the golf course, where Ann loved sharing time with those closest to her.

Sports remained one of Ann’s greatest passions throughout her life. A gifted athlete and fierce competitor, she spent more than 15 years competing at a high level in women’s and mixed doubles tennis. Whether on the tennis court, golf course, or cheering from the sidelines, Ann’s enthusiasm for sports was contagious.

Ann was also a devoted San Francisco 49ers fan. As season ticket holders for 33 years, she and Jim rarely missed the opportunity to cheer on their team in person. She was equally competitive in Fantasy Football, where she remained loyal to the 49ers by always drafting their players whenever possible. Her team,

“Shan-the-Man,” was named in honor of the team’s head coach.

Ann loved the communities she called home and generously gave her time, talents, and financial support to numerous nonprofit organizations. Among her many volunteer efforts, she managed one of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation’s benefit golf tournaments in Sandestin, Florida.

Above all, Ann cherished her family. She is survived by her loving husband of 30 years, Jim Barri; her daughter, Jessica Fackrell, and husband Alex Fackrell; her three beloved grandchildren, Braxton, Rylee, and Payton; her stepson, Kevin Barri, and his wife, Rachelle Barri; and their three sons, Kory, Chase, and Cole. She is also survived by her 94-yearold father, Murray Meade, and his wife, Kathy; her brothers, Paul Meade and his wife, Maile, and Tom Meade; her sister, Theresa Thompson; and many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.

Ann was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Jo Meade.

Ann loved the United States of America and was deeply proud to be an American.

She was a faithful member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Scottsdale, Arizona, and also attended St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church in Sisters, Oregon.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Community Center at Black Butte Ranch. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend, share memories, and celebrate Ann’s life. Lunch will be served.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church in Sisters, Oregon, in Ann’s memory.

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8-26 & 9-2 (DEADLINE 8-14)

Student of the Month 10-7 (DEADLINE 9-25) At Your Service 10-14 & 10-21 (DEADLINE 9-25)

Spirit of Central Oregon – Fall 10-28 (DEADLINE 9-4)

Partners in Giving 11-4 (DEADLINE 10-9)

Holiday Gift Directory 11-11 through 12-16 (DEADLINE 10-30) “Happy Thanksgiving” 11-18 (DEADLINE 11-13)

Holidays in Sisters Country 11-25 through 12-9 (DEADLINE 11-6)

CUSTOM PACKAGES MADE JUST FOR YOU...

COMM UN IT Y A NNOU NCEM EN TS

New Sisters 4-H Club

e Cascade C ow pokes, a new

Si sters-ba sed 4 -H c lub, just pa rt ic ipated i n t he Deschutes

Count y Fai r a nd t he c lub i s

old g irl w it h lot s of ene rg y and i s e xcited to nd someone w ho c a n g ive her a n outlet . S he’l l enjoy l ea rning ne w t rick s a nd goi ng for wa lk s w it h her adopter. Keep i n m ind t hat she’s s

— SPONSORED BY —

SIST ER S COMM UN IT Y FOOD

RE SOURCE S

grow ing! e y a re e xcited to welcome new membe rs . Watch for t hei r September k ic ko

meet ing. For i nfo. contact

Club L eader Cind y Crowder ccro wder 6789@g ma il .com

Snow flake Boutique

Craf t- Consig nors Wa nted

Qu al it y c ra consig nors

wa nte d for t he 50t h Snow a ke

Bout ique, November 6 & 7, 2 026 . Nex t jur y w il l be Satu rd ay, A ug ust 8 , sta rting at 9:3 0 a .m. , at t he R ed mond

Senior Center. A dd it iona l jur ies wi l l be held t hroug h October.

In fo: www.snow a kebout ique org or c al l Jul ie, 5 03 -3 02 -4 427, or Pa i, 5 03 -798 -210 9.

Interpretive Wa lk s:

Su mmer 2026

Free Sat urday mor ning w alks o ered by F riends of t he

Metolius . K id s a re welcome, but please no dogs . Wea r stu rdy footwea r a nd bring w ater

Augu st 8, 8:30 to 10 :3 0 a.m. Bi rd and Wi ld li fe

Wa lk Along the Metolius . Joi n Sisters R anger d istr ic t wi ld life biologi st L i z Day to look a nd l isten for bird s a nd ot her w ildlife s pecie s t hat c al l the Metol iu s home. Watc h for woodpeckers, song b irds , w ater bi rd s a nd others w hile e x plor ing the w ay s i n w hic h t hey l ive i n thi s r iverside h abit at Leader: Li z Day. For in form at ion, ca ll 971-718-2505

Craf t & Connec t at Pi ne Meadow Ra nch Center for Ar ts & Agricu lt ure u rsday, A ug us t 6 , f rom 3 to 5 p.m . at PMRCA A . Bring a ny sm al l projec t a nd m ater ia ls you need to work a longside commun it y member s a nd enjoy conversa tion w it h fel low arti sts . 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.

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 x periences, sto ries , 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 40).

Fi rst Fr id ay Fa mi ly Fun

Bi ngo Night Post poned

Fi rst Friday Famil y Fu n Bingo

Night h a s been pos tponed unti l September due to the A kaw a Bu e Fire . O ur thought s a nd prayer s a re w it h the brave re g hter s a nd ever yone w ho ha s been forced to e vacu ate t hei r homes . Event i s reschedule for S eptember 4, w it h proceed s s upporting CORE —Com mu nit y O ut reac h

A ccessible Trails Team Training

Si sters Tra il s A ll ia nce w il l t ra in ne wvolunteers for t hei r “ Trai ls for A ll ” projec t on A ug ust 6 & 7, 9 a .m . - 3:3 0 p.m . at t he Sisters

Elementa r y School . A end one or bot h d ay s to lea r n how to a ssess t ra il s for a dapt ive recreation Traini ng w il l include morning s i n t he c lass room a nd a er lunc h pract ice on nea rby trai ls . Contac t steph an ie@ sisterst ra il s.org for more in form at ion.

Cent ra l Oregon Federated Republ ican Women

Fi rst u rsday eac h mont h at

As pen L ake s G ol f Cou rse i n

Si sters , 11 a .m . to 1:3 0 p.m

Lu nc heon i s $27. R SV P to cofr wbend@gm ail.com.

Website: www.cof rw.org

An nounce Your Celebrat ions!

Bi rth, eng agement, weddi ng , and m ilestone a nn iversa ry notice s f rom t he Sisters commun it y m ay r u n at no ch arge on

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

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.

Black Butte School Board of Di rectors Work Session

Mond ay, A ug ust 10, 10 a .m. , at the Hou se of t he Metol iu s . 5 41595- 62 03 . See schedule at www bl ac kbu e .k 12 .or.us

Notice of Elec tion for Sisters City Counci l

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 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 material s by A ug ust 4, 2 026. Al l l ing requi rement s for incu mbents must be c ompleted by 5 p.m . on A ug ust 18 , 2 026, and ne w ca nd id ates by 5 p. m. on Augu st 2 5 , 2 026 . For quest ions about the process, ema il Mon ic a Bu rmei ster at mbu rmei ster@ ci.sisters .or.us , or stop by Cit y Ha l l at 52 0 E . Cascade Ave

Resource s a nd E mergency. We si ncerely hope you w il l joi n u s t hen . Stay strong a nd safe, Si ster R esidents . e Epi scopa l Churc h of Tra ns gu ration, 541-549-70 87

Su mmer Concer t Series at Sisters Commun it y Church Satu rd ay, A ug ust 15 , at Si sters Com mu nit y C hu rc h, 13 0 0 McK en zie Hwy. L ine da nc ing lesson s at 5 p.m., then enjoy J e Miller B and at 6 p.m . Food t ruck s ava il able Donation s s uppor t COR E . For in form at ion go to s isterschurch com/event s or ema i l i nfo@ sistersc hu rc h.com.

10 0+ Women Who Ca reSisters Update Recent re s forced t he ca ncel lation of t he July 2 3 meet ing of 100 + Women Who Care- Si sters . Member donation s tot aling $2, 80 0 received i n adv ance of t he ca ncel led meeting h ave been forw arded to t he Oregon Volu nteer Fire g hter s As soci at ion . 100 +W WC .Sisters wi l l hold it s nex t qua rterly meet ing on u rsday, Oct . 2 2, when t hree loc a l nonpro t s wi l l present i nfor mation about thei r work . New members are welcome; t here i s no membersh ip fee. For more in form at ion on how to a end a meeti ng , joi n t he g roup, or nomi nate a nonpro t , ema il 10 0w wc .Sisters@g ma il .com or ca ll/tex t 5 41-912 -0 75 0. Mont hly Song wr iters’ Sharing Ci rcle Second Wed ne sd ay of t he month (A ug us t 12), 6 to 8 p.m. , at e Hub, 291 E . M ai n Ave B e i n creati ve c om mu nit y a nd be in spired w hile sha ring son gs , being a g reat l is tener, a nd prov id ing feedback . A l l age s a nd sk il l levels welcome . Fre e. In fo: c al l or tex t Jes s at 541- 97 7- 84 94

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

SIST ER S- AR EA CH UR CH ES

SISTERS-AREA Events & Enter tainment

WEDNESDAY • AUGUST 5

The Suttle Lodge Live Music: Wolfhouse Records Dirty Jazz 6 to 8 p.m. Free Info: www thesuttlelodge.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 • AUGUST 6

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

Paulina Springs Books Author Event: Jenn Donahue presents "Becoming the Warrior: Harnessing Your Inner Strength to Silence Self-Doubt." The framework is designed to move those who feel stuck and afraid to feeling equipped to take action. 6:30 p.m. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Tristan Marshall 6 to 8 p.m. No cover! Upstairs at 250 W. Cascade Ave. The Suttle Lodge Live Music: Skillethead 6 to 8 p.m. "Big Lawn Series," Free; all ages

FRIDAY • AUGUST 7

Lazy Z Ranch Wines Live Music: Erin Cole-Baker 6 to 8 p.m. Sisters Folk Festival Breedlove artist in 2018 No cover. Info: www.lazyzranch.com/events.

Eurosports Food Cart Garden Music: Five Pint

Mar y 5 to 7 p.m. Free Family- and dog-friendly Info: 541-549-2471

Sisters Art Works Live Music:"Hometown Hang" featuring Never Come Down with Skybound Blue 6 p.m. A free community concert, with opportunity to connect with 10 local nonprofits Info: www.sffpresents.org/concerts.

Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Singer Songwriter Series featuring Rick Moore, Bill Powers, and Tamra Jean 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets and more information: www.frankiesinsisters.com/our-events/.

Hardtails Music: DJ Chris Ossig 8 to 10 p .m., doors at 7, in The Yard Low-back lawn chairs welcome Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft 5 p.m. $20 paulinaspringsbooks.com.

SATURDAY • AUGUST 8

Hardtails Live Music: Chained to Stone, 6 to 9 p.m. in The Yard Low-back lawn chairs welcome Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Scott Foxx 6 to 8 p.m. $10. Tickets and info: frankiesinsisters.com.

Roots and Rails Flower Farm & Lazy Z Ranch Wines: U-Pick Flowers & Arranging Workshop 9:30 a.m. to noon. A private guided U-pick flower experience, followed by mead tasting charcuterie and a casual flower arranging workshop $150 Info: www.lazyzranch.com/support.

Lazy Z Ranch Wines Meet the Meadmaker: Facility Tour 2 to 3 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.

Paulina Springs Books Storytime with author April Genevieve Tucholke a picture book author who has lived all over the world and now calls Bend home 10 to 11 a.m. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

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

SUNDAY • AUGUST 9

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 • AUGUST 13

Lazy Z Ranch Wines Live Music: Dumpster Joe 6 to 8 p.m. Portland-based duo play jazz, country blues, and jugband tunes on res-o-phonic guitar and cello No cover. Info: www.lazyzranch.com/events.

Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Grits 'N Gravy 6 to 8 p.m. $8 Tickets and info: frankiesinsisters.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

The Suttle Lodge Live Music: Silvertone Devils 6 to 8 p.m. "Big Lawn Series," Free; all ages

FRIDAY • AUGUST 14

The Barn Live Music: Vibe Shiftas 6 to 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage. Info: www thebarninsisters.com.

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

Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Tony Lompa 6 to 8 p.m. No cover! Courtyard at 250 W. Cascade Ave.

Hardtails Outlaw Countr y Dive Bar & Grill Karaoke 9 p.m. Information call 541-549-6114. Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft 5 p.m. $20 paulinaspringsbooks.com.

SATURDAY • AUGUST 15

Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture "Cattail Hats Workshop" Discover the craft of weaving using cattails. In this hands-on, two-day workshop, Aug 15-16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., participants weave wild-harvested cattail leaves into a beautiful, functional hat. $230 Registration and more info: roundhousefoundation.org/events.

Lazy Z Ranch Wines World Honey Bee Day with live music by Lickety Split 6 to 8 p.m. Celebrate the bees who make our honey with educational activities and honey-based drinks for kids and adults. Noon to 9 p.m. No cover. Info: www.lazyzranch.com/events.

The Barn Live Music: Eric Leadbetter 6 to 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage. Info: www thebarninsisters.com.

Hardtails Live Music: Cover City brings timeless hits. 7:30 to 10 p .m. in The Yard; low back chairs welcomed. Accepting donations at the door for Operation Get Nikki Back on Her Feet” plus fundraiser silent auction 5 to 6 p.m. 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

WEDNESDAY • AUGUST 19

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 • AUGUST 20

Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture Lecture: "Adaptation: Wildfires and Agricultural Systems" Presenters Rika Ayotte and John Selker will share insights from their work with Deschutes Land Trust and OPEnS Lab Together they will explore the impacts of wildfires and innovative approaches to understanding agricultural systems through environmental sensing and community-based research. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Free to attend. Registration is required at https:// roundhousefoundation.org/events/. For more info call 541-9040700 or email inquiries@roundhousefoundation.org.

Frankie's in Sisters Open Mic Music lovers can enjoy a variety of local talent, 6 to 8 p.m. Sign ups, 5:30 No cover; outside in the courtyard Info: frankiesinsisters.com.

Paulina Springs Books Author Event: Yossi Feintuch presents “Taming the Beast: Human-Animal Encounters in the Bible," 6:30 p.m. Feintuch is a rabbi, and has a Ph.D in U.S. History Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

The Suttle Lodge Live Music: Use'ta Do 6 to 8 p.m. "Big Lawn Series," Free; all ages 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 • AUGUST 21

The Barn Live Music: Old Growth 6 to 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage. Info: www thebarninsisters.com. Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Tony Lompa 6 to 8 p.m. No cover! Courtyard at 250 W. Cascade Ave. Hardtails Outlaw Countr y Dive Bar & Grill Karaoke 9 p.m. Information call 541-549-6114. Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft 5 p.m. $20 paulinaspringsbooks.com. Lazy Z Ranch Wines Live Music: Evan Mullins 6 to 8 p.m. Bend-based keyboardist and vocalist. No cover. Info: www.lazyzranch.com/events.

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

SATURDAY • AUGUST 22

Village Green Park Luau Hawaiian dinner with island music Sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Sisters, benefitting Sisters School District elementary swing sets 5 to 7:30 p.m. $25/adults, $10/kid 6–12. Tickets: www.sisterskiwanis.org/luau. Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Bob Baker and Mark Barringer 6 to 8 p.m. $10. Tickets and more information: www.frankiesinsisters.com/our-events/.

Hardtails Live Music: Pendleton Highway 7 to 10 p .m. in The Yard $10 cover; low-back chairs OK. The Barn Live Music: Larkspur Stand 6 to 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage. Info: www thebarninsisters.com.

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

Sisters Saloon Live Music: Jazz Folks 6 to 8 p.m. on the patio Free and open to all ages Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Language Gathering 4 to 6 p.m. Practice, listen to, or converse in another language! Italian, French, Spanish speakers planning to attend, and all languages welcome for friendly conversation at this free community event. Hosted by Bend Language Institute. Info: bendlanguageinstitute@gmail.com or 541-728-3022. 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 • AUGUST 10

The Suttle Lodge Live Music: Dive Bar Theology 6 to 8 p.m. "Big Lawn Series," Free; all ages

TUESDAY • AUGUST 11

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

WEDNESDAY • AUGUST 12

Paulina Springs Books Author Event-: Molly Tinsley presents “A Modest Trumpet Fanfare,” the story of a family defined by duty and undone by truth. 6:30 p.m. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

Sisters Community Church Live Music: Jeff Miller and the Congregation on the lawn at 1300 Old McKenzie Hwy Doors at 5:30 p.m., concert 6 to 8 p.m. Free with donations welcomed to support CORE. All are welcome for an evening of music, dancing, and fellowship Info: sisterschurch.com/events.

SUNDAY • AUGUST 16

Sisters Saloon Live Music: Double Wide 6 to 8 p.m. on the patio Free and open to all ages Fir Street Park Sisters Farmers Market 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 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 • AUGUST 17

The Suttle Lodge Live Music: Forest Ray 6 to 8 p.m. "Big Lawn Series," Free; all ages

TUESDAY • AUGUST 18

Paulina Springs Books Author Event: Jimmy McDonough presents Gary Stewart: I Am From The Honky Tonks" 6:30 p.m. Detroit garage rock heroine

Margaret Doll Rod will deliver Gary Stewart songs at the event. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

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 "Pattern Printing with Mordants and Overdyeing" a two-day, hands-on workshop Aug 22–23 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., exploring natural dye pattern printing with mordants. Participants explore layering resist techniques, and overdyeing leaving with samples, a finished piece, and the skills to continue natural dye printing $260 Registration and more info: roundhousefoundation.org/events.

SUNDAY • AUGUST 23

Sisters Saloon Live Music: Thomas T and the Blue Chips 6 to 8 p.m. on the patio Free and open to all. 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 • AUGUST 24

The Suttle Lodge Live Music: Megan Diana 6 to 8 p.m. "Big Lawn Series," Free; all ages

TUESDAY • AUGUST 25

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

WEDNESDAY • AUGUST 26

Paulina Springs Books Author reading: Alisha Hamel presents “When Duty Called: An Oral History of Oregon's World War II Veterans," 6:30 p.m. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

Salmon return home to Metolius River

By Maret Pajutee | Correspondent

In a scenic mountain valley, a very old story echoes in the splash of water on stone and the scent of cool alder leaves. There was an epic journey by legendary fish in wild rivers and the vast sea. Then a quiet pause for 50 years. But this summer a new chapter is being told about the ocean-going, anadromous fish that once came and went from our rivers.

In the 1960s, the journey of thousands of salmon and steelhead on their way to the ocean and back was interrupted by the installation of a three-dam complex on the Deschutes River to generate power. Despite fish ladders for adults heading upstream, the little smolts got lost in the lake on their way downstream and the runs were gone by 1968 (see related story, page 13).

The exciting news this summer is that after 20 years of a reintroduction effort begun by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (CTWS) and Portland General Electric

(PGE), many Deschutes Basin Chinook salmon are returning from the sea. This is a grand experiment and momentum is growing. Fish are returning to the Deschutes in such numbers that some are getting picked for a quick ride upriver to the Metolius River, to swim free in those cold waters once again, reproduce, and die.

The CTWS and PGE are co-owners of the three-dam hydroelectric complex called the Pelton Round Butte Project. Since Memorial Day, they have released over 200 spring Chinook adults into the Metolius near Camp Sherman. Fish travel from the hatchery near Madras in a tanker truck and are netted and released to quiet pools where they quickly disappear in swirls of dark water. This gives the fish a shortcut around the dams, in what one biologist called “assisted migration”, with hopes of boosting the restoration of the ancient runs.

The Pelton Round Butte Project was built in stages. Pelton Dam was built in 1958. The Reregulating Dam, to smooth fluctuations in water releases from the power generation, was completed shortly after Pelton. The 440-foot-high Round Butte Dam was finished in 1964 and created Lake Billy Chinook reservoir, backing water up the Deschutes River, Crooked River, and Metolius River canyons. When the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued PGE and CTWS a new 50-year operating license for the dams on

June 16, 2005, there was a pledge to restore the iconic fish runs. The Fish Passage Plan relied on collecting both smolts on their way to the sea, as well as adults returning from the sea, and passing them around the dams. In concert with passage work, millions of dollars of habitat restoration and fish barrier removal was also done to prepare rivers and creeks for the return.

Fish movements in the Deschutes Basin are complex. The three rivers that create Lake Billy Chinook have very different temperature regimes and nutrients. Fish may travel up more than one river. This requires a variety of strategies and adapting management as needed to reach the goal of self-sustaining and harvestable fish runs. Many people who have been involved since the start counsel that patience is required.

A centerpiece to facilitate fish passage at the dams is the Selective Water Withdrawal tower at Round Butte Dam, completed in 2010. The tower creates currents that attract young fish (both salmon and

steelhead) to a collection facility. Managers learned smolts liked to travel in the dark and started night operations to create current to help them along. The fish are then transported downstream past the dams. A part of the old fish ladder is used to rear spring Chinook fingerlings to smolt size from November to April/ May before they are released into the lower Deschutes River at the Reregulating Dam. According to PGE Spokesman John Farmer, the Chinook adults being placed in the Metolius are of two kinds: 1) Smolts that were acclimated to local waters in large tanks in the upper watersheds, or 2) Smolts that were released to travel downstream from the Hatchery without acclimation or time in the upper river. Managers keep track of the returns and tell these fish apart by a series of different clips on fins and mouth parts. They hypothesize the acclimation of smolts to their local waters may be important. But monitoring and adjusting the plan with new information is crucial.

The newly arrived Metolius Chinook are hard to see. They undergo coloration changes as they move from salty ocean water into fresh river water. They start out shiny and silvery from the ocean. As they travel up the river, they turn to an olive or bronze body, with winecolored hues along the sides, a dark olive to nearly black head and back, and black gums.

If you are lucky enough to see one of these cryptic miracles, please do not harass or disturb them. Summer can be stressful enough. Additional handling or harassment can reduce the energy reserves they need for spawning, and contribute to fish dying before they can successfully reproduce.

Now that the salmon we dreamed of are swimming free in the river, what’s next? Farmer concludes, “In a watershed as unique as the

upper Deschutes, rebuilding these populations is a long-term effort that can take decades. Seeing adult fish return is an important sign of progress, but the true measure of success is a complete life cycle— from spawning and fry emergence to smolt migration and the eventual return of those fish as adults. Each stage helps demonstrate that restoration efforts are moving in the right direction. These adult spring Chinook have reached the final stage of their life cycle, and their legacy is the next generation of fish. As eggs hatch and fry begin to grow, the goal is for enough young fish to survive, migrate downstream, and eventually return as adults to spawn in the basin once again.”

Next time you’re at the Metolius keep an eye out for a large dark shape gliding through the water. They’re back...

River interrupted: salmon and the Metolius

By Maret Pajutee Correspondent

The Metolius River is believed to owe its Native American name to the Spring Chinook salmon which once spawned and died there in such numbers to earn it the moniker “Stinking Water.” For thousands of years tribes of the region came to the Metolius to fish, hunt, gather, and honor their spiritual relationship with the river.

Small salmon called smolts made an epic journey of about 500 miles from the spring-fed Metolius where they were born, to the Deschutes, down the Columbia, to the Pacific Ocean. They spent a couple of years there, feeding and growing. Then overcome by some mysterious impulse they headed back again towards the Metolius River’s icy waters, arriving in May and June to spawn and restart the cycle of life.

Historical accounts tell of abundant salmon in the Metolius River. In the winter of 1843, Native American guides told John C. Fremont the Metolius was “salmon water” as the explorer admired fish traps. In 1855, Army Engineers Henry L. Abbot and Robert S. Williamson bought a 25-pound salmon speared by native fisherman using detachable iron spearheads tethered to 8-foot poles.

The huge runs of these migratory salmon and steelhead were part of nature’s gift to the Columbia River Basin where some studies estimate 10

to 16 million adult fish returned annually to spawn before Euro-American settlement in the mid 1800s. With that settlement came new industries, fishing fleets, traps, and salmon canneries on the Columbia. The first cannery was built in 1866 and by the 1880s there were 30-50 canneries lining the lower Columbia and its tributaries. There were so many salmon, few believed they could ever disappear.

However, the harvest was intensive, and salmon runs began to decline as early as the 1870s. Habitat loss added to the problem. Some people were worried the runs would collapse which led to talk of a scientific solution, hatcheries, to artificially propagate fish by collecting eggs, fertilizing them, and releasing millions of small fish to replace those harvested. Like many things, it was a compromise to maintain and offset the impacts of the successful fishing and canning industries while conserving fish populations. The first hatcheries on the Columbia were built in 1878 and by the 1890s millions of young Chinook salmon were being released to replace those harvested.

Meanwhile, business interests in Portland were drawn to the agricultural potential of Central Oregon and its benefits to shipping, banks, and commerce in the Portland hub. In 1912, the Portland Chamber of Commerce asked the federal government to fund a study

CAMPSITES:

in Sisters. SCLI (Sisters Community Leadership Initiative) works to decrease rubbish and abandoned vehicles, minimize harm to the forest, and increase health and hygiene for unsheltered people living temporarily on the Deschutes National Forest Sisters Ranger District.

CAMP (Companion Animal Medical Project) is a Bend-based advocacy group. According to a person at the meeting, Benson told the group that his role is to focus on resource stewardship, and attend to violations that impact the natural environment, explaining that Deschutes County Sheriff Deputies handle peoplerelated crimes such as theft, assault, and illicit drugs.

Much of the emphasis of the Forest Service in recent years has been in campers overstaying the 14-day rule. Benson is reportedly emphasizing addressing those residing in the forest and resource destruction — more serious violations.

There’s no single federal statute declaring National Forests off-limits to permanent residents. Instead, long-term habitation is effectively barred through a web of Forest Service regulations, camping limits, permit requirements, and local forest orders.

The core rule is 36 CFR § 261.10(b), which prohibits constructing, occupying, or maintaining a residence on

National Forest System land without a special-use permit. Signs that someone has crossed from camping into “residing” include staying in one spot for extended periods, building structures like sheds or decks, installing utilities, receiving mail on site, or leaving personal property indefinitely.

Special-use permits do exist, but they’re narrowly granted for things like ski areas, summer homes, or outfitter camps; not for private individuals seeking to live permanently on public land. Violations of these rules can bring citations, fines, forced removal, or misdemeanor charges, and enforcement often overlaps with public health and environmental concerns like sewage, garbage, and wildfire risk.

Living in an RV or van isn’t automatically illegal. It becomes a problem only when a vehicle functions as a fixed home rather than moving between camping stints.

The underlying rationale ties to the Forest Service’s “multiple use” mandate: Congress designed these lands for recreation, timber, grazing, and habitat, not private settlement, so occupancy is regulated rather than flatly banned.

The problem, citizens say, is not so much the Forest Service not taking action as it is the courts largely giving a pass to offenders.

A citation under 36 CFR § 261.10(b) is a federal petty offense processed through the Central Violations Bureau, not state court. A Forest Service officer issues a Violation Notice, sometimes paired with an order to vacate

or remove structures.

Depending on the local district’s collateral schedule, the defendant may pay a scheduled collateral amount to resolve the matter, or may need to appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge if the offense mandates appearance or the citation is contested.

At an initial appearance, the defendant is advised of rights and enters a plea. If pleading not guilty, a bench trial follows before the magistrate judge — there’s no jury trial right for petty offenses — and the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Penalties under 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR Part 261 can include fines, up to six months imprisonment, or both, though first-time unauthorized-occupancy cases are often resolved through fines, compliance orders, or dismissal once the site is vacated.

Forest campsites appear to be growing more concentrated. Many have been living in the forest for extended periods.

There is no magistrate court in Deschutes County. Instead, a magistrate judge from Portland comes to Bend every two months to handle the complaints. According to the court’s clerk, in nearly every case, with rare exception, the judge attempts to create a plan for the offender to make amends, with the goal of vacating the forest

and moving into transitional or permanent housing. Offenders appear to be aware that there will be few if any tangible consequences for neglecting the citation in the first place, or not taking the magistrate’s orders seriously — and thus the public’s trust in the administration of justice and protection of the forest is eroded.

Continued from page 5

But a foundation is only a beginning. If every workout looks identical, even a good one, the body adapts to that exact demand and then stops changing in response to it. That’s why athletes deliberately add short bursts of much higher intensity, intervals that push the heart and lungs past what feels comfortable, and just as deliberately schedule real recovery. Not the absence of training, but the window in which the adaptation actually takes hold. The body grows through contrast: stress paired with restoration, chosen on purpose rather than left to chance.

I’ve come to think our lives may run on similar biology.

Consider the person whose plan has sat unchanged for a decade. Their life usually isn’t lazy. It’s full: work, family, the daily machinery of keeping things running. Nothing looks obviously wrong from the outside. But nothing new is being asked of them either. No uncomfortable conversation, no leap that might fail, no real season of rest. Just enough effort to maintain what already exists, at the same intensity, indefinitely.

The body is remarkably efficient this way. Once it learns that today’s demands look exactly like yesterday’s, it stops spending energy becoming something new, because adaptation is metabolically expensive, and biology waits until it has a genuine reason to pay for it. People may not be so different. If Tuesday keeps looking like last Tuesday, we slowly stop expecting anything different of ourselves, and we mistake maintenance for progress, because both require effort and can feel remarkably similar from the inside.

That may be a more useful diagnostic question than the one medicine typically asks. Not “is anything wrong?” but “am I actually being asked to push, or to recover, right now, and am I doing either one on purpose?” A body doesn’t get stronger by living at either extreme forever. Neither, most likely, does a life. It gets stronger by moving between effort and rest with real intention, often enough that neither one quietly becomes the whole story.

There may be nothing here to diagnose, nothing to medicate, nothing, strictly speaking, to treat. But that isn’t the same as nothing needing to change.

Dr. Siobhan Gray is a physician and owner of PEAKMD in Sisters, focused on healthy aging, metabolism, and what makes a good life. EXERCISE: Both effort and rest are important to the body

LETTERS

Continued from page 2

To the Editor:

s s s

Lost item and thank you

Today I called The Nugget to place a lost item listing. Lost: man’s worn gold wedding ring. 50th anniversary August 7. Sisters, Camp Sherman store or Lower Bridge campground. That brought to mind how much we appreciate the people and businesses that have hired and supported us since 1987.

Hurshel: Black Butte Ranch, Hinterland Llamas, Bend/ Sisters RV.

Carolyn: Redmond High School where Sisters students were attending prior to the construction of Sisters High School, Black Butte Ranch, Stitchin’ Post, and Bend/Sisters RV.

We have been in Central Oregon since 1980. Now at ages 85 and 90, it is heartwarming to know you still care about us and each other.

Carolyn and Hurshel Russell

s s s

Angels all around us

To the Editor:

There are Angels all around us. I have personally seen them, spoke to them, watched them serve others, and witnessed their Hearts in action and their overflowing kindness, caring and generosity. These Angels do not look like what we have seen in paintings, photos, or the Bible. They greeted and welcomed me, my husband, and our three fur babies on Wednesday afternoon, July 22, at the Red Cross Shelter set up inside Sisters High School, after one of the Sisters firefighters personally notified us to initially “Get Set” (Level 2). We immediately packed what we could in our vehicles. Shortly thereafter, he returned to our home and instructed us to “Go Now!” (Level 3).

This scenario was surreal to us and our neighbors. These Angels appeared in red vests and wore lanyards; some wore police and sheriffs uniforms; some were disguised as Pizza Hut employees, Chick-Fil-A employees, Salvation Army members, Starbucks employees, the high school Principal

and staff members, etc. However, all of them carried huge hearts inside them, as well as kindness, service to all, caring, and concern. Hearts for service, indeed.

The Red Cross volunteers worked tirelessly in ensuring that we were cared for 24/7, including providing breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. Suffice it to say that these volunteers were blessed with the patience and understanding of Saints! We were able to return to our home Sunday evening, July 26. We thank God for His goodness, His protection, His endless mercies, and for keeping everyone safe and protected.

Our firefighters will always be our true, real Heroes, and we trust in God to continue to keep them safe, give them strength and courage in the days ahead. Sadly, there still are those who continue to take advantage of the victims of this horrific time. Several people had to park and stay in their motor homes, trailers, vans, cars and trucks in the Sisters High School parking lot simply because when they attempted to rent a hotel or motel room in Redmond and Bend, they were told the cost for a single room night would be $200, $250, $300 and above, and one hotel in Bend had one single room left for one night, which would be $750! We do not understand how some people put greed and profit over human life.

There simply are no words to express our eternal gratitude and appreciation to every person involved and stepping up to help during such uncertainty and sudden interruption of our daily lives. Please keep our heroic firefighters, unsung volunteers, and the generosity of everyone involved, in your daily prayers, and cherish every moment of every day. There are Angels all around us.

Janet Swarts

s s s

KANZIG: Long-time running coach is retiring

Charlie Kanzig is retiring. He’s stepping down both as a coach and as a counselor — a role he returned to after his initial “retirement” a couple of years ago. This time, it’s for real.

“I was going to do one more year coaching, but then my dear wife (Deirdre Kanzig) decided to retire from teaching one year earlier than we had anticipated, which changed the dynamic of our lives together,” Kanzig explained.

The coach leaves a significant legacy.

From the late 1990s to the present, the team has consistently been among the top programs in the 4A and 3A division. The Outlaws put up numerous district titles along with state trophies.

With Kanzig as head coach, the Outlaws girls won nine district titles, as did the boys, along with a number of state trophies for finishing in the top four.

Teams qualified for state nearly every year under Kanzig. In fact, as a coach, Kanzig had either a team or individuals at State every year of his coaching career. It was a tradition to be at the state meet along with other perennial top teams like Philomath, Siuslaw,

Enterprise, Valley Catholic, and Marist.

In 2021, Kanzig returned to the head coaching position, and the boys team shocked everyone with a second-place finish at state after finishing second at district.

“Everyone was on that day,” Kanzig recalled.

“The only thing missing for my career is never winning the state title as a team,” Kanzig reflected. “We came close a number of times with runner-up and thirdplace finishes. I wouldn’t change much about how I coached but I would be lying if I didn’t wish we had won at least one state title in all those years.”

Kanzig acknowledges that he is competitive by nature, and building competitive teams was always a goal. But it was not the only goal. He also sought to bring together all kinds of student athletes to gain the benefits that cross-country provides.

“I always wanted to recruit as many kids as possible,” he said. “Not just the fast ones. Everyone can be a runner.”

He noted that he “had the pleasure of coaching four of my five children.”

He also acknowledged the coaches that worked alongside him as a team: Rima Givot, Dennis Dempsey, Sarah Thorsett, and Josh Nordell, all of whom shared his philosophy.

Givot, who served as an assistant coach with

Kanzig for 17 or 18 years, affirmed the importance of inclusiveness.

“Charlie knows that anybody could be a runner, and saw the value in making a place for every kid,” she said. “He showed me how to keep centered on the really important things at the heart.”

That sense of inclusion had an impact on Jena Rickards Casiean, who ran under the coaching of Kanzig and Givot in 2004-08. She has done a lot of coaching herself, and the Outlaws ethic stuck with her.

“They empowered every single person to be a leader and leave a legacy,” she said. “There’s a reason that you’re on this team, and you have something to offer. The way you’re going to influence this team is how you lead. Every single opportunity is a leadership opportunity. You can never mess up — it’s all learning. How are you going to do it next time?”

Brad Tisdel, whose son Spencer was a standout Outlaws cross country athlete, saw the impact

[Kanzig] really shaped a lot of kids in a positive direction in high school.

— Rima Givot

of Kanzig’s coaching well beyond the course.

“He just has this sense of lifelong learning through the sport of cross country, which is really powerful,” Tisdel said. Athletes learned “it’s OK to do hard things, and you learn a lot from doing them.”

“I’ve always said that training as a distance runner takes the edges off people and everyone ends up becoming a better human being,” Kanzig said. “More patient, more tolerant. More supportive of one another — sort of magic.”

Kanzig’s teams enjoyed adventures around cross country that left memorable impressions.

“Charlie was willing to be spontaneous,” Givot recalled. “He was always game to different adventures to keep the team engaged and adventurous.”

Sometimes that engagement came from simply making a stop at a produce stand on a road trip into the Valley. Other times, it was organized, like participating in the Hood-to-Coast Relay, or a preseason team-bonding trek along the McKenzie River trail that mixed running, rafting, and time around a campfire.

Kanzig recalled those trips fondly:

“Just being out on that beautiful trail with the goal

It was so nostalgic! This is where I fell in love with running — right here. — Jena Rickards Casiean

of running the whole thing… and then being together on a raft on that beautiful river and having camp time in the evening… it was just sweet.”

That adventure stayed with Rickards Casiean. She ran the McKenzie River 50k last June.

“It was so nostalgic!” she said. “This is where I fell in love with running — right here.”

Kanzig is one of the longest-serving coaches in any sport in Oregon, and is well known in the field. Tisdel notes that if you go to an event at the storied Hayward Field at the University of Oregon, people know who Charlie Kanzig is.

The coach made his mark — but the most important impact is not measurable in trophies and placements.

As Givot noted, Kanzig’s program “really shaped a lot of kids in a positive direction in high school.”

Kanzig plans to stay in Sisters and enjoy life with Deirdre. He also plans to do a little more freelance writing for The Nugget.

Nugget Poetry Corner

ByBethEckert

What say you?

ByGabrielleBöhme

When...

Our Pillar s cr umble. Our Grid is crippled. What, No Inter net? No w ater to drink, to bathe, To soothe our wear y bodies

All the animals have fled Clear ly knowing what was ahead! Our air is poisoned; food is scarce. Str eets ar e

Is this the Abyss?

What say you?

of irrigation opportunities in the Deschutes Basin. U.S. Geological Survey engineers reportedly walked much of the Deschutes canyon from the Columbia River to Bend, as well as the tributaries, to identify possible dam sites where water could be stored for irrigation, to reclaim the arid west.

The resulting 1914 study by Fred F. Henshaw et al. identified 14 possible dam sites on the Deschutes and four sites on the Metolius.

During the 1920s-40s optimism on the potential of irrigation faded while conflicts developed over the future of agriculture, hydropower, and fisheries. Bonneville Dam, completed in 1938, was starting to affect the runs, although it had a fish ladder. Hatcheries to offset the declining runs on the Metolius were built on Spring Creek, a tributary of the Metolius, and later at Wizard Falls in 1947. But the runs continued to decline. In 1951, 765 spawning Chinook were seen. In 1953 there were 512.

The Pelton site on the Deschutes was proposed for a hydro dam in the late 1940s and was licensed in 1951. A legal challenge from the State of Oregon argued the dam would block salmon and steelhead from their spawning areas. The fight reached the Supreme Court and Oregon lost. The Pelton Dam was completed in 1958. To generate more power, Round Butte Dam was built in 1964, and the Reregulating Dam shortly after.

There was a mitigation plan to provide fish passage. A 2.8-mile fish ladder brought adult fish from below the Reregulating Dam, past Pelton Dam, up to Lake Simtustus. At the time it was built, it had the honor of being the longest fish ladder in the world. There was also a fish tram, an aerial lift, to move adult salmon over Round Butte Dam, which

was too high to have a ladder. There were collection facilities for young fish as they headed downstream.

But the story of what happened next is NOT like the kid’s joke, “What did the fish say when he hit the wall? Dam!” The ladders and trams for the adult fish headed upstream from the ocean worked to some degree. It was the young salmon that found trouble. Smolts got lost in layers of cold and warm water from the three river tributaries. They were trapped in the quiet lake behind the dam without a helpful current to ride to the collection area for passage to the sea. By the late 1960s the runs of chinook and sockeye salmon and steelhead were gone from the Upper Deschutes Basin. The last spawning Chinook in the Metolius River was recorded in 1967. The mitigation program ended in 1968, and the fish ladder and other facilities were mothballed.

But many people still dreamed that the salmon and steelhead runs on the Deschutes, Metolius, and Whychus would return someday. Technology, social will, and momentum grew during the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission relicensing of the three dams. In an extraordinary collaborative effort over a decade, the co-owners, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and Portland General Electric, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and many partners agreed to a new plan for fish reintroduction in 2004. Successful passage downstream resumed in 2010, after more than 40 years.

The Metolius River provides most of the spring Chinook salmon habitat in the upper Deschutes River Basin. This summer adult Chinook are being released near Camp Sherman to turbo charge the reintroduction process. Keep an eye out for these iconic fish, who have survived, despite challenges, false hopes, and our technological hubris. May future generations be able to witness the end of their journey between river, sea, and home.

BASE CAMP: Rodeo Grounds is vital firefighting resource

Continued from page 1

all parties sign off on a use agreement.

“As soon as I had that document signed, literally, there were trucks pulling through the gate,” Greig said.

In a week, the Akawa Butte Fire was a 27,000acre inferno, the No. 1 priority fire in the nation, and some 1,500 personnel and countless firefighting and transport vehicles were

staging out of Sisters Rodeo Grounds. Some fire crews will likely remain there for another week from press time.

A bull futurity event scheduled for the Rodeo Grounds was called off and rescheduled for September. Greig said everyone involved understood the imperative to turn the area over to the incident command.

Oregon Department of Forestry is compensating Sisters Rodeo for the use of its facilities.

“It’s a pretty nominal fee, honestly,” Greig said. “We don’t try to get rich off of it, by any means. A lot of it

is just going in and cleaning up. You have 1,500 bodies in there for three weeks, the grounds are pretty beat up.”

Greig noted that ODF greatly appreciates the hospitality and the quality of the facilities.

“The feedback from ODF is, for what it’s worth, that this is their favorite fire camp,” Greig said.

For Greig and the Sisters Rodeo Association, hosting the incident command on a local fire is an important way to contribute to the safety and well-being of Sisters.

“We want to be good stewards for the community,” he said.

Riding above the fire...

PHOTO BY NATE LICHVARCIK

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.

RABIES: Do not handle a bat, and report any exposure immediately

Continued from page 8

eat only insects — about 1,000 insects every hour — and avoid people.

“Bats provide important ecosystem services in Oregon, but also globally with insect control, seed dispersal, and pollination of specific plants, supporting agriculture and forest systems,” Gillin said. “And like many animals that can carry disease, bats can also prevent or suppress disease by reducing mosquitoes and other vectors that carry human and animal pathogens.”

What to do if you find a bat

Bats are protected wildlife, which makes it illegal to harm or keep them. If you see a bat that appears to be sick:

• Stay calm, do not touch it, and keep people and pets away.

• When the sick or dead bat is indoors, do not release the bat. It may have exposed someone or a pet to rabies. If it is safe to do so, place a container or box over the bat.

• When the sick or dead bat is outdoors and may have exposed someone to rabies, cover it with a box or bucket to keep it in place, if safe to do so. Finding a dead bat

does not require any action unless someone was bitten or scratched before the bat died.

• Contact your local health authority or veterinarian for your area right away to discuss potential exposures to humans or pets.

• If there are multiple sick or dead bats observed in an area, report it to ODFW.

• When a person or pet has been bitten or scratched by an animal that may have rabies, report this exposure immediately to your local animal regulation services or local public health authority. Seek medical care immediately from a medical provider or veterinarian.

• Teach children to avoid all contact with bats and other wildlife.

• Avoid bats seen in the wild, such as while hiking.

• Make sure your dogs’ and cats’ vaccinations are up to date, whether they are indoor or outdoor pets.

• Unvaccinated pets that come into contact with a bat may be quarantined for up to four months, or euthanized.

• Protect your home from bats by covering vents, chimneys, and other entry points with screens.

If you have roosting (nesting) bats living in your attic or other areas of your house, call a wildlife control operator. ODFW is unable to respond to homeowner requests for bat removal.

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

STARS: Volunteer program offers rides to those with needs

“I meet wonderful people,” she said. “There have been some friendships formed that are tremendous.”

Weber had been driving her ailing mother to doctors’ appointments, and she figured she could carry on with that service for others.

“My thing was, I’ve been driving my mom to all these places, I could drive other people,” Weber said.

She particularly enjoys driving first-timers, helping to set them at ease. Passengers go to doctor, dental, and physical therapy appointments in Sisters, Bend, and Redmond. Drivers have their pick of where and when they want to go.

“I like to do some of the early rides,” Weber said. “I love those early drives.”

Flexibility is key to making the program work for volunteer drivers and dispatchers.

Debbie Hewitt serves as a dispatcher.

“I receive phone calls from passengers looking for a ride, and I log that onto our ride board, and that sends an email to our drivers,” she explained.

Available drivers then sign up to take the passenger where they need to go.

Hewitt usually works for a

few hours, three days a week. She can dispatch from pretty much anywhere she can log on with a computer.

“We get to choose when we want to do it, which is the nice thing about it,” she said. “We can schedule around our schedule.”

Hewitt started as a driver, and she still gets behind the wheel sometimes.

“The people are so appreciative of getting help with their rides,” she said.

Hewitt looks at her volunteer work in part as banking some volunteer capital for the day when she needs help from others.

“If it was me — and someday it may be — I would like for the system to still be in place to help me,” she said.

Dixie Eckford believes she took on the very first ride for STARS.

“I was involved in trying to set this thing up,” she recalled. “I decided one additional thing I could do was to be a driver and make sure people got where they needed to go.”

In 2017, a community-led initiative identified medical appointment transportation as one of the primary challenges affecting livability for Sisters Country residents. Volunteers like Eckford created the STARS organization with Age Friendly Sisters Country fiscal sponsorship.

That first ride hit the road in March 2020 — just as the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Other ride share services

shut down — but STARS knew their mission had only become more critical.

Eckford recalls driving passengers to appointments with all the windows down in winter conditions. Drivers sterilized vehicles.

“We wanted our drivers to be safe, our passengers needed to be safe — and our passengers really needed us,” Eckford said.

That trial-by-fire quickly established a track record for STARS as an efficient, effective service.

By 2023, it was apparent that STARS had become a vital part of the community’s infrastructure, and it needed to take the next step in its organizational structure. In July 2024 STARS became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a dedicated board of directors.

The mission has remained the same, and the impact has only grown.

Eckford echoed Hewitt’s enthusiasm for the connections made through volunteering.

“It’s a wonderful way to meet your neighbors, and it

gives you a sense of purpose in your life,” she said. “It keeps you connected to the community. You’re doing it because you’re helping your neighbors, and you’re hoping that someday that favor will be returned to you as a neighbor.”

Eckford drives four to six times a month, mostly to Redmond.

“It’s completely up to you as a driver where you want to go,” she said.

Eckford emphasized that there is a whole structure of

volunteers behind the scenes — board members, grantwriters, administrators, people who focus on recruiting and training volunteers.

“It’s not just the drivers, but all the volunteers who make it possible to keep it going,” she said.

For her part, Hewitt plans to keep rolling.

“I don’t see myself stopping,” she said. “Because it really does help people.”

To secure a ride, or to volunteer with STARS, visit www.starsride.org.

COUNTY

FAIR: Sisters youth learn many skills through 4-H

Ellie Horton, seventh grade at Sisters Middle School and her sister, Luella, entering eighth grade. Included in their award haul: Champion Ewe for Luella and Reserve Champion for Ellie with their Suffolk sheep.

Avery Horton, entering 11th grade, was especially busy showing both a Black Angus steer and Suffolk sheep ram. Her younger siblings are focused on breeding ewes and market lambs.

The Horton ladies typify the Cloverdale Club with numerous family members.

Pam Mitchell, a club leader, talks in glowing terms of her charges.

“These kids work so hard all year round,” Mitchell said. “Many are effectively running a business and preparing for a career in agriculture,” she added.

“It’s more than animal husbandry,” she explained. “They are learning how to budget, manage expenses, balance a checkbook, and coping with the realities of their prized animals, raised from birth, often being sold at market.”

Indeed, they are not pets. There’s one day of the fair that’s bittersweet and, for some, downright heartwrenching. Auction day is when many 4-H kids must say goodbye after a year of training, feeding, and caring for an animal.

4-H needs little introduction in Sisters Country, but its scale still surprises people. As the youth development arm of the Cooperative Extension System at the nation’s landgrant universities, it’s the largest youth development organization in the country.

Six million members strong, 4-H reaches into all 3,007 counties nationwide. That reach exists because of an unusual partnership: the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, landgrant universities, and county governments all pitching in to fund the same goal of giving kids a place to learn by doing.

Nationally, more than 611,800 volunteers and 3,500 professionals keep that promise running, backed by an alumni network 25 million strong. At the Fair, that whole machine boils down to something simple: a kid, an animal, and a project finished well.

FFA brings its own flavor to the barns. The letters still stand for Future Farmers of America. That hasn’t changed since the organization’s founding, and members are quick to say it never will. But delegates voted in 1988 to officially adopt “FFA” as the name itself, recognizing that the organization had long

since grown beyond production farming to welcome future veterinarians, teachers, scientists, and entrepreneurs.

Oregon FFA leans into that breadth with a set of core values members are asked to live by, not just recite: showing up for each other in “classrooms, board rooms, barns, budget meetings, and events,” building trust through honesty and accountability, and treating knowledge as something to be shared rather than hoarded.

It’s easy to see those values in action at the Fair, even if nobody’s pointing them out. It’s in the exhibitor who helps a younger kid straighten a stubborn show halter. It’s in the parent-volunteer hours logged with no fanfare. It’s in every ribbon that gets pinned not for perfection, but for showing up and finishing the job.

“None of this is possible without dedicated parents,” Mitchell says. “They’re behind the scenes every step of the way.”

The Fair doesn’t just host these programs. It partners with them, every year, on purpose. Because somewhere in that partnership is the whole point of the thing: agriculture’s next generation, learning to lead, in public, in the barn, in front of everyone.

Continued from page 3

assistance with pet food and crates.

“These are stories we hear every week,” said Kiki Dolson of Furry Friends Foundation.

One senior, a longtime Sisters resident, called in tears when it came time to euthanize her suffering cat. She didn’t have the funds to give her cat a peaceful passing.

Another client lost her husband this year. Her household went from two Social Security incomes to one, while her bills remained the same. Her dog became a source of comfort through a difficult year, but she has struggled to afford his food and annual vaccinations.

One senior client shared, “You folks make my life so much easier. It has been a very difficult journey for me, and there is no light at the end of the tunnel I am afraid. I don’t know what I would do without the help of Furry Friends. I am so grateful. Thank you all.”

“For so many of our clients, their pet is their lifeline,” said Dolson. “We don’t want anyone to have to choose between paying rent and feeding their dog or cat.”

With the grant’s funding now spent, donations down and costs up, Furry Friends Foundation is asking the

community to consider a donation, a recurring gift, or a pet food drive to help sustain the program.

To learn more call 541797-4023, donate online at www.furryfriendsfound ation.org or checks can be mailed to PO Box 1175, Sisters, OR 97759.

Dear Property Guy

By Mike Zoormajian

Our little biz, WetDog Properties has been at this rental management thing for quite a while. From the 2008 crash to the COVID boom, we thought we’d seen it all. But this year has humbled us quite a bit as we’ve gotten into some new territory,

Late pays and no pays. This is now officially a thing. We’ve had more calls for help dealing with these situations in the past six months than in the past decade. I checked with other property manager friends to make sure it’s not just me. Aaaaaand, it’s not. There’s clearly something going on here, and from my chats with renters, life has just gotten more expensive. Income has not kept up, and the first of the month rolls around with not enough in the bank. Gas and food seem to be the primary increases that are hitting people hard.

I’m seeing people with good credit, good jobs, never late on a payment before, who are now struggling. Sisters may seem like the land of plenty, but many families are just making it.

“Look Mike, I don’t read your stuff to hear about tenant’s problems. My insurance and property taxes are up. Repairs are more expensive now. And I’ve got bills to pay. I’m just gonna kick their butts out!”

Landlord has entered the chat. Yeah, maybe you will and maybe you won’t. Exiting a tenant can be more difficult than many landlords like to think.

You can want non-paying tenants out all you want, but the law has other things to say about it. No, you can’t shut off power. No, you can’t shut off the water. No, you can’t change locks. No you can’t call or text or visit at two in morning. No, you can’t bulldoze the house. No, you can’t shoot their dog. Yes, these are all real conversations with real landlords. And Yes, some just happened to be in Prineville. I can’t make this stuff up.

Eviction paperwork is very specific and fussy about how it’s filled out and

delivered. And if your renter gets ahold of any decent tenant’s rights attorney and a sympathetic judge, they could drag occupancy out for weeks or months. Landlord attorneys are gonna run you $250 an hour locally. So, as with all things in life, let’s all calm down and aim for drama-free solutions. K?

People do very peopley things when faced with not being able to put a roof over their kids’ heads. I know folks don’t want to lie to me, duck calls, write bad checks, or stay past their lease term. But it’s hard to be our best selves when the only alternative is being on the street. Which brings us to where we go from here.

No. 8 Rule at WetDog Properties: There are few problems in life that can’t be found at the bottom of a coffee cup. (Sisters Coffee Marketing Team: feel free to use that. No charge.)

“Wait, you mean I can’t fix this by sending nasty texts and threatening emails?!”

Not normally… No. Not texts. Not phone calls. Not emails. And certainly not attorneys. Face-to-face is always best. I’ve been able to settle the vast majority of landlord-tenant disputes by mediating over a latté. Which is a heck of a lot cheaper and faster than any legal proceedings.

I’ll toss out some specifics next time, but what we’re really trying to get to is:

“When can you pay, and if you can’t, how can we most gracefully end this tenancy?”

OK. So what are our big takeaways? First. New market. Late pays and no pays are here for a while.

Landlords: Don’t wait around for when rent is late. Have the hard conversations early and often to avoid getting burned. Coffee is cheap. Formal eviction and attorneys are expensive. Losing a few bucks to exit a tenant gracefully who can’t make bills is frequently the best option.

Tenants: Don’t wait until rent is due to reach out if you’re in a bind. People can handle bad news, but surprises never go over well. I know it’s a hard conversation, but have it early. This reduces the odds of smashed credit, collections, poor rental history, or having the sheriff come to your door, helping you leave, with your stuff on the curb and your kids crying. Next time, we’ll talk about options for if things really going bad…

Until then, and above all, let’s all do the Mark 12, “Love Thy Neighbor” thing. Yeah, even the late paying tenant, and the jerk landlord.

Mike Zoormajian is principal at WetDog Properties in Sisters. Providing local property management services. Questions and comments to wetdogteam@gmail.com.

ALL advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

CLASSIFIED RATES

COST:

$3.50 per line for first insertion, $2.50 per line for each additional insertion to 9th week, $1.50 per line 10th week and beyond (identical ad/consecutive weeks). Also included in The Nugget online classifieds at no additional charge. There is a minimum $5 charge for any classified. First line = approx. 20-25 characters, each additional line = approx. 25-30 characters. Letters, spaces, numbers and punctuation = 1 character. Any ad copy changes will be charged at the first-time insertion rate of $3.50 per line. Standard abbreviations allowed with the approval of The Nugget classified department. NOTE: Legal notices placed in the Public Notice section are charged at the display advertising rate.

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PLACEMENT & PAYMENT: Office, 442 E. Main Ave. Phone, 541-549-9941 or place online at NuggetNews.com. Payment is due upon placement. Major credit cards accepted with a 3% processing fee. Billing available for continuously run classified ads, after prepayment of first four weeks.

CATEGORIES:

102 Commercial Rentals

STORAGE WITH BENEFITS

•8 x 20 dry box

•Fenced yard, RV & trailers

•In-town, gated, 24-7

EWDevcoLLC@gmail.com

MINI STORAGE

Sisters Rental

331 W. Barclay Drive 541-549-9631

Sizes 5x5 to 15x30 and outdoor RV parking. 7-day access.

Computerized security gate. Moving boxes & supplies.

103 Residential Rentals

Free Standing Single Unit

Apartment near Sisters. All utilities included. Very quiet. $1350/mo. 541-549-3838.

CASCADE HOME & PROPERTY RENTALS

Monthly Rentals throughout Sisters Country. 541-549-0792

Property management for second homes. CascadeHomeRentals.com

Cowboy Court Apartments

2 bedroom 2 bath. $1,695/month, RSD $1,650. 1 year lease. Vacates 8/12/26. Some pets considered (dogs & cats OK with add'l $350 RSD per pet). 2nd floor unit in the back building. W/S/Garbage/ landscaping is paid. Approx. 1,000 sq. ft. NO SMOKING.

154 W Adams Ave. #225 Dishwasher, microwave, washer & dryer, deck, garbage disposal, granite countertops, energyefficient windows, storage, plank flooring throughout, electric heat w/air conditioning, off-street parking - one reserved space (covered space $20/Month).

104 Vacation Rentals

Downtown Vacation Rentals

Popular 1 and 2 Bedroom www.SistersVacationRentals.net Great pricing. 503-730-0150

107 Rentals Wanted

Do you have a Room or ADU? There are folks needing a place they can afford to rent to get out of the elements. Can you help? Advertise your small rental space here at the Nugget Newspaper. nugget@nuggetnews.com 541-549-9941

201 For Sale

Camp Dutch Ovens 4 & 6 QT. Plus lid lifters, liners, table, totes, and more. $200. 541-549-1601.

202 Firewood

DRY S SPLIT CORDS $250 CUT OFFS $100 • COMPOST

SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS

DAVE ELPI – FIREWOOD

205 Garage & Estate Sales

H U G E S A L E

August 7-9 • 8am-3pm 69150 Barclay Dr. >>> Follow the signs! >>>

MARY & TRUDY'S ANNUAL CRAFT & GARAGE SALE

Fri. 8/7- Sat.8/8 • 9am-3pm 66500 Ponderosa Loop, Bend Stamps, dies, punches, ribbon, cardstock, designer paper, and much more.

Lots of garage sale items too.

ANGI & JUDY'S FANTASTIC GARAGE SALE

14545 Mt View Lp, Crossroads, 8/7 & 8/8, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Happy Trails Estate Sales and online auctions!

Selling, Downsizing, or Deaths?

Locally owned & operated by... Daiya 541-480-2806

Sharie 541-771-1150

206 Lost & Found

Man's Gold Wedding Band.

Lost between Sisters, Camp Sherman, Lower Bridge CG #9. 50th Anniversary Aug. 7th! HELP! 541-728-4660.

301 Vehicles

2009 F-250 Super Duty 4x4

XLT Crew Cab, 350HP 6.4L diesel, 157,000 miles, Royal Red exterior, gray interior, integrated trailer brakes, 2" level lift, 156" wheelbase, $15,500. Call or text 541-420-6091

HEATED GARAGE power, lights, security. $275/mo. Jack 541-419-2502

We Buy, Sell, Consign Quality Cars, Trucks, SUVs & RVs ~ Call Jeff at 541-815-7397 Sisters Car Connection da#3919 SistersCarConnection.com

302 Recreational Vehicles

2021 Tiffin Open Road Allegro 34PA, $105,000, 43,300 miles, Ford 7.3 liter gas engine, new tires, many upgrades. Shown by appointment. Mark 541-668-1524 or Deb 402-496-9579.

401 Horses

Orchard Grass Hay For Sale $250/ton, 541-408-6258

ALFALFA

TRITICALE

ORCHARD GRASS HAY New 2026 crop. Barn stored. 3-tie bales. $250-$350/ton. Hwy. 126 & Cline Falls. 541-280-1895

403 Pets

SISTERS WHISKERS

Your purr-fect friend is waiting for you at our local nonprofit cat rescue! Apply to adopt at: sisterswhiskers.org

I’ve got your cats covered! Sisters-Tumalo-PetSitting.com Julie 541-306-7551

Caring, loving pet care in my home. Daily rates and in town. Cheryl 541-420-7875

•SINCE 1976 • Fuel Reduction Forestry Doug Fir – Lodgepole –Hardwood – Juniper – Fir DRIVE-IN WOOD SALES

–18155 Hwy. 126 East –SistersForestProducts.com

Order Online! 541-410-4509

CUSTOM WINDOW COVERINGS

Bend Window Works, LLC is offering a 10% discount on new window coverings. FREE in-home consultation. Same day in-home repair services available. New and repaired blinds make rentals look better! Contact us at 541-383-2455 or andy@bendblinds.com.

Junk Removal, Dumpster Rentals & Demolition Services – Done Right. Remove-Junk.com 541-719-8475

Mobile RV Appliance Service Diagnostics | Service | Repair A/C • Refrigerators

Water Heaters • Furnaces

Electrical Troubleshooting www.JackrabbitRV.com 602-429-9221

SMALL Engine REPAIR Lawn Mowers, Chainsaws & Trimmers Sisters Rental 331 W. Barclay Drive 541-549-9631

Authorized service center for Stihl, Honda, Ariens/Gravely, Cub Cadet, Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, Kawasaki Engines

502 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

M & J CARPET CLEANING Area rugs, upholstery, tile & dryer-vent cleaning. Established & family-owned since 1986. 541-549-9090

"We advertised for a part-time employee in The Nugget and had over a dozen applicants within days! It was a great way to reach out to the community and find the right fit for our company."

Krista West

505 Auto Repair BURLINGTON AUTOMOTIVE

Mobile Mechanic in Sisters Diagnostics, Inspections, Oil Change, Tune-up, and more! Wide variety of vehicles and skid steer loaders. (503) 509-9354

600 Tree Service & Forestry

4 Brothers Tree Service

Sisters' Premier Tree Experts! –TREE REMOVAL & CLEANUP –Native / Non-Native Tree Assessments, Pruning, High-Risk Removals, 24 Hr. Emergency Storm Damage Cleanup, Craning & Stump Grinding, Debris Removal.

–FOREST MANAGEMENT –Fire Fuels Reduction - Brush Mowing, Mastication, Tree Thinning, Large & Small Scale Projects!

Serving Black Butte Ranch, Camp Sherman & Sisters Area since 2003

** Free Estimates **

Owner James Hatley & Sons 541-815-2342 4brostrees.com

Licensed, Bonded and Insured CCB-215057

LOLO TREE WORKS

Tree Services: Tree Removal, Tree Pruning, Stump Grinding, Emergency Tree Services. ISA Certified Arborist

Owner / Operator: Erin Carpenter lolotreeworks.com Call / Text: 503-367-5638

Email: erin@lolotreeworks.com CCB #240912

Tree Removal • Tree Pruning Good for Trees. Good to People. SparTreeArborist.com (916)619-6317

TimberStandImprovement.net

Tree Removal & Pruning TRAQ Arborist/ CCB#190496 541-771-4825

Answer: Page 23

500 Services

•DERI’s HAIR SALON • Call 541-419-1279

HAVE A SERVICE TO PROVIDE? Place your ad in The Nugget

•Wildfire Fuels reduction

•Debris Chipping/Mastication

•Forest Health Thinning

•Wildfire Cleanup & Restoration

• Tree Removal

Will Moore, 541-409-5404

ISA Certified Arborist

We are the experts you’ve been looking for!

LCB# 100129 & Oregon Professional Logger 71395048

601 Construction

Construction & Renovation

Custom Residential Projects

All Phases • CCB #148365 541-420-8448

•Commercial & Light

Industrial

•Custom homes

•Residential Remodels

•Tenant Improvements

WHY CHOOSE US?

•No job too big or small

•Driven by quality, skill & craftsmanship

•Friendly, neighborly professionalism

•Reliable, dedicated & trustful

•Licensed, Bonded, Insured Contact us today!

Curt: 541-480-7494

Brandon: 541-647-0586

kallbergconstruction.com

•Foundations: All sizes & types

•Slabs & Flatwork: SOG's, Driveways, patios & walkways

•Custom Finishes: Tailored to Your style and vision. Contact us today!

Brandon: 541-647-0586

Jeff: 541-419-7199

kallbergconstruction.com

Custom Homes • Additions

Residential Building Projects

Serving Sisters area since 1976

Strictly Quality

CCB #16891 • CCB #159020 541-280-9764

John Pierce jpierce@bendbroadband.com

Landscape & Construction LLC

LCB#8874 CCB#224224

Serving Oregon since 1991 503-849-6090

Creating beautiful outdoor living spaces * custom patios & decks

*water & fire features * outdoor kitchens * pavilions * barns

everythingoutdoors@ymail.com

Rooted in family, Built with pride

Lara’s Construction LLC.

CCB#223701

Offering masonry work, fireplaces, interior & exterior stone/brick-work, build barbecues, and all types of masonry. Give us a call for a free estimate 541-350-3218

Uncompromising quality. Local and personal. You can trust me. All projects: From new construction to those little projects you don't seem to get to. My team of local subcontractors and I will get it done right, fair, and pain-free so you can make your spouse happy. Call Jared 503-949-9719

LOCAL CONSTRUCTION

SERVICES & HOME MAINT.

Remodels • Landscaping Firewise Maintenance Decks & Much More! Pease Co. Contracting Call Tanner at 541-588-0136. Big and small jobs! CCB# 256258

CASCADE GARAGE DOORS Factory Trained Technicians Since 1983 • CCB #44054 541-548-2215 • 541-382-4553

Custom Homes Additions - Remodels Residential Building Projects Becke William Pierce

CCB# 190689 • 541-647-0384 Beckewpcontracting@gmail.com — Serving Sisters Since 2010 —

Earthwood Timber

•Recycled fir and pine beams

•Mantels and accent timbers

•Sawmill/woodshop services

EWDevcoLLC@gmail.com

602 Plumbing & Electric

— GEORGE’S — SEPTIC SERVICE 541-419-3148

A 63-year tradition for Sisters www.georges-septic-service.com

Electrical Service & Repair

Est. 1947, CCB#54572

Local in Sisters 503-357-2146

SWEENEY

PLUMBING, INC.

“Quality and Reliability” Repairs • Remodeling

•New Construction

•Water Heaters

541-549-4349

Residential and Commercial

Licensed • Bonded • Insured CCB #87587

Sisters Owned and Operated

Serving all of Central Oregon

•Residential

• Commercial

•Industrial • Service

Hot tubs/Saunas • Generators

Car Chargers • Panel Upgrades

Light upgrades

541-588-3088 • CCB #234821

603 Excavation & Trucking

Full Service Excavation

Free On-site Visit & Estimate

Tewaltandsonsexcavation@gmail .com

541-549-1472 • CCB #76888

Drainfield

•Minor & Major Septic Repair

•All Septic Needs/Design & Install

General Excavation

•Site Preparation

•Rock & Stump Removal

•Pond & Driveway Construction

604 Heating & Cooling

ACTION AIR

Heating & Cooling, LLC

Retrofit • New Const • Remodel

Consulting, Service & Installs actionairheatingandcooling.com

CCB #195556 541-549-6464

Sisters, Oregon's Exclusive HVAC Service

Residential & Commercial Heating • Ductless Air Conditioning • Maintenance Installation • Repair 541-588-5667

SistersHeatingAir.com

605 Painting

Interior/Exterior Painting

Deck Refinishing

Jacob deSmet 503-559-9327

peakperformancepainting1@ gmail.com • CCB#243491

~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~ Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. Refurbishing Decks CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620 www.frontier-painting.com

606 Landscaping & Yard Maintenance

–All You Need Maintenance –Pine needle removal, hauling, snow removal, moss removal, lawn care, weeding, pruning, roofs, gutters, pressure washing. Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169 Austin • 541-419-5122

Eastern Cascade Solutions Landscaping & Construction www.easterncascadesolutions. com • 541-233-7195 LCB #9958 • CCB #222039

Keeping Sisters Country Beautiful Since 2006 candcnursery@gmail.com 541-549-2345

All Landscaping Services Mowing, Thatching, Hauling Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740

Complete landscape construction, fencing, irrigation installation & design, pavers/outdoor kitchens, debris cleanups, fertility & water conservation management, excavation.

CCB #188594 • LCB #9264 www.vohslandscaping.com 541-515-8462

701 Domestic Services

I & I Crystal Cleaning, LLC Specializing in Commercial, Residential & Vacation Rentals. Licensed, Bonded & Insured. 541-977-1051

BLAKE & SON – Commercial, Home & Rentals Cleaning WINDOW CLEANING! Lic. & Bonded • 541-549-0897

Help Wanted NOW HIRING Housekeeping Team Members and Front of House: Barista, Concierge

Join the crew at our cozy campstyle retreat nestled in the forest! We're looking for friendly, dependable individuals to join our team at Lake Creek Lodge. PT/FT. We offer flexible schedules & excellent compensation. www.lakecreeklodge.com 13375 SW FS Rd. 1419, Camp Sherman

ANGEL

Pat Burke LOCALLY OWNED CRAFTSMAN BUILT

CCB: 228388 • 541-588-2062 www.sistersfencecompany.com

P E R NuggetNews.com 541-549-9941

Home Hardening Services / Assessments / Ember Defense

Retrofits / Vulcan Vent Certified / Gain Defensible Space

CCB# 218954

www.cascadiadesignbuildllc.com Call Adam 541-974-2282

Preparation

•Building Demolition

Trucking

•Deliver Top Soil, Sand, Gravel, Boulders, Water

•Dump Trucks, Transfer Trucks, Belly

•The Whole 9 Yards or 24

Whatever You Want!

Earthwork, Utilities, Grading, Hardscape, Rock Walls

Residential & Commercial

CCB #165122 • 541-549-6977

www.BANR.net

STEVE'S HAULING Yard and other debris, landscaping services, chain saw work, etc. 707-328-8370

Alpine Landscape Maintenance An All-Electric Landscape Company. Text/Call Paul 541.485.2837 alpine.landscapes@icloud.com

is filling crew lead and crew member positions. We want YOU to join us for an awesome season this year! thegardenangel@gmail.com 541 549 2882 NEED A CHANGE? Use The Nugget's HELP WANTED column to find a new job! NEED ASSISTANCE? Use the Help Wanted column to find the help you need! The Nugget Newspaper Call 541-549-9941 to place your ad by Fridays at 5 p.m. or email your text to Nugget@NuggetNews.com

for puzzle on page 22

J&E Landscaping Maintenance LLC Clean-ups, irrigation, aerating, raking, mowing, thatching, hauling debris. Edgar Cortez 541-610-8982 jandelspcing15@gmail.com