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The Nugget Vol. XLVIII No. 52

www.NuggetNews.com

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News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

PRE-SORTED STANDARD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Sisters, OR Permit No. 15

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

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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 Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned.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.

Gerrymandering

To the Editor: In his letter in the December 10 Nugget, Carey Tosello disagrees with me, by name, on the gerrymandering issue that I described in my earlier letter. Mr. Tosello is correct that I am partisan, in one way: I am partial to facts. Here are the facts: In November, 2024, Deschutes County voters approved a measure expanding the Board of County Commissioners from three

members to five members, by a 29 percent margin. Nowhere in that measure was there a mention of creating districts. Earlier this year, Republican commissioners Tony DeBone and Patti Adair, without conducting any public hearings, established a mapping committee and directed it repeatedly to follow their instructions. Their handpicked committee did as they were told and created the current proposal, Map C. With See LETTERS on page 18

Sisters Weather Forecast Wednesday Thursday

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Published Weekly. ©2025 The Nugget Newspaper, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. All advertising which appears in The Nugget is the property of The Nugget and may not be used without explicit permission. The Nugget Newspaper, LLC. assumes no liability or responsibility for information contained in advertisements, articles, stories, lists, calendar etc. within this publication. All submissions to The Nugget Newspaper will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyrighting purposes and subject to The Nugget Newspaper’s unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially, that all rights are currently available, and that the material in no way infringes upon the rights of any person. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return or safety of artwork, photos, or manuscripts.

Merry Christmas

— FROM THE NUGGET STAFF — Staffers enjoyed a holiday luncheon at Three Creeks Brewing last week, where a team member from the restaurant surprised Editor in Chief Jim Cornelius with a 3.7-pound rubber band ball compiled from the weekly rubber band which binds the bundle of Nuggets that Cornelius drops there each Tuesday evening. Our rubber band buyer calculated that the ball was nearly three years in the making.

Say no to county districting By Pete Shepherd Guest Columnist

Editor’s note: The following was presented as oral remarks to the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners last week. Today I am sharing with you the top-line results of the deep dive I’ve taken into the history of Lane County’s multi-year misadventure with redistricting. I’ll be back here on January 5, 2026, to explain why it is important for the County to publish a draft ballot title, draft explanatory statement, and draft text of a proposed ordinance in advance of your first public hearing. On January 7, I’ll share with you the results of a public records request I made to the Secretary of State. Split precincts are common. In Deschutes County, all 50 precincts are split for purposes of at least one elective office. On January 14, I’ll present to you an estimate of the likely costs of defending Map C in court if it proceeds to the ballot. That estimate will be based on roughly nine years experience as Oregon’s Deputy Attorney General, in private practice for almost a decade, and four-and-one-half years as a once a week, volunteer circuit court judge in Crook and Jefferson Counties. To be clear, I am now fully retired, I don’t represent anyone, and I concluded my service as a pro tem judge in December 2023. My report will also be informed, in part, by what I have learned via a public records request about Deschutes County’s legal expenses to date. Finally, at your first public hearing, I’ll return to give you a three-minute sketch of one of the very significant legal risks embedded in advancing Map C. Turning now to Lane County. The story features allegations of rigged maps levied by Democrats against Republicans, and

by Republicans against Democrats. Claims of unlawful conflicts of interest were levied in public comments submitted to a redistricting committee. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission’s enforcement staff eventually weighed in. Incumbent Commissioners campaigned for and against the measure. Opponents paid to publish eight arguments in the voters’ pamphlet — those in favor paid for six. Supporters raised over $60,000 in cash. Voters delivered a crushing verdict. The mid-cycle redistricting measure failed by a vote of 73.60 percent to 26.40 percent. It failed in all 66 precincts in Lane County. It failed in all of the precincts in all of the districts represented by the three incumbent Commissioners who supported the referral. People have suggested that Lane County’s experience is a model that you should examine. I agree. I respectfully suggest that the lesson to be learned from Lane County is that districting is too great a temptation to offer mortal politicians of any party unless we must. Lane County’s recent history shows that giving politicians a chance to pick their own voters is like leaving a stick of butter on the floor in a room full of Labrador puppies and expecting to find it intact the next day. We’re all bound to be disappointed. The Oregon and United States constitutions require us to engage in repeated political warfare over Congressional and state legislative districts. Not content to wrestle in the mud every 10 years, the parties are now joining battle every five years. Neither constitution requires us to bring that kind of trouble home from Salem, much less from Austin, Sacramento, and Washington D.C. It’s just not worth it. We shouldn’t do it.

Views expressed in this column are solely those of the writer and are not necessarily shared by the Editor or The Nugget Newspaper.

Got a great photo of life in Sisters Country? Send to editor@nuggetnews.com.

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

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PHOTO PROVIDED

Gift program makes Christmas special for kids

Y For families in need in Sisters, Christmas has been made a whole lot merrier by the efforts of the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District volunteers — and the generous giving of the community. Each year for decades, the fire district has hosted the Spirit of Christmas Giving Tree, providing the community with the opportunity to purchase gifts for children in Sisters Country. Ornaments on the giving tree specify a gift desired by a Sisters child — and those gifts are purchased by community members and brought to the Sisters Fire Hall, where volunteers wrap the presents and make sure they all get into the right hands. Distribution day was Saturday, December 20. Among the volunteers, Santa Claus also made an appearance. “We had about 24 volunteers on Saturday help to distribute gifts to 73 families, 161 children,” said Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Administrative Assistant Angela Linker. “This was an increase of 19 children from our 2024 Spirit of Christmas.” Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District offers many ways to give back to the community and support the district’s core mission through its active and award-winning Fire Corps. To learn about joining visit www.sistersfire.com/fire-corps.

Man arrested in shooting Council will address UGB again incident in Sisters Susan Cobb

A shooting at Spoons Restaurant in Sisters on Tuesday morning, December 16, triggered a police pursuit that ended with the suspect’s arrest along Highway 20 between Sisters and Bend. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office reports that the incident was the result of a workplace dispute where the victim and suspect knew each other. At 8:19 a.m., Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office deputies were initially dispatched to reports of a shooting. Detectives say Kristopher

Kirkpatrick, 31, entered the restaurant posing as a customer before confronting the victim — a former colleague — and shooting him at pointblank range in the face with a Sabre pistol capable of firing pepper balls and rubber bullets. He then chased the victim through the restaurant, discharging multiple rounds. Kirkpatrick then fled the restaurant and took off in a truck on Highway 20 toward Bend. Deputies initiated a pursuit and See SHOOTING on page 10

Correspondent

The City of Sisters has withdrawn the resolution passed by the City Council on November 5 to move forward on the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansion process as recommended by the UGB steering committee. However, the City still plans to move forward with an application for UGB expansion based on Concept Aa as recommended by the steering committee. The withdrawal is a procedural action that City Manager Jordan Wheeler

acknowledged as “atypical,” and requires some explanation: The formal notice of withdrawal provided to the state Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) on December 12, was made on the advice of the City’s legal counsel, and came after McKenzie Meadows Village LLC appealed the Council decision to LUBA. The Sisters City Council opted to have a resolution (R2025-14) and public hearing for a decision to keep the UGB process in the public’s eye. Council selected from

several options to guide staff in R2025-14. Council approved the option directing staff to prepare applications to expand the UGB map based on the UGB steering committee’s recommendation of Concept Aa, which does not include 58 acres of land that McKenzie Meadows Village LLC hopes to see included in the UGB. Public hearings are used in this context primarily for land use decisions. Council’s guidance to staff to prepare a land use application is See UGB on page 11

SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS Al-Anon Mon., noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. 541-610-7383. Alcoholics Anonymous Monday, 5 p.m., Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church • Tuesday, noon, Big Book study, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church • Wednesday, 7 a.m.,Gentlemen’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., Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration • Friday, noon, Step & Tradition meeting, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. 541-548-0440. Saturday, 8 a.m., Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration • Sunday, 7 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration Central Oregon Fly Tyers Guild For Saturday meeting dates and location, email: steelefly@msn.com.

Citizens4Community Community Builders meeting, 3rd Wednesday of every month, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Visit citizens4community.com for location. Council on Aging of Central Oregon Senior Lunch In-person community dining, Tues. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grab-and-go lunch Tues., Wed., Thurs. 12:30 to 1 p.m. Sisters Community Church. 541-480-1843. East of the Cascades Quilt Guild 4th Wed. (September-June), Stitchin’ Post. All are welcome. 541-549-6061. Go Fish Fishing Group 3rd Monday 7 p.m., Sisters Community Church. 541-771-2211. Heartwarmers (fleece blanketmakers) 2nd Tuesday, 1 p.m., Sisters Community Church. Materials provided. 541-408-8505. Hero Quilters of Sisters Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m. 541-668-1755. Living Well With Dementia Sisters Care Partner Support Group. 2nd & 4th Weds., 1-2:30 p.m. Sisters Park & Recreation District Community Center. 541-588-0547. Military Parents of Sisters Meetings are held quarterly; please call 541-388-9013.

Oregon Band of Brothers Sisters Chapter meets Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m., Takoda’s Restaurant. 541-549-6469. Sisters Aglow Lighthouse 4th Saturday, 10 a.m., meeting by Zoom. 503-930-6158. Sisters Area Photography Club 2nd Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., at Sisters Community Church. 541-549-6157. Sisters Area Woodworkers First Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m. 541-231-1897. Sisters Bridge Club Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. at Sisters Community Church. Email sistersbridge2021@gmail.com. Sisters Caregiver Support Group 2nd & 4th Weds., 1-2:30 p.m. Sisters Library Community Room. 541-588-0547. (Meets with Living Well With Dementia Sisters). Sisters Cribbage Club Wednesdays, 11 a.m. at The Lodge, 411 E. Carpenter Lane. 509-947-5744. Sisters Garden Club For monthly meetings visit: SistersGardenClub.com. Sisters Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors 4th Tuesday, 4:30 p.m. Location information: 541-549-1193. Sisters Kiwanis 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at SPRD in Sisters. 541-632-3663.

Sisters Parent Teacher Community 2nd Tuesday, 6 p.m. at Sisters Elementary School Commons. 917-219-8298. Sisters Rotary 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, Noon to 1 p.m., at SPRD. 541-760-5645. Sisters Veterans no-host lunch, Thursdays, noon, Takoda’s Restaurant. All veterans welcome, 541-241-6563.

SCHOOLS Black Butte School Board of Directors 3rd Tuesday, 9 a.m., Black Butte School. 541-595-6203 Sisters School District Board of Directors One Wednesday monthly, Sisters School District Administration Building. See schedule at www.ssd6. org. 541-549-8521 x5002.

CITY & PARKS Sisters Trails Alliance Board Meetings take place every other month, Sisters City Council 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall. 5 p.m. In-person or zoom. Contact: 541-549-6022. info@sisterstrails.org. Sisters Park & Recreation District Three Sisters Irrigation District Board of Directors 2nd & 4th Tues., Board of Directors Meets 2nd 4 p.m., Coffield Center. 541-549-2091. Tuesday, 10 a.m., TSID Office. Sisters Planning Commission 541-903-4050. 3rd Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Sisters Three Sisters Lions Club 2nd City Hall. 541-549-6022. Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Spoons Restaurant. 541-419-1279. FIRE & POLICE

VFW Post 8138 and American Legion Black Butte Ranch Police Dept. Post 86 1st Wednesday of the month, Board of Directors Meets monthly. 6:30 p.m., The HUB, 291 E. Main Ave. 541-595-2191 for time & date. sistersveterans@gmail.com. Black Butte Ranch RFPD Board of Directors 4th Thurs., 9 a.m., This listing is for regular Sisters Country meetings; email information to nugget@nuggetnews.com. BBR Fire Station. 541-595-2288.

Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA) Sisters Chapter meets monthly for a meeting, group bike ride, or event. Contact sistersrep@cotamtb.com for info.

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Roundhouse Foundation supports rural, tribal media Roundhouse Foundation, based in Sisters, has announced more than $1.5 million dollars in collective support grants to Native Public Media and Public Media Bridge Fund, which are respectively championing funding relief for rural and tribal public media stations impacted by the recent closure of The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). “Radio provides a resource that people can access for free,” said Sue Matters, station manager of KWSO 91.9 FM, a public radio station owned and operated by The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. “In rural America – there may be no other options for information at no cost.” The Foundation notes that public radio and television stations are community hubs — in a way, they’re “third places,” like local libraries, senior centers, or skateparks. “They’re places where the community can connect, speak freely, learn, and share knowledge,” said Roundhouse Foundation Executive Director Erin Borla. Roundhouse focuses its funding on rural, remote, and Indigenous community organizations, which receive philanthropic funding at a disproportionately

low rate—only seven percent of philanthropic dollars, nationally, goes toward rural America (FSG 2021). “What a way for philanthropy to help rural and Indigenous communities, by coming alongside community radio stations who are already loved, trusted, and, most importantly, doing the work on the ground.” Roundhouse Foundation is hopeful that other funders know they can support public media during their time of financial uncertainty. Borla is also the host of “Funding Rural,” a podcast about how philanthropy can better serve rural communities and spark systemic change, where guests recently discussed the significance of public media. In this week’s episode, Sue Matters noted the connection between tribal radio stations and Native American culture. “Radio for storytelling, for language, for listening to the voice and the wisdom of elders… radio is perfect,” she said. “It’s an authentic way to continue the legacy of an oral tradition.” In addition to being conveyors of culture and local pride, public media — especially in rural areas — has the capacity to save lives. During the 2020 COVID pandemic when Central

Icy steps to snowy driveways,, we’ve got winter covered!

WOOD FUEL EL PELLE PELLETS ETS SNOW SHOVELS S ICE MELT

Oregon had widespread wildfires, KWSO provided updates on the fires’ location and origin. “[It was like] that fire information board at the post office, but you just tuned into your radio,” said Matters. “I tried to get on the air live from a parking lot outside of fire management because I couldn’t get through [to the station] — the fire was between them and us.” Life-saving communications by public media outlets include local news, emergency alerts, weather warnings, missing person alerts, and natural disaster reporting. Native Public Media (NPM) has established several funds to bolster the fiscal health of their 58 Tribal radio and three television stations, which are all located within 12 Western states. “The defunding of CPB could have been catastrophic without the friends of Native Public Media coming to our aid,” said NPM President and CEO Loris Taylor. “The support keeps isolated tribal communities informed and safe; strengthens the civic health of Indian Country; and grows our Tribal Media Endowment Fund so stations can continue their service to Tribal communities far into the future.”

Roundhouse Foundation’s giving will be directed to the Native Public Media’s Tribal Media Endowment Fund, and on-air Public Service Announcements at select stations that serve the northwest. Public Media Company has also started a pooled philanthropic fund, The Public Media Bridge Fund, which is receiving $1 million from Roundhouse Foundation, and aims to use the funds to secure existing local public media services. They estimate more than 100 stations, collectively reaching 43 million Americans, are at risk of closing and going off air. A large share of the stations at risk broadcast to rural, remote, and tribal communities. “Our goal is to help the stations achieve sustainability over the next several years, even if public funding is not restored,” said Public Media Company Chief Executive Officer Tim Isgitt. His organization will be working in parallel with other funds such as NPM, to fill the stations’ 25 percentplus budget funding gap. The Bridge Fund hopes to raise $100 million to ease the sudden financial loss created when CPB shut down. More private funding is needed to bolster the stations hardest hit and funders

are being asked to donate to keep these critical stations on-air—and to elevate the voices of the communities in which they serve — because as NPM’s Loris Taylor penned it in an online post, “The cost of silence is too high.” Visit www.nativepublic media.org to support Native Public Media Fund and https://publicmedia.co/ bridge-fund/ for Public Media Bridge Fund. The Roundhouse Foundation is a private family foundation based in Sisters that supports creative solutions to the unique challenges associated with rural culture and the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. More information is available at www. RoundhouseFoundation.org.

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Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

SAA’s December 26 Fourth Friday Artwalk By Helen Schmidling Correspondent

‘ Ti s t h e d a y a f t e r Christmas and all through the town, locals and visitors are out walking around. They may be out shopping, having coffee, or exchanging some gifts. Sisters Arts Association welcomes all to the last Fourth Friday Artwalk for 2025. Quit scrolling and start strolling! There will be light refreshments in the galleries, and even some music, between 4 and 7 p.m. Here’s a look: The Campbell Gallery features work by Austin Quattlebaum. It’s a wild ramble through nature, music, and storytelling, blending the whimsical with the wonderfully weird. His artistic roots trace back to building theater sets and crafting puppets in his youth, which sparked a love for bold designs and intricate details. His work draws inspiration from his southern upbringing, years spent guiding trips through whitewater rapids, and a deep connection to the natural world. He’s crafted massive plywood art pieces and even a 13-foot rainbow trout puppet

“Lower Antelope Canyon” by Robert Tewes at Toriizaka Art .

for the Big Ponderoo Music and Arts Festival. Sisters Gallery & Frame’s multi-talented artist, Caroline Stratton, is also an astrologer and psychotherapist. Through the practice of astrology in the ‘70s and ‘80s, Caroline pursued a degree in psychology and practiced as a mental health therapist until her “mostly retirement,” about 10 years ago. She has continued to study astrology and create amazing artwork in watercolor, acrylic, and threedimensions. This Friday, she will offer brief astrological chart readings for $ 2 5 . Yo u will need to know your date of birth, but the time is not essential, though it PHOTO PROVIDED will add depth “Great Gray Owl” by Caroline Stratton at Sisters and accuracy. Gallery & Frame. Caroline is a

perform holiday favorites starting around 4:30 p.m. All art will be offered at a 10 percent discount between 4 and 7 p.m. Hood Avenue Art is featuring a gallery-wide show that includes new works by Kathleen Keliher called “Late Autumn on the River.” Wildflower PHOTO PROVIDED Studio will be closed for the Fourth Friday Artwalk and the following week for a wellearned holiday for the owner. Makin’ it Local features work by ceramic artist Darah Lundberg, known for crafting functional pottery with a sculptural, organic sensibility. Blending stoneware, porcelain, and atmospheric firings, her work reflects the quiet rhythms of the natural world while offering pieces meant to be used, held, and enjoyed every day. Lundberg teaches ceramics at Portland Community College and Radius Art Studio, where she

transpersonal or humanistic astrologer, and she does not do predictive charts. Stop by the gallery and have fun exploring who you are. The Rickards Gallery will reopen after the Christmas holiday with a special retrospective collection from Dan Rickards entitled “Fire and Ice.” This curated collection focuses on the forces that created our dramatic and ruggedly beautiful landscape. Expect sweeping vistas of the Three Sisters and Mount Bachelor along with fiery sunsets and intimate campfires. Many of the featured pieces for this show have not been shown publicly for over a decade. Visit the gallery from 4 to 6 p.m. to meet Dan, hear about his artistic journey and inspiration, along with wine and light bites. Toriizaka Art’s holiPHOTO PROVIDED day cheer is evident as The Renaissance Sisters, under the Ceramic vessel by Darah Lundberg at Makin’ it Local. leadership of Lola Knox, will

PHOTO PROVIDED

“Late Autumn on the River” by Kathleen Keliher at Hood Avenue Art. helps students build a relationship with clay through experimentation and craft. She participates in Oregon’s clay community, from woodfiring events to regional shows and open studio tours. The Stitchin’ Post’s Staff Handcrafted Gift Boutique is full of wonderful items including quilts, bags, pincushions, ornaments, and holiday décor. See the wide variety of wonderful things our creative and talented staff have created. Check out The Art Walls locations, businesses that feature art on their walls. SAA encourages you to visit them during their regular business hours. That includes The Barn, Fika Sisters Coffeehouse, Sisters Bakery, and The Hub. SAA’s Fourth Friday Artwalks will take a break in January and February, but come back in March to see new art, meet new artists, and make new friends. Happy Holidays, everyone!

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Community Builders collaborate, provide services By Sue Stafford Correspondent

The well-attended December 17 Community Builders meeting was held in the clubhouse of The Grove apartments at Sunset Meadows. The apartments, currently at 85 percent occupancy, come in one-, two-, and three-bedroom units that are available furnished or unfurnished. They are all electric, with utilities running about $95 a month. A two-bedroom apartment rents for $2,200, and that covers common area charges, water/ sewer/garbage/internet, but not electric. There are washers/dryers and air conditioning in every unit, as well as an on-site sauna and gym. The management reports they have a strong and engaged community with all units occupied by people who live in Sisters more than 50 percent of the time. Their clubhouse is available for free to nonprofits, and low cost for private events. The complex is dog-friendly and has a dog park and dog washing station. There are EV charging stations onsite. Leases are available for as short a time as three months. The Grove is walking distance to downtown Sisters and some units have beautiful views of the Three Sisters. The 29 attendees (two new) were able to share one of the following: an organizational update, something they are dreaming of where they could use broader support or collaboration, a need they currently have, what they can offer to the community, or something for which they are grateful. As a result of this sharing, several organizations have been able to collaborate on community efforts or provide suggestions or expertise that helps another group. Citizens4Community (C4C) Executive Director Kellen Klein, who convenes the monthly gatherings, said they are seeking ideas for their “Let’s Get Together” series. If you have an idea for an event that will help bring community members together in a fun way, let Klein know by emailing director@ citizens4community.com. They are also seeking ideas for future professional development workshops. If you have a skill you’d like to learn, or a skill you’d like to share, please reach out. On February 6 there will be a “Let’s Flow Poetry Karaoke.” There will be a mental health fair at The Hub in the spring. Deschutes Land Trust is offering “Winter Wanderings” at three preserves around Sisters on December 27 from 1–5 p.m. — at Indian Ford Meadow Preserve (1.2 miles of trails),

Metolius Preserve (west of Camp Sherman, 10 miles of trails), and Camp Polk Preserve. Visitors will have a chance to mingle, wander the lands, or snowshoe if there is snow. Check their website for more information. Gratitude was expressed for Ann Richardson, president of DLT, who has been a great mentor for lots of folks in the community. Serving Our Seniors (SOS) is a small group of individuals who became concerned after The Lodge eliminated its assisted living services, leaving Sisters elders with only several adult care homes to offer that kind of assistance. Seven years ago, 25 percent of the Sisters population was over 65. It’s now 37.5 percent and our services for elders available locally haven’t kept up with that growth. Over the past six months SOS has had meetings with local health experts, visited other communities, done community listening sessions and an electronic survey. They are now collating all that information to share with the community and will hopefully attract people who would like to establish some services and volunteers to enable our seniors to age well in their homes. In January, there will be a series of articles in The Nugget reviewing statistics and services available for elders. A Resource Fair at the Fire Hall on February 17 will feature organizations that currently offer services in Sisters for seniors. On March 8, SOS will partner with C4C in a Community Forum addressing SOS, at the Sisters Elementary School. It will be an informed discussion for the community regarding what services for seniors are missing and needed in our community, hopefully identifying where the community’s energy lies. 100 Women Who Care

Sisters (100 WWCS) is inviting nominations for their quarterly giving circle meeting. It’s a chance to present about your group to 100+ women in the community, then members vote, and the winner gets the amount given by the women, with each giving $100. All that is needed is a current 100 WWCS member to nominate your organization. The next meeting is January 23 with a nomination deadline of January 11. Currently there are about 117 women involved. Community Solutions Central Oregon is hosting basic mediation training on March 13-15 for $450 for the 40-hour training. This is a great opportunity for anyone who ever deals with conflict. Participants include people in public roles, legal roles, and community volunteers. They would like to increase awareness of their support services across the tri-county area. They are a much more affordable resource as their mediators are all volunteers. Funding comes from Resolution Oregon headquartered in the University of Oregon Law School, which supports 15 regional mediation centers across the state. Funding also comes from Oregon Housing, Mobile Home Marina Housing Community, and funds from private mediation services. They are available for private mediation on a sliding scale. Please help spread the word! Karen Kassy / Edward Jones brings in experts to do free classes. On January 29 there will be a buffet dinner at a local art gallery and a conversation with Kassy about how to align your investments with your values. If interested in attending, contact Edward Jones. Altruist Partners is offering a free book from their organization called “Scaling Altruism,” which gives advice on how to use techniques from bigger

businesses to help smaller nonprofits. Lots of their clients who have used the techniques in the book have seen dramatic increases. Copies of the book by Donald Summers are available in the resource library at The Hub. Sisters Park & Recreation District is hiring a Business Operations Supervisor, a part-time role with 20-25 hours/week. The hire will work closely with the executive director to build up the internal management of the organization. Core functions include accounts payable, reconciliation, payroll, supervising the front office, potentially marketing, and oversight of the rental program. For more information visit www.sistersrecreation.com. Mayor Jennifer Letz said one challenge they’ve been having at the City is that they don’t have a good way to reach out to renters about community information, meetings, and announcements. The City’s contact list is largely based on water utility customers, so they really have no access to renters. They would welcome advice on how better to engage renters about community information. Age-Friendly Sisters Country (AFSC) on January 1 will become “inactive.” They are not formally closing, but they will not be acting as a fiscal sponsor until they are able to attract new board members who can help lead the organization, attract new projects, and attract the necessary funding to help sustain these projects. Email judy@agefriendlysisters.com if you want to discuss further with her. Furry Friends Foundation will serve 140

people this month. Kiki Dolson said about 40 percent of their client base are seniors. The foundation is currently in about 280 square feet, and they distribute about three tons of pet food per month out of that space. Dolson also stores kennels and other supplies at home. They would like to have a larger space and have limited budget to rent. The space doesn’t have to be fancy but does need to be heated. They could easily use triple their square footage if the pricing is right. In a perfect world, they’d love a door big enough for pallets to come through. This would allow them to purchase bulk supplies at a cheaper rate. Sisters Habitat for Humanity wants to thank the community for their support over the last 36 years. During the past few years there have been a lot of changes. They have more than tripled the number of homes available per year. The process from approval to move-in now only takes a few months rather than a few years. Within the next couple of years, they’ll be bringing 19 affordable homes, six workforce homes, and one ADA home to the community. Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Department will be offering a free Christmas day dinner at 1 p.m. at the fire station. It will be a huge free community dinner open to everyone. S TA R S (Sisters Transportation and Ride Share) will have provided 800 rides to in-need community members by the end of the year. The January 21 Community Builders meeting will be at The Slow Down State coffee shop, 192 E. Main Ave.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31 • 8 P.M. • THE BELFRY

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Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Lady Outlaws crowned at Christmas Classic By Rongi Yost Correspondent

The Lady Outlaws capped a perfect weekend by going 3-0 and claiming the championship at the Christmas Classic in Medford, defeating North Valley 46-23 in the title game. The Lady Outlaws opened play on Thursday, December 18, with a strong defensive showing, defeating Klamath Union (KU) 39-24 in their first game of the tournament. Sisters set the tone early, holding KU scoreless for the first seven minutes of the opening period. The Lady Outlaws jumped out to a commanding lead and were on top 14-3 at the end of the first quarter. Offense was harder to come by in the middle periods, as both teams struggled to find rhythm. Sisters scored just five points in the second and four in the third, allowing KU to hang around as the Outlaws worked through some offensive stagnation. The Lady Outlaws responded with their best stretch of the game in the fourth quarter. Fueled by defensive pressure and timely steals, Sisters outscored the Pelicans 16-9 over the final eight minutes to pull away and secure the win. Audrey Corcoran, Maddie Durham, and Maici Cotner each reached double digits and combined for 34 of Sisters’ 39 points. Despite creating numerous offensive opportunities, Sisters was occasionally slow on entry passes. Head Coach Kevin Cotner said that area will continue to improve as

their understanding of offensive reads becomes more clear. “It’s just a timing thing right now,” Cotner told The Nugget. “They see the pass or read we are supposed to make, but are just a second too slow in making the decision to pass.” Cotner added that execution and defensive intensity will remain the team’s focus moving forward. “If we can continue to keep teams sub-40, we will put ourselves in a position to battle for wins night in and night out. It starts on defense. Always. This team is young, and every night is a learning experience,” he said. “Players with a defensive mindset and relentless effort is the ultimate goal.” A day later the Lady Outlaws survived a nail-biter, edging Cascade Christian 37-35 in a gritty defensive battle that came down to the final seconds. Turnovers were a problem for Sisters in the opening frame and they struggled to get into an offensive rhythm, and at the end of one trailed 4-8. The Challengers found a spark late in the second period, knocking down two three-pointers to take a sevenpoint advantage. Sisters managed to trim the deficit to five, but a missed opportunity at the free-throw line — going 0-6 down the stretch — left the Outlaws trailing 15-20 at halftime. At the half Cotner talked with his team about winning one possession at a time, and they did just that. Sisters responded with renewed energy in the third quarter, winning the period

PHOTO PROVIDED

The Outlaws first basketball team took top honors at the Christmas Classic in Medford. 10-8. A key 7-0 run included a banked-in three by Norah Thorsett and a Corcoran layup off a Paityn Cotner assist, tying the game at 22-22. Despite the surge, CC held a slim three-point lead heading into the fourth (28-25). The Outlaws continued to chip away in the final frame, outscoring the Challengers 12-7. Sisters took their first lead of the game late in the quarter when Corcoran calmly sank both free throws to make it 36-35. She added another from the charity stripe with less than 15 seconds remaining to extend the lead to 37 -35, and the Outlaws’ defense sealed the win in the closing moments. See CHAMPS on page 9

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Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Outlaws compete at Christmas Classic By Rongi Yost Correspondent

The Outlaws boys basketball squad opened the Cascade Christian Christmas Classic with an impressive 54-45 win over No. 4 ranked Cascade Christian on Thursday, December 18, handing the Challengers a rare loss on their home floor. Sisters controlled the early tempo leading throughout the first quarter and holding a 10-9 edge at the end of one. Kieren Labhart sparked the offense in the second period, opening the quarter with a three-pointer and adding another late in the half. Teams traded baskets for much of the quarter, and the game was tied 21-21 at halftime. Both squads made runs in the second half. The Challengers briefly took a 37-32 lead late in the third quarter, but Marshall Durham and Will McDonnell responded with a seven-point surge to knot the score at 39-39 heading into the final period. The fourth quarter belonged to the Outlaws. Sisters’ defensive pressure clamped down, holding the Challengers to just six points in the quarter. Cascade Christian did not score until the 1:30 mark as the Outlaws s t e a d i l y p u l l e d a w a y. McDonnell poured in eight points in the final period to seal the victory. McDonnell led Sisters with 22 points, while Teegan Schwartz added 10. Labhart and Durham each finished with nine. “This was a great team victory tonight,” said Coach Chad Rush. “To go on the road and win on Cascade Christian’s home floor is quite the accomplishment, as that does not happen too often. The defensive pressure was steady all game and really took root in the fourth quarter. To hold that team to zero points for over six

minutes is a testament to that. I was very proud of the team as they continued to show their growth and maturity.” The Outlaws faced Trinity Lutheran the following day in the semi-finals and sadly fell 52-55 in a rematch of a contest played just 10 days earlier in Sisters. Since that first meeting the Saints had not lost, entering the game riding a 4-0 winning streak. Sisters came out strong in the opening quarter. After briefly trailing 6-7, the Outlaws went on a decisive 17-3 run to close the period, taking a 23-10 lead. McDonnell and Labhart carried the offense early, combining for 19 of the team’s 23 first-quarter points. Trinity Lutheran responded in the second quarter, outscoring the Outlaws by four, but Sisters maintained control and went into halftime with a 30-21 advantage. The Saints continued to chip away in the third quarter, cutting the lead to as close as one point. Despite the pressure, the Outlaws refused to give up the lead, answering with timely baskets, including three-pointers from Schwartz and McDonnell, to stay in front heading into the final period. Sisters lost the lead for the first time with three minutes remaining when Trinity took a 47-45 advantage. After the Saints extended the margin to four, McDonnell knocked down a clutch three-pointer off a Schwartz assist in front of the Outlaws bench to pull within one. With one minute left, McDonnell converted a layup to put Sisters back on top by a point. However, Trinity Lutheran answered with a three-pointer off a baseline out-of-bounds play with five seconds remaining, taking the lead for good. The Saints sealed the

win by hitting three of four free throws. “This was a tough loss to swallow as it almost mirrored exactly what happened in our first meeting last week,” said Rush. “It was encouraging to see us come out so strong once again to start the game. Losing the lead again after an early advantage stings, but knowing these guys, we will come back strong, continue to battle, and get better.” McDonnell led all scorers with 24 points, while Labhart added 14 in the semifinal loss. Sisters closed out their tournament schedule with a 53-62 loss to Junction City on Saturday. The Outlaws struggled early as Junction City’s interior size and strength controlled the paint, leading to multiple offensive rebounds and easy putbacks for the Tigers. The Outlaws found themselves in an early hole, trailing 9-19 at the end of the first quarter. Sisters responded with a much stronger defensive effort in the second period, limiting Junction City to just 10 points. Offensively, the Outlaws were able to push the tempo and get into transition more frequently, resulting in several high-percentage scoring opportunities. Sisters outscored the Tigers 19-10 in the quarter and went into halftime trailing by just one, 28-29. Junction City opened the third quarter with six straight points, but the Outlaws battled to stay within reach at the end of the third period at 41-45. Despite continued effort, Sisters was unable to fully overcome the early deficit and fell 53-62. McDonnell once again led the Outlaws offensively with 19 points. Schwartz and Labhart each scored nine, while Thomas Hamerly

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added seven. Rush said, “ This was a gutcheck for us. Junction City is a very good team with a lot of talent, so to play them on the third day of the tournament was a real test for us. The team responded well after a tough loss the night before and after falling behind big in the first quarter. That was good to see. Overall, this was a good trip for the team to learn more about themselves and what it will take to consistently win games.” Sisters will resume play at home at the annual Sisters Shootout held Thursday through Saturday, January 1-3.

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Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

CHAMPS: Outlaws were proud to bring home the win Continued from page 7

“Our defense continues to be our strength and driving force that gives us an opportunity to compete,” Cotner said. “I’m super proud of the grit and resolve that continues to grow within this team.” On Saturday the Outlaws defeated North Valley in the Championship match, where they controlled the game from the opening tip, setting the tone with stifling defense. The Outlaws held North Valley scoreless in the first quarter and limited the Knights to just six points in the first half, while putting up 22 of their own. Sisters continued to dictate play in the second half to comfortably secure the win. Seven Lady Outlaws contributed in the scoring effort, led by Durham with 24 points. Cotner was pleased with the team’s offensive execution against North Valley’s 1-3-1 zone. “I thought our offensive movement was better tonight and we made the right passes to the right people at the right times,” Cotner said. “North Valley sat in their 1-3-1 zone for the entirety of the game and we were able to find openings. We ended with six three-pointers on the night.”

Sisters also received a key spark off the bench from Verbena Brent, who was limited to a couple of minutes per quarter. Cotner told The Nugget that her energy and intensity made an immediate impact on the game. “What a great end to a great weekend and tourney,” Cotner added. “These girls stepped up their intensity and effort from the opening tip.” Defense was again the cornerstone of the Outlaws’ success. Cotner emphasized that the team is building its identity on that end of the floor. “In basketball, you will have nights where you shoot the lights out and others where you can’t throw it in the ocean from the beach,” Cotner said. “Defense, intensity, and effort are what we can control on a nightly basis, and I feel like the team is beginning to understand this. We put ourselves in a position to win because we are warriors on the defensive end. This is nonnegotiable for us.” Corcoran, Maici Cotner,

Thorsett, Stella Moen, and Brent were tasked with shutting down North Valley’s perimeter shooters, who had made a total of 12 threepointers in the previous two games. The group limited them to just five points. Inside, Durham, Paityn Cotner, Althea Crabtree, and Avery Horton battled North Valley’s two 6’1” post players, denying deep position and elimating back-to-thebasket opportunities. Cotner told The Nugget he doesn’t recall a time in recent history when the Sisters girls basketball program brought home a tournament championship. “Even though we are still in preseason, I felt like this was a great achievement and growth opportunity,” he said. “I am beyond proud of this group. I am proud of their resilience and grit. I am proud of their willingness to be pushed and coached, and I am proud of the way they support and root for each other on the court.”

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Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Christmas Eve Church Services

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church

PHOTO PROVIDED

Kris Calvin and Dr. May Fan donated blood at Sisters Athletic Club.

Blood drive will save lives Sisters Athletic Club concluded a year of community service with its third blood drive of 2025 on December 12, welcoming 31 donors who collectively contributed 25 units of blood — enough to potentially save over 70 lives. Throughout 2025, the Sisters Athletic Club partnered with the American Red Cross to host three successful blood drives that engaged more than 80 community members. These dedicated donors provided over 70 units of blood, creating a potential lifesaving impact for more than 200 individuals in need. “We are so grateful for the support given to the mission of the American Red Cross once again this year,” said Rebecca O’Rourke of the Red

Cross. “In 2025 we held three blood drives with the Sisters Athletic Club which resulted in 105 percent participation in the goals we had set!” In a release, SAC noted that the partnership between Sisters Athletic Club and the American Red Cross demonstrates the power of community collaboration in addressing critical healthcare needs. Blood donations are essential for trauma patients, cancer treatments, surgical procedures, and individuals with chronic illnesses. The Sisters Athletic Club states that it remains committed to supporting community health initiatives and looks forward to continuing its partnership with the American Red Cross in the coming year.

Wellhouse Church

Christmas Masses at

Christmas Eve Candlelight St. Edward the Martyr Service, kids gift s, photo booth. Christmas masses will be held at Christmas Eve Candelight St. Edward the Martyr Roman December 24, at 4 p.m. Service on Wednesday, Catholic Church, 123 N. Trinity wellhousechurch.org December 24, at 4 p.m. 386 N. Way, on Wednesday, December Fir St., 541-549-5831 Sisters Community Church 24, at 5:30 p.m. (Vigil Mass) Episcopal Church of the Wednesday, December 24, and Thursday, December 25, at Outdoors at Fir Street Park 10 a.m. (Christmas Day Mass). Transfiguration at 5 p.m., a celebration for Wednesday, December 24, at the Call 541-549-9391 or visit the whole family; Indoors Episcopal Church, 121 Brooks stedwardsisters.org. Camp Rd. come enjoy a Family Christmas Eve candlelight Christmas Eve in service at 3 p.m., 1300 W. Christmas Eve with Kids’ Camp Sherman McKenzie Hwy. 541-549-1201, Pageant at 4 p.m. All children Chapel in the Pines Christmas www.sisterschurch.com. are invited to participate. Eve service, at the Camp Christmas Eve Candlelight Sisters Church of the Sherman Community Hall Service at 9 p.m. Nazarene 7 p.m., Wednesday, December 541-549-7087 or visit www. Christmas Eve Candlelight 24. 541-815-9153. transfiguration-sisters.org. Service, December 24, at 5 p.m. www.sistersnaz.org

Pentecostal Bible Study

Held at The Lodge in Sisters, 411 E. Carpenter Ln. 6:30 p.m. every Thursday in the Theater Room. For information call 541-233-6189.

Hunter Education Class

Starts March 3, 2026. Register online at www.odfw.com. For more information call Rick Cole at 541-420-6934.

Check-In Circle: Come As You Are

A welcoming space to be seen and heard. The group follows a series of simple check-ins that offer structure without pressure and honesty without performance. 1st & 3rd Mondays. Next meeting starts 4:30 p.m. on January 5 at The Hub, 291 E. Main Ave. RSVP Michael Grant 503-688-4881.

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FOOD RESOURCES Free Lunches for Seniors

For those 60+, the Council on Aging of Central Oregon offers a fun, no-cost social lunch every Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sisters Community Church, 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy. No reservations needed. No-cost Grab-N-Go lunches take place weekly on Wednesday and Thursday, from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Call 541-797-9367.

Weekly Food Pantry

CORE Market, located at 222 N. Trinity Way in Sisters. Market hours are Mondays, 1 to 2 p.m. Info: 541-5882332.

Free Weekly Meal Service

Family Kitchen hosts a weekly to-go hot meal on Tuesdays, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., at Sisters Community Church, 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy. Info: www. FamilyKitchen.org.

Free Pet Food

Need pet food for your dog or cat? Call the Furry Friends pet food bank at 541-797-4023 to schedule your pickup. Located at 412 E. Main Ave., Ste. 4, behind The Nugget.

Kiwanis Food Bank

Located at 382 W. Main Ave. Weekly distribution is Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Info: 541-632-3663.

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Law enforcement and emergency medical personnel responded.

SHOOTING: Suspect in the incident was apprehended on road Continued from page 3

successfully executed a Pursuit Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver near Plainview Road, located between Sisters and Bend. Kirkpatrick was arrested and taken into custody without incident. The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries, including cuts, bruising, and swelling to his face, and additional bruising and swelling on multiple parts of his

body from the impact of the projectiles. He was taken to St. Charles-Bend for further evaluation. Although the ammunition used was not traditional bullets, the Sabre pistol is capable of inflicting serious injury, especially when targeting areas of the body like the face or at close distance, DCSO asserts. Detectives say the suspect made it clear through his actions that he intended to cause harm and kill the victim. Nobody else was hurt in the shooting, and detectives believe only the victim was the intended target. The investigation is ongoing.

Baha’i Faith For information, devotions, study groups, etc., contact Shauna Rocha 541-647-9826 • www.bahai.org www.bahai.us • www.bahaiteachings.org

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (ELCA) 386 N. Fir St. • 541-549-5831 www.shepherdoft hehillslutheranchurch.com 10 a.m. Sunday Worship

Chapel in the Pines Camp Sherman • 541-815-9153 10 a.m. Sunday Worship

Sisters Church of the Nazarene 67130 Harrington Loop Rd. • 541-389-8960 www.sistersnaz.org • info@sistersnaz.org 10 a.m. Sunday Worship

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 452 Trinity Way • Branch President, 541-977-5559; 10 a.m. Sunday Sacrament Meeting The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration 121 N Brooks Camp Rd. • 541-549-7087 www.transfiguration-sisters.org 8:30 a.m. Ecumenical Sunday Worship 10:15 a.m. Episcopal Sunday Worship The Resting Place meeting at Sisters Community Church, 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy. www.restingplace.us • hello@restingplace.us 5 p.m. Sunday Worship Seventh-Day Adventist Church 541-241-6086 11 a.m. Saturday Worship

Sisters Community Church (nondenominational) 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy. • 541-549-1201 www.sisterschurch.com • info@sisterschurch.com 8 a.m. Daybreak Service • 10 a.m. Sunday Worship St. Edward the Martyr Roman Catholic Church 123 Trinity Way • 541-549-9391 5:30 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass • 9 a.m. Sunday Mass 12 p.m. Monday Mass • 8 a.m. Tuesday-Friday Mass The Wednesday Bible Study Home Church (nondenominational) Call for time and location • 541-728-2717 Wellhouse Church 442 Trinity Way • 541-549-4184 htt ps://wellhousechurch.churchcenter.com 10 a.m. Sunday Worship

POLICY: Nonprofits, schools, churches, birth, engagement, wedding, and anniversary notices may run at no charge. Business items do not run on this page. All submissions subject to editing and run as space allows. Email nugget@nuggetnews.com or drop off at 442 E. Main Ave. Deadline is 5 p.m. on Fridays.

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Observing the Solstice...

Sisters author Michael Cooper wins award

PHOTO BY JOSH BERGER

Sisters folks marked the Winter Solstice on the night of December 21 at the community labyrinth.

UGB: Council will address resolution on January 14 Continued from page 3

not a formal land use decision. City Manager Jordan Wheeler put it this way: “Under our development code, an application may be initiated in a variety of ways, including by the community development director or their designee. We decided to hold a public hearing and have the Council consider approving a resolution to provide formality on this milestone, guidance for the community development department, and an additional opportunity for public input on an important matter to our community.” Council met twice on R2025-14. In their October meeting, they delayed their decision to November 5. After the latter public hearing, Council decided by a 3-2 vote to move forward with Concept Aa as recommended by the UGB steering committee and the City Planning Commission.

Legal support for MMV appealed the Council’s decision to LUBA November 25. The City of Sisters responded to the MMV appeal December 12 by withdrawing the decision “for reconsideration.” “Reconsideration” in this context refers to the resolution, but apparently not the action it authorized. Wheeler told The Nugget, “we continue to move forward with preparing an application based on the UGB Steering Committee’s recommendation on the preferred concept Aa.” The Nugget contacted an MMV representative who declined to comment. Wheeler noted: “A council resolution is not necessary for staff to move forward with preparing an application for the UGB expansion. Therefore, an option for Council is to repeal Resolution 2025-14.” He added, “Our hope is that the withdrawal of the resolution will save the city time and taxpayer dollars that would be spent responding to [MMV’s] appeal.” Council reconsideration

and possible repeal of the resolution will be conducted on January 14. Wheeler notes that the official UGB land use application process has not begun, and includes “the submittal of the applications, noticing, and multiple public hearings.” The official process is slated to begin in January. 2026.

SUDOKU SOLUTION for puzzle on page 22

Wilderness explorer, mountaineer, and acclaimed journalist Michael Cooper has been honored with the Winner of the 2025 Literary G l o b a l B o o k Aw a r d s ’ Narrative Non-Fiction distinction for his harrowing memoir, “Miscalculated Risks: Attacked, Crippled, Paralyzed, Drowning, Unconscious and Freezing in the Wild (Just Not All at Once).” Cooper is a longtime Sisters resident who released the book earlier this year. The book blends adventure, personal reflection, and gripping storytelling as it chronicles Cooper’s near-fatal expeditions, extreme wilderness encounters, and the relentless drive that pushed him more than 8,000 miles into some of the most remote and uncharted landscapes in North America. The distinguished panel of LGBA judges said, “[‘Miscalculated Risks’] stood out for its exceptional

‘Miscalculated Risks’ stood out for its exceptional craft, originality, and literary impact. craft, originality, and literary impact. This year’s competition featured a strong and diverse field of entries from authors around the world, making this recognition especially meaningful.” “Miscalculated Risks” was also an LGBA Finalist in the Autobiography-Memoir and Debut Nonfiction categories. The 2025 Literary Global Book Awards commendation follows the American Writing Awards win for Best New (Debut) Nonfiction. The outdoors-adventure memoir was also an AWA Finalist in the Narrative Nonfiction category. Additionally, Cooper was selected as an AWA 2026 See COOPER on page 17

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Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

The Ghosts of Estonia

By Maret Pajutee | Correspondent

Estonia is a strange little country on the edge of the Baltic Sea. It has deep pine forests, wolves, bears, bogs, rare orchids, a love of singing, and a history of being overpowered. I am a first-generation child of Estonian immigrant parents. Like thousands of others, they ran from Estonia at the end of World War II when it became a Russian territory. Because of its waterfront location, Estonia has been a strategic spot to conquer. It’s been ruled by the Danes, the Swedes, the Poles, the Germans, the Russians, the Germans, the Russians, with a few bouts of independence in between. All those invasions selected for survivors with a high percentage of introverts that knew to keep their heads down. A curse on shy offspring who learned to loosen up with a favorite medicine of potato vodka. They were a pagan people who worshiped nature. Sacred tree groves

were adorned with ribbons and tiny dolls. Dark forests and hidden paths through the bogs often provided safety from invaders. There are a huge number of fairytales. Odd stories of forest spirits, kings, talking trees and crayfish, the devil, and unlikely heroes. Tales to be told in the dark by the kitchen fire and candlelight. Many things were said to provide protection: lilacs by the door, elderberry sticks, small stones with holes bored by the sea. They became Christianized by the relentless crusades of the German Teutonic knights in the 12th c e n t u r y. Four Estonian waterfront cities began

to flourish as part of the wealthy Hanseatic League trade. Baltic Germans became a ruling class living in thousands of manor houses, while Estonian peasants with no last names tended the land. The first World War resulted in a brief period of independence. In WW II, 25 percent of the population was killed or deported to Siberia in cattle cars. Everyone lost someone, everyone was haunted. Most of my relatives did not leave in time. After Estonia fell, my father’s family lost ownership of their farm. The landscape was excavated, and poisoned water came from the phosphate mines. Both my grandfathers were taken away by the Russians. On a June night in 1941, 10,000 Estonians were taken and deported. My mother ’s father was a wealthy businessman and was taken to a transit camp, 1000 miles east

in Russia. His captors kept meticulous notes. He was beaten and interrogated. I was able to have the transcripts of his interrogation translated. Old and in poor health, he was shot. My other grandfather hid in the attic and forests for seven years coming out at night to help with farm work and occasionally leaving for odd jobs. Family legend is that my aunts’ husband ratted him out. In his interrogation they asked him why he had hidden for so long. He said he hoped the brackish Baltic Sea would freeze (which it sometimes did) so he could escape on skis across the Gulf of Finland. His plan was to have my 17-year-old uncle, a strong skier, accompany him and bring rope to pull each other out of ice crevasses as needed. He was sent to Siberia for 25 years at hard labor. But after five years, Stalin died and he was released, a changed man from the photos. My parents went from Displaced Person’s camps in Germany to a university before meeting, marrying, and immigrating to the U.S. Immigrants needed a sponsor, and theirs was a rancher from South Dakota, who set

them to raising turkeys and cattle. Early photos show a skinny couple in strange hats and fur coats against the hay bales in a snowy landscape. They became citizens. They saved enough to move to Portland, Oregon, where other Estonians had settled. They worked and finished college as an Engineer and a Chemist. There was an Estonia Lutheran church, benefit dinners for Estonian veterans called “Goose Night”, Christmas parties, Estonian school for the kids,

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Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

and folk-dance lessons. We spoke Estonian at home to our parents, a language closely related to Finnish and distantly related to Hungarian. We spoke English at school. Only about one million people in the world speak Estonian, a FinnishUric language. It was lucky we learned it as children because it has 14 tenses per verb. My parents insisted we needed to know it so that someday, if Estonia became free, we could go there and understand. Ours was an

Estonian language strangely frozen in 1944, it didn’t evolve with new words, so we added a mix of English. My Grandmother was our only other immediate family in America. She schooled me in baking Estonian treats, saffron-scented breads covered with almonds and powdered sugar, dense sourdough rye. Stuffed savory pastries, found in some format throughout east Europe, pirokas. Yeast or sour cream doughs filled with meat and rice, ham and onion, carrots, or cabbage and egg. Sauerkraut sweetened with apples, honey, and caraway. Fresh salt pickles with summer dill flowers. Our correspondence with family was restricted. The first letters

came in 1949. We sent food and clothes packages with money tucked inside cocoa powder cans. My cousins pleaded for Elvis Presley records or blue jeans, a request my conservative parents ignored. After 50 years Estonia miraculously became free in 1991. They had the “Singing Revolution,” where banned patriotic songs were sung, hidden Estonian flags came out, and there was a nonviolent showdown with Russian troops at the TV tower in Tallinn. And the Soviet control ended. No guns were fired. Sadly, both my parents died too young and never saw it happen. I wrote to the last address of my fathers’ little brother, who would’ve been in his late 70s. But I did not hear back. I assumed my uncle had passed away. Then late one night, 20 years ago, I found an internet genealogy page with my name in it in an article mentioning me in the Sisters Nugget Newspaper. I contacted the page administrator who turned out to be my second cousin in Tallinn, Estonia and he assured me that my uncle was alive and had played cards with his father the week before. By the time I visited for the first time in 2009 my fathers’ two younger sisters and little brother were in their 80s and very happy to see me. They said “We’ve been waiting for over 50 years for someone to come back

from America.” My younger cousins were part of the technology revolution in a place that invented Skype before we all knew how to Zoom. Elders had cell phones and 98% of the population was literate. After years of forced Russian occupation older generations speak Russian and Estonian, with younger generations speaking English as well. I have been back many times since 2009 and spent time with my family learning of their lives as college professors, bicycle store owners, internet security, car transport services, athletic coaches, teachers, and more. I’ve watched Estonia get a glow on, fully modern, with abandoned mansions restored and painted, glorious neighborhoods of northern charm. Tallinn is a storybook medieval city, with winding cobblestone streets and fairy

towers. There is new Nordic cuisine, pristine nature, celebration of culture, and the grim knowledge that they are a little country on the edge of the sea, dependent on the goodwill and nonaggression of their neighbors. They have become a valued and committed member of NATO. Estonia’s hard-won freedom feels fragile today. I hope we do not turn away from Europe and the Baltic nations. People near and far just want the peaceful lives we all want. I hope you get to visit Estonia someday and wander through medieval Tallinn. Tranquil cafes have strong coffee, beautiful cakes, and tall pilsners. The summer “White Nights” are long and the forests have wild strawberries, and loud birdsong. The fields and even the graveyards feel hopeful, covered with yellow flowers.

THE NUGGET WILL BE CLOSED WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24 THROUGH THURSDAY, JANUARY 1 All deadlines for the December 31 issues have passed. Deadlines for January 7 issue return to normal:

Display Advertising … Friday, January 2 at Noon Announcements, Events, Classifieds, Poetry … Friday, January 2 at 5 p.m. Letters to the Editor, Obituaries, Subscriptions … Monday, Jan. 5 at 10 0a a.m. .m m.

Office phone 541-549-9941

News & Letters to the Editor: Jim Cornelius, 541-390-6973 (cell), editor@nuggetnews.com Advertising: Kimberly Young, ads@nuggetnews.com Classifieds, Subscriptions, Announcements: Wendy Bachmeier, nugget@nuggetnews.com Events, Poetry: Jess Draper, jess@nuggetnews.com

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

“Dear Santa, I wish I could feed all the pets in Sisters.” Please Give To Our Annual Holiday Pet Food Drive Make your tax-deductible donation to: Furry Friends Foundation 501(c)(3) PO Box 1175, Sisters, OR 97759 Donate online at www.FurryFriendsFoundation.org We need your help continuing to give the 2.5+ tons of pet food monthly to Sisters-area families.

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SISTERS-AREA

Events & Entertainment

WEDNESDAY • DECEMBER 24 WEDNE Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em 5:30 p.m. to close upstairs. 21+. $20 (add'l $5 when bounty chip is played).

FRIDAY • DECEMBER 26

Downtown Sisters 4th Friday Artwalk 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Galleries and shops feature art and demonstrations. Information: www.sistersarts.org. Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $20. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com. Hardtails Outlaw Country Dive Bar & Grill Karaoke 9 p.m. Information call 541-549-6114. The Lodge at Black Butte Ranch Live Music: Outlaw Jazz Combo Enjoy jazz renditions of festive tunes on guitar, bass, and saxophone. For dinner reservations, call 541-595-1260.

SATURDAY • DECEMBER 27 The Lodge at Black Butte Ranch Live Music: Outlaw Jazz Combo Enjoy jazz renditions of festive tunes on guitar, bass, and saxophone. For dinner reservations, call 541-595-1260. Hardtails Outlaw Country Dive Bar & Grill Karaoke 9 p.m. Information call 541-549-6114.

SUNDAY • DECEMBER 28

The Lodge at Black Butte Ranch Live Music: Outlaw Jazz Combo Enjoy jazz renditions of festive tunes on guitar, bass, and saxophone. For dinner reservations, call 541-595-1260. Paulina Springs Books Sunday Scrabble 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Play Scrabble, socialize, and drink coffee. Info: www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.

TUESDAY • DECEMBER 30

Hardtails Outlaw Country Dive Bar & Grill Pool Tournament 5:30 p.m. Information: 541-549-6114.

WEDNESDAY • DECEMBER 31

The Belfry Live Music: NYE with Kota Dosa and Jeshua Marshall & The Flood! 8 p.m. Known for their eclectic sound that blends blues, funk, psychedelic rock, and jazz, Kota Dosa crafts an experience that’s as gritty as NY, as soulful as NoLo, and as laid-back as Oregon. Jeshua Marshall & The Flood brings a mix of punk rock, folk, reggae, americana and indie rock. Tickets, BendTicket.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).

FRIDAY • JANUARY 2

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

SATURDAY • JANUARY 3

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

TUESDAY • JANUARY 6

Hardtails Outlaw Country Dive Bar & Grill Trivia 6 to 8 p.m. Information call 541-549-6114.

WEDNESDAY • JANUARY 7

Suttle Lodge Live Music: Dirty Jazz Come hang and listen to jazz with Wolfe House Records 6 to 8 p.m. $15, or free for Suttle guests. 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 • JANUARY 8

Suttle Lodge Live Music: Eric Leadbetter Firesides Music Series inside The Skip Bar & Restaurant, 6 to 8 p.m. Reservations required: www.thesuttlelodge.com.

FRIDAY • JANUARY 9

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

SATURDAY • JANUARY 10

Sisters Library Live Music: Cascade Chamber Players Quartet Enjoy an hour of music courtesy of Central Oregon Symphony, 2 to 3 p.m. Hardtails Outlaw Country Dive Bar & Grill Karaoke 9 p.m. Information call 541-549-6114.

SUNDAY • JANUARY 4

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

MONDAY • JANUARY 12

Paulina Springs Books Poetry Gathering "The Pause Button," an informal monthly gathering for poets and poetry enthusiasts. Bring a poem or two to share. Listen, discuss, and write. Free. 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. More info at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.

TUESDAY • JANUARY 13

THURSDAY • JANUARY ANUARY Y 115 5 (c ((cont.) con nt. t) Paulina Springs Books Author reading: Steve Stenkamp presents "Lost Oregon Ski Areas." 6:30 p.m. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

FRIDAY • JANUARY 16

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

SATURDAY • JANUARY 17 Hardtails Outlaw Country Dive Bar & Grill Karaoke 9 p.m. Information call 541-549-6114.

SUNDAY • JANUARY 18

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

TUESDAY • JANUARY 20

Hardtails Outlaw Country Dive Bar & Grill Trivia 6 to 8 p.m. Information call 541-549-6114.

WEDNESDAY • JANUARY 21

THURSDAY • JANUARY 22

Suttle Lodge Live Music: Jeshua Marshall Firesides Music Series inside The Skip Bar & Restaurant, 6 to 8 p.m. Reservations required: www.thesuttlelodge.com.

FRIDAY • JANUARY 23

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

SATURDAY • JANUARY 24

WEDNESDAY • JANUARY 14 Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em 5:30 p.m. to close upstairs. 21+. $20 (add'l $5 when bounty chip is played).

Lazy Z Ranch Wines Tasting Room Live Music: Justin Little album release concert featuring Aidan Moye (guitar), Benji Nagel (dobro and lap steel), Taylor Rheault (violin), Aaron Moore (upright bass) and Brent Alan (keys). 7 to 8:30 p.m. Free. Located at 68540 U.S. 20. Hardtails Outlaw Country Dive Bar & Grill Karaoke 9 p.m. Information call 541-549-6114.

THURSDAY • JANUARY 15

Suttle Lodge Live Music: Jacob Miller Firesides Music Series inside The Skip Bar & Restaurant, 6 to 8 p.m. Reservations required: www.thesuttlelodge.com.

SUNDAY • JANUARY 25

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

Hardtails Outlaw Country Dive Bar & Grill Pool Tournament 5:30 p.m. Information: 541-549-6114.

EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. Event listings are $40/week. Submit items by 5 p.m. Fridays to jess@nuggetnews.com.

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Commentary: Everyone should read “A Christmas Carol” this year By Dani Nichols Columnist

“A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, published in 1843, should be boring by now. It’s been reimagined, rewritten, reworked, and repackaged hundreds of times. It’s so ubiquitous with the season that we say things like “don’t be a Scrooge,” or invoke the ghosts of Christmas past, present, or future without much thought. But it’s not boring. Far from it. I have read it every year for decades and every time, even though I have whole passages memorized, something new pops out. Like a passage from the Bible or a good line of poetry, “A Christmas Carol” has wisdom to offer with each new season, in fact it seems to get wiser and fuller with age and repetition. It’s also not very long. Many great books have truths to share, but most classics are not known for their brevity. But “A Christmas Carol” is unforgettable and one of the stories that seems to have never left the zeitgeist, all while being short enough to read in a sitting, and simple enough to be understood by children. Plus there are weird, hilarious Dickensian asides, such as: “Gentlemen of the free-and-easy sort, who plume themselves on being acquainted with a move or two, and being usually equal to the time-of-day, express the wide range of their capacity for adventure by observing that they are good for anything from pitch-and-toss to manslaughter; between which opposite extremes, no doubt, there lies a tolerably wide and comprehensive range of subjects.” Or “He lived in chambers that had once belonged to his deceased partner. They were a gloomy suite of rooms, in a lowering pile of building up a yard, where it had so little business to be, that one could scarcely help fancying it must have run there when it was a young house, playing at hideand-seek with other houses, and forgotten the way out again.” These little anecdotes seem silly, like the meanderings of a distracted mind, but really they are signs of literary mastery. Dickens understood the power of a chuckle or an elaborate description even in a very small book. He was not satisfied with simply telling his little parable, he knew that the best teaching is memorable, quirky, glazed in frost, vivid with color. His writing is Christmas in a novel: fanciful, ghostly, mysterious, and yet so grounded in reality that you feel you

know these characters. You’ve met someone just like Scrooge, or his nephew Fred, or his former lover Belle, or poor Bob Crachitt. You’ve felt the ghosts of your memories breathing at your elbow, or the future you fear walking ahead of you in a winter gloom. We’ve all felt these things, and Dickens puts words to them for us. I often think of his quote about the Crachitt’s Christmas celebration, when I feel that my tree is not pretty enough and my floor is not clean enough and my kids have inexplicably grown out of every special holiday outfit I have ever purchased, no matter how recently: “There was nothing of high mark in this. They were not a handsome family; they were not well dressed; their shoes were far from being waterproof; their clothes were scanty; and Peter might have known, and very likely did, the inside of a pawnbroker’s. But, they were happy, grateful, pleased with one another, and contented with the time.” How much money and time do I waste trying to dress everyone up and serve the right food and have the right things, grasping at a pleasing, happy feeling during Christmastime? May I be as steady and simple as Mrs. Crachitt instead. Dickens is often skewered for being maudlin, an overly sentimental writer in a verbose and self-serious age. Victorian novelists are known for their stereotypical characters, fainting spells and jilted lovers, and Dickens loved a conniving Jew, a sick child and an evil industrial tycoon with the best of them. But what Dickens does, that many of his peers did not, is insert his own pathos into blatant sentimentality, never succumbing to the easy win of all storytellers, the short-hand of bad person, good person silliness. Scrooge is an unlikeable wealthy businessman, but he’s also a “tight-fisted hand

at the grindstone, Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner!” Dickens’ descriptions of Scrooge are so vivid that you see him, you hear his voice, you know exactly the kind of person he is portraying — it’s not a paint-by-number villain. Plus, Dickens isn’t making a caricature for sport — he is personally affronted by his own creation. You can hear it in the prose, his disgust with and dislike of this archetype. Alternatively, you read the tender grace offered to the imperfect souls surrounding Scrooge. Fred and Belle and Fan and Crachitt are not saints, they are not avatars of goodness. They are just people, imperfect and muddling along. They’re illustrations and evidence of grace, but they aren’t our heroes. The unlikely hero of the story, the character we’re meant to root for, is actually Christmas itself. Christmas, which comes with unmet expectations and frivolous spending, with the overcrowded streets and bad weather, with the failures and mistakes that we all make, all the time, is the hero, the shining city of Paradise, the goal to which the whole story points. A Christmas Carol does not argue that Christmas cures all ills or sets the world right by some mystical force. Dickens isn’t naive, he doesn’t believe that surprising the Crachitts with a Christmas turkey or overtipping a delivery boy will save anyone. But he is urging that the tiny acts of grace, which are made especially valuable at Christmas, the ways we choose generosity or kindness, the times we laugh instead of becoming angry, “because it’s a shame to quarrel on Christmas Day” are the way out, the path towards redemption. The Crachitts are not saved by a day, but rather by what the day represents. We are not saved by an act of kindness, but by over and

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over choosing a better way, a more generous way, lead there by a higher power, just as our flawed characters are lead to be the best versions of themselves in our midnight journey with the ghosts. “Knowing how to keep Christmas well” isn’t about the 25th of December or picking the perfect tree. It’s not about the gift budget or the party food. It’s about knowing that the ghosts of your past, present, and future are always here, whether you are aware of them or not. Someday I will look back at these Time4-Nichols Christmas carols, the joy and the heartbreak, and I will have to account for my choices within them. We will have the acute awareness that the friends we call, the cards we send, the charity we give, the choices we make, will accompany us always, from our past and into our future, just as our friendly ghosts have done. “A Christmas Carol” endures because of the humor and sweetness and

ghostliness of it, because of the skill Dickens used in crafting characters we never forget. But it also endures because we all need reminding of truth that never goes out of fashion the way waistcoats and petticoats do. Christmas is life in enhanced miniature, a magnifying glass to our foibles and features. In this season, petty slights and misunderstandings are heightened, but so are the feelings that maybe we should let it go, that perhaps life is too short for hate and anger. Christmas heightens joy and love: just watch any adult give a child a gift, or pop a bottle of champagne for a party, or walk into a roomful of friends. This season moves us, and sometimes, just like old Ebenezer, we need moving, whether we like it or not. “And therefore, Uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that [Christmas] has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!”

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Commentary...

Don’t downsize our favorites By Wendy Bachmeier Columnist

The older I get, the more I feel the urge to downsize. Sometimes, I just want to get rid of everything and start over with a clean slate. But, that’s hard to do with Christmas decorating. After Thanksgiving, I pulled out five boxes labeled “Christmas décor” from my garage. I was determined to separate out the things I can get rid of from the things I want to keep. But, every item I pulled out of those boxes was tied to a memory or a warm holiday feeling, and I couldn’t help but fill my house with them. And, it’s amazing how all of these favorite Christmas things transform my home and fill me with Christmas spirit. Still, I need to downsize. In just a few weeks, I’ll need to put all this stuff back into my garage. So, I decided to ask family and friends what their favorite Christmas decorations were, to help me make better decisions about what to keep. Here’s what I learned: Alani Troutman says he

loves the Christmas lights. “They give you the chance to embrace the season and admire the beauty people want to share with others.” His cousins Cameron and Bethany agree. The nativity is special to many kids. Daniel Ribeiro de Lima says, “I have a special place for the classic nativity in my heart ever since I was a kid.” The Frutos kids also love their nativity set. And Lisa Zapponi has a handmade nativity her kids made for her years ago that she puts out every year. Kamau Troutman says, “My favorite decoration has got to be the tree, especially if you put a train underneath it.” Grandma Baker loves the white lights on the tree and the little town she puts under it, which is what Malachi, her grandson, loves, too. The Frutos kids’ favorite decorations are the ornaments on their tree. Ornaments can be tiny reminders of years gone by. My friend, Holly Mapusaga, has some ornaments from her childhood, and even older than that, which are

Wishing you a Merry Christmas Holiday!

Thanks to all who bring me year-round joy in my real estate career — and in my daily community interactions. You are all special gifts to me!

very special family heirlooms. Teri Stratos has collected many ornaments over the years, as well as added new ones she and her husband, Steve, have been gifted or collected in their travels. My favorite story is from Robin Legg, our church decorator, who tells about the ugly pink ornaments her mom picked out one year. “In the early years, we always complained about the PINK, but after a while they became something to laugh about and even look forward to finding in the ornaments box. It wasn’t quite ‘Christmas’ until the pink ornaments had been fully reminisced over then carefully put on the tree. So much so that when we were cleaning out my parent’s house after they passed away, the one thing all of my sisters and I made sure to get out of the Christmas box to take home was a pink ornament.” Standing in my garage,

it’s hard to sort out what is just stuff to get rid of and what will become precious family heirlooms. L i g h t s , nativity set, Christmas tree, train, Christmas town, ornaments, etc. Looks like I’m keeping everything in those boxes after all.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY HOLLY MAPUSAGA

An antique ornament from Holly Mapusaga’s childhood.

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Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Obituaries Gerald “Jerry” Eugene Barney

McLane (Mike) Fisher, Jr. Passed December 13, 2025

McLane (Mike) Fisher, Jr. passed away on Saturday, December 13 at the age of 87. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to Betty Griswold Fisher and Louis McLane Fisher. He attended Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, graduated from Hampton Sydney College in Farmville, Virginia, and University of Virginia, and University of Oregon to receive his MBA. Most of his career was spent as CFO of CH2M-Hill, International Engineering Company. After retiring from CH2M, Mike served on the boards of several engineering companies, and formed his own consulting company, Quaere. Mike was a lover of nature, a bird hunter, and an accomplished fly fisherman, especially on the Big Horn River in Montana, the Deschutes, and the Metolious. He taught all of his children to love the sport. He was also crazy about Lacrosse and played into his ’70s. He was very proud of his Championship Medal from the World Games in Perth, Australia, in 2002. His love of the arts was

October 29,1954 — December 6, 2025

apparent in his large collection of paintings and bronze sculptures. He was a big fan of John Denver and used to sing and play his songs on his guitar. Mike is survived by his wife of 49 years, Sue Fisher, one daughter, Kathy Aschwald, three sons, Mark, Matt, and Andy; and two brothers, Alex and Este. He is also survived by one stepdaughter, Sonja Ponath; nine nieces and nephews; 13 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Betsy Fisher Gorman, stepson Rolf Hansen, stepdaughter Kirsten Hansen, and nephew Kirk Fisher. Memorial contributions can be sent to Sisters Habitat for Humanity or The Native Fish Society, POB 1536, Oregon City, OR 97045.

Gerald Barney, “Jerry,” was born in Stayton, Oregon, in 1954. He was raised in Sisters, and went to school in Sisters, as well as Haines, Alaska, and Redmond, Oregon. He lived in Redmond. Jerry served in the U.S. Navy for four years. He worked in construction as a truck driver and laborer. Jerry is survived by his mother, Jean Sproat of Redmond, and brother, Garry Barney of Yakima, Washington. Jerry was a member of the Redmond American Legion. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and outdoor activities. No services are planned at this time. Obituaries Policy: The Nugget Newspaper does not charge a fee to publish obituaries. Obituaries may be up to 400 words and include one photo. Obituary submissions must be received by 10 a.m. on Monday to editor@nuggetnews.com or hand delivered to 442 E. Main Ave., Sisters.

COOPER: Author is long-time Sisters resident Continued from page 11

Featured Author. Across its exhilarating, often darkly humorous chapters, “Miscalculated Risks” recounts Cooper ’s close brushes with death in the wild: • Mortally wounded in a Mexican jungle, 20 pathless miles from medical help. • Severely hypothermic on an isolated Oregon river,

battling 69 miles of rapids during a blizzard. • Deathly ill and out of water in sun-scorched desert. • And several more lifethreatening episodes that tested the limits of endurance, resolve, and luck. The memoir explores themes of wilderness survival, camaraderie, the lure of untouched landscapes, and the human drive to test boundaries — sometimes recklessly so. Learn more at www. MichaelCooperAdventurer. com. Book available at Paulina Springs Books.

NuggetNews.com

CORRECTION Due to an editorial error, the headline and lede on the story regarding community input on the Greater Sisters Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) was misleading. Sisters community members are asked to review the draft CWPP (https://www.deschutes.org/ forester, scroll down to the file name), not a wildfire map.

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Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Protests in Sisters

LETTERS

Continued from page 2

their 2-1 majority, DeBone and Adair set up Map C to strip all of us of the choice of how we would elect our commissioners. Bend has, according to the latest population survey, approximately 108,000 of the County’s approximately 214,000 population, or slightly more than half. Under Map C, however, Bend is squeezed into two of the five proposed districts, leaving the other three districts controlled by precincts that voted Republican in the 2024 general election — even though the Republican candidate lost that election in the County by more than 10 percent. Packing voters favoring one party into fewer districts, and letting the minority party control the majority of districts, is classic gerrymandering. That is what Map C does, as verified by independent experts. DeBone and Adair’s process suffers from at least one serious legal defect, as well. The law and practice is well established that districts get established by total population, but the process they directed for Map C uses voter registration counts instead. This approach, of course, leaves nonvoters (such as under-18s, or those who simply do not register) out of the equation entirely. By long-standing federal, state, and local law and tradition, it is population, not registered voters, that matters; every other Oregon county that has commissioner districts has followed that rule. I would like to hear from Carey Tosello exactly what issues he fears will be ignored if democracy prevails and gerrymandered Map C goes away. As for the rest of us, let’s all show up ready to speak on DeBone and Adair’s map at the hearing sessions on January 20 (6 p.m.) and 21 (9 a.m.), both at 1300 Wall St. in Bend. See you there! Mark Kelley

Merry Happy Holiday!

To the Editor: Dear Susan Carroll — Thank you for your December 17 opinion piece inviting feedback on you and your merry band of Saturday protesters gathered near the new roundabout. You asked what I think, so here it is. On the one hand, I’m almost envious that progressives can still rally a faithful handful week after week. Conservatives, by contrast, can barely drag themselves to the polls in offyear elections, let alone stand outdoors waving signs to complain about the government. On the other hand, it’s rather difficult to treat an existential threat to democracy with the gravity it supposedly deserves when your protesters are dressed up as giant frogs. I realize you old folks are trying to keep up with the youthful Portland protesters who popularized this trend, but it sure comes across as a lack of seriousness. So, when I drive past your little troupe, I feel no anger, just mild amusement, tinged with a touch of pity that you’re spending yet another precious Saturday this way instead of enjoying meaningful time with grandchildren or family. You see, Susan, conservatives have no desire to silence your right to protest. We simply don’t believe that you believe a word of what’s on those signs. If you truly saw unchecked executive power or threats to freedom as intolerable, you’d have been out there every weekend during the Clinton, Obama, and Biden years, when scandals, overreaches, and questionable activities abounded. But silence then, outrage now is curious timing. It rather suggests the objection isn’t to the policies themselves, but merely to the party label of the man implementing them. Only after Biden is safely out of office do the revelations pour forth confirming what conservatives noted from day one: his obvious debilitation. And we’re still waiting for the full Epstein files, but imagine how many photos of Bill Clinton might surface there. You may sincerely believe Trump is “Hitleresque,” but the rhetoric loses its punch when progressives have branded every Republican president since Nixon a fascist. Mitt Romney was Hitler. John McCain was Hitler. At this point, it’s less a warning than a tired script. Perhaps it’s time for your side to retire the playbook and try something fresh? As a fellow baby boomer, I’ve concluded we truly are among the most disappointing generations: quick to posture, slow on principle. We went from “tune in, turn on, drop out” to ruthless yuppies chasing the next dollar, and now, gray-haired and desperate, we’re back to playing aging hippies in the town square, clutching signs while fiercely guarding our nest eggs, while leaving future generations to clean up. So, to answer your question directly: I don’t care. Like so many others, I’ve simply tuned you out. Steve Woodside

To the Editor: At 68, I’m still attached to watching holiday movies and listening to old and new songs of the season. Not necessarily my most favorite movie, but the one that really sets the joy and love of this time, and the first one I watched this year is, “The Muppet’s Christmas Carol.” On the flip side is a series I have never watched, except one episode that was recommended. It was a “South Park” episode that centered around a major political figure. While I do not align with the satirized figure, it was so offensive, and disrespectful, I could not finish watching. I cannot imagine how anyone could present their image of someone else in that manner. However, going into one of my favorite Holiday movies, in the first song and the characterization of Mr. Scrooge, I had to laugh in my aware• Wildfire Fuels reduction ness of the matching videog• Wildfire CLeanup & Restoration raphy and words of the song, to how I see this same major • Debris Chipping & Mastication political figure. Do watch it • Forest Health Thinning and see if there is a connection for you, too. And have a little “...laugh, like a bowl full of jelly...” at a 1992 movie with Muppet’s singing, based upon a 1843 novella, matching a contemporary figure. And then while Call For A watching, shed a tear with Consultation: me as we listen to Tiny Tim sing, “Bless Us All.” 541-409-5404 Cheers to everyone, however you do or do not Will Moore celebrate. ISA Certified Arborist Scott Stoery LCB# 100129 &

Oregon Professional Logger 71395048

Nugget Poetry Corner Christmas! By Edie Jones

Slowly and steady it descends. Cold and crisp, as if to wake up our senses. Soon, the long wait will be over, and daylight will emerge. Christmas day – with its promise of joy, hope, peace, and love. For a time, each year, the world stops and organically embraces humanity. Oh, that it could last! Not the parties, caroling, concerts, and gift giving. Not the purchasing with abandum, or the feelings of loneliness or being forgotten. The promise that we sing about, the love that we generate, the joy abundant, the peace, and goodwill. May it last!

NO OTHER NAME I SEE: By Jenny Denzer

Gratitude, Goodness Gentleness and Grace When I turn my eyes Toward your loving face Faithful, Friend Forgiveness, Found I kneel in worship and wonder In awe of such a love profound Protector, Provider Prince of Peace To The One Who bore all my sin I surrender in sweet release Holy, Humble Helper, Healer Who gave His life for all mankind That on this Name I am a believer Righteous, Redeemer Ruler who Reigns Yet born in a lowly manger Who gave His life for our eternal gain Mighty, Majestic Merciful Master In Him alone perfect love is found With all my failings it does not matter Shepherd, Son Servant, our Savior Who was broken for our broken world Sacrificed by His Father, Lord and Creator Loving, Lamb Loyal and Lowly To Him alone I lift my hands As my heart cries out Holy, Holy, Holy His name is above every name In the Heavens and all the Earth He is called Emanuel, God with us As Mary said “yes” to His miraculous birth

“And you shall call His name Jesus” My one and only precious Son In His name alone is our hope and salvation Come to His open arms, see what He has done “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven which has been given among men by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12 Send submissions of original poetry to jess@nuggetnews. com for possible inclusion in a future issue of The Nugget. Publication is subject to space availability and discretion of The Nugget Newspaper. All poems copyright the author.

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Robbie McDougal retires By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

Robbie McDougal of Inverness saw his last day at St. Charles Health System December 10. The 11-yearold therapy dog logged over 20,000 patient, family, and staff visits during his career. He began at only 19 months of age, the youngest dog to enter the program at Asante, a three-hospital network in Southern Oregon. Robbie joined St. Charles in 2019. His work also includes greeting passengers and easing staff and TSA tensions at Redmond’s Roberts Field regional airport. “Robbie has been more than a therapy dog He’s been a source of comfort, joy, and healing for countless patients and staff. His gentle presence turned difficult days into moments of peace, reminding us of the power of unconditional love,” said Lee Copeland, St. Charles supervisor guest/volunteer services. “Caregivers, especially in the Same Day Unit, benefited greatly from his calming visits. We are deeply grateful for his years of service, and we also celebrate his wonderful, upbeat owner who made this journey possible,” Copeland continued. There are approximately 20 therapy dogs in the St. Charles system, three of

whom, including McDougal, cover the Redmond hospital. Robbie is a purebred Golden Retriever from Foxfire Goldens in Petaluma, California, a breeder known for producing exceptionally calm dogs, many of whom enter into volunteer service. Early in his career, Robbie was also a “Tail Waggin Tutor” at Ashland Elementary School. It’s a national program to provide a relaxed and “dog-friendly” atmosphere, which allows students to practice the skill of reading. Many of the children chosen for this program have difficulties reading and as a result have developed selfesteem issues. They are often self-conscious when reading aloud in front of other classmates. By sitting next to a dog and reading to the dog, all threats of being judged are put aside. The child relaxes, pats the attentive dog, and focuses on the reading. Reading improves because the child is practicing the skill of reading, building self-esteem, and associating reading with something pleasant. His name is derived from the origin of Golden Retrievers — Scotland. The Golden Retriever is a breed of medium-large size characterized by a gentle and affectionate nature and a long, striking golden coat. It is known to be

even tempered, intelligent, and easy to train. They are legendary as guide dogs for the blind, deaf, and disabled. The U.S. has over 50,000 of these specialized animals providing comfort and emotional support in various environments from hospitals to schools to prisons and jails, Therapy dogs are trained to interact with people to help alleviate anxiety, loneliness, and stress. McDougal is one of a handful of certified therapy dogs in Sisters who rotate in service. More are needed as the demand exceeds the supply. If interested, search online for Alliance of Therapy Dogs or Pet Partners, two certifying agencies recognized by St. Charles and various health care operators in Central Oregon. “Robbie was one of the very few dogs who could tolerate 2 North,” said Roberta Collins a nurse in the unit. 2 North in Medford is a locked behavioral health facility at Rogue Regional Medical Center. The 22-bed psychiatric unit often has patients with boundary issues, hallucinatory or severe depression or suicidal tendencies. “Most dogs lasted only a few weeks or months quickly unable to cope with the complexity of patient moods,” Collins said. “Goofy, loveable Robbie just rolled with it,

PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT

Robbie McDougal has retired after logging thousands of hours visiting patients. He has many friends among EMTs and police officers. twice a week for three years before he moved to Sisters. It was more than therapeutic; it was life changing in many cases for the patients.” At St. Charles Redmond, Robbie has full run of the hospital except surgery and radiology, including the Emergency Department and Intensive Care. Redmond is an active emergency environment with 14 beds and the dog is particularly in touch with patients admitted for addiction withdrawal, self-harming, or chronic depression. He’s friends with all of the Redmond’s EMT staff and

many in its police department. Goodbyes that day were a mix of laughter, play, and tears as he made his rounds collecting a host of gifts including Mr. Pickle, the twofoot plush mascot of the outpatient surgery unit. Now white in the face and with a bit of arthritis, McDougal will content himself with even more walks in the woods and dips in the nearest pool of water or his favorite activity — snow bathing. Editor note: Robbie is handled by Bill Bartlett, the writer of this story.

The Nugget Newspaper...

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• Pick up a FREE print copy of The Nugget at locations throughout Sisters, and at select locations in Black Butte Ranch, Camp Sherman, Tumalo, and Redmond. • Have the paper delivered to your mailbox. Subscription costt 0, covers postage and handling. $55/year inside 97759, 97730, 97703, 97759, $70/year all other zip codes. Subscribe at www.nuggetnews.com/subscribe or call 541-549-9941. • Read the digital version for FREE. Looks just like the print edition but read the PDF on your eReader or computer. Email jess@nuggetnews.com to be added to the list. m • Read stories online at NuggetNews.com — most stories from the paper are free to read. Visit NuggetNews.com anytime! • Read ALL the stories online at NuggetNews.com with an online subscription. Supports community journalism and gives you access to extra content, behind the scenes, and more. $50/year; visit NuggetNews.com/subscribe. • Substack...Search for “Nugget From A Small Town” by Jim Cornelius to read more from your favorite Editor in Chief!

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Whychus Creek in flood...

Whychus Creek ran high through the canyon where the Flat Fire burned last summer. It is unclear at this time how much erosion was caused by the waters moving through burned areas. PHOTO BY DON LICHVARCIK

Deschutes County Search and Rescue personnel filled sandbags from a sand pile sited on Main Avenue by the City of Sisters. They transported them out into the Buck Run neighborhood, where residents were impacted by flooding.

Creek water spilled out across the area where the old Peterson Ridge Trailhead was located on Tyee Drive. PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS

PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS

Whychus Creek crested at about 2 a.m. on Friday, December 19. The flow was intense enough to wash away firewood piles and carry logs along in the freshet. PHOTO BY ERIN BORLA

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

The Nugget Newspaper Crossword

PHOTO BY KRIS KRISTOVICH

Whychus Creek flowed out into its historic floodplain last week after hours of steady rain.

PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS

Search and Rescue personnel and neighborhood volunteers placed sandbags around garages and outbuildings where floodwaters were running in. This Week’s Crossword Sponsors

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Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

C L A S S I F I E D S

ALL advertising in this newspaper is 102 Commercial Rentals subject to the Fair Housing Act STORAGE WITH BENEFITS which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or • 8 x 20 dry box discrimination based on race, color, • Fenced yard, RV & trailers religion, sex, handicap, familial • In-town, gated, 24-7 status or national origin, or an EWDevcoLLC@gmail.com intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimMINI STORAGE ination.” Familial status includes Sisters Rental children under the age of 18 living 331 W. Barclay Drive with parents or legal custodians, 541-549-9631 pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. Sizes 5x5 to 15x30 and outdoor This newspaper will not knowingly RV parking. 7-day access. accept any advertising for real estate Computerized security gate. which is in violation of the law. Our Moving boxes & supplies. readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal 103 Residential Rentals opportunity basis. To complain of FOR RENT BY OWNER discrimination call HUD toll-free at Apartment, ground floor, 1200 sf, 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free 2 bd (both w/ en suite ba). All telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. appliances including W/D, fully CLASSIFIED RATES furnished, all utilities included COST: $3.50 per line for first (electric, water, internet & cable). insertion, $2.50 per line for each 2 parking spots. 2 miles west of additional insertion to 9th week, high school. Max 2 occupants + $1.50 per line 10th week and beyond 1 dog, No smoking on property. (identical ad/consecutive weeks). Also included in The Nugget online $2,000/mo. + $500 deposit. classifieds at no additional charge. Full credit check. Avail. 1/6/25. There is a minimum $5 charge for Call or text, 503-789-6919 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 CASCADE HOME & approval of The Nugget classified PROPERTY RENTALS department. NOTE: Legal notices Monthly Rentals throughout placed in the Public Notice section Sisters Country. are charged at the display advertising rate. 541-549-0792 DEADLINE: FRIDAY AT 5 PM Property management preceding Wednesday publication. for second homes. PLACEMENT & PAYMENT: CascadeHomeRentals.com Office, 442 E. Main Ave. Phone, 541-549-9941 or place online at PONDEROSA PROPERTIES NuggetNews.com. Payment is due –Monthly Rentals Available– upon placement. Major credit cards Call Debbie at 541-549-2002 accepted with a 3% processing fee. Full details, 24 hrs./day, go to: Billing available for continuously run classified ads, after prepayment of PonderosaProperties.com first four weeks. Printed list at 178 S. Elm, Sisters CATEGORIES: Ponderosa Properties LLC 101 Real Estate 102 Commercial Rentals 104 Vacation Rentals 103 Residential Rentals Downtown Vacation Rentals 104 Vacation Rentals 106 Real Estate Wanted Popular 1 and 2 Bedroom 107 Rentals Wanted SistersVacationRentals.net 200 Business Opportunities Great pricing. 503-730-0150 201 For Sale 202 Firewood 201 For Sale 203 Recreation Equipment 204 Arts & Antiques 2009 VESPA GTS 250ie scooter 205 Garage & Estate Sales $3,250 obo. Call 541-350-2262. 206 Lost & Found 207 The Holidays 202 Firewood 301 Vehicles 302 Recreational Vehicles NEW DISCOUNT PRICES 401 Horses SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS 402 Livestock DAVE ELPI – FIREWOOD 403 Pets • SINCE 1976 • 500 Services 501 Computer Services Fuel Reduction Forestry 502 Carpet Upholstery Cleaning Doug Fir – Lodgepole – 503 Appliance Repair & Refinish Hardwood – Juniper – Fir 504 Handyman DRIVE-IN WOOD SALES 505 Auto Repair – 18155 Hwy. 126 East – 600 Tree Service & Forestry 601 Construction SistersForestProducts.com 602 Plumbing & Electric Order Online! 541-410-4509 603 Excavations & Trucking 604 Heating & Cooling 205 Garage & Estate Sales 605 Painting 606 Landscaping & Yard Maint. Happy Trails Estate Sales 607 Irrigation and online auctions! 701 Domestic Services Selling, Downsizing, or Deaths? 702 Sewing Locally owned & operated by... 703 Child Care Daiya 541-480-2806 704 Events & Event Services 801 Classes & Training Sharie 541-771-1150 802 Help Wanted 803 Work Wanted 301 Vehicles 901 Wanted We Buy, Sell, Consign Quality 902 Personals 999 Public Notice Cars, Trucks, SUVs & RVs ~

Call Jeff at 541-815-7397 Sisters Car Connection da#3919 SistersCarConnection.com

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

CLASSIC CAR STORAGE! Oversized, lights/power, $275/m • 541-419-2502

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

504 Handyman

3 Sisters Handyman Services 20+ years experience No job too large or small. 401 Horses Snow removal services available. • Wildfire Fuels reduction ORCHARD GRASS HAY Licensed, Bonded, and Insured • Debris Chipping/Mastication ALFALFA Call Nate 907-748-4100 • Forest Health Thinning TRITICALE sistershandyman@gmail.com • Wildfire Cleanup & Restoration New 2025 crop. Barn stored. CCB# 253556 • Tree Removal 3-tie bales. $240-$340/ton. Hwy. AlpenGlow Will Moore, 541-409-5404 126 & Cline Falls. 541-280-1895 Handyman Services ISA Certified Arborist

403 Pets

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

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

Small & Large Jobs (1hr–2wks) 20+ Years Experience CCB#180099 Call/Text: 541-728-8607 AlpenGlowHandymanServices. com • Credit Cards Accepted

600 Tree Service & Forestry

500 Services

SMALL Engine REPAIR Lawn Mowers, Chainsaws & Trimmers Sisters Rental 331 W. Barclay Drive 541-549-9631 Authorized service center for Stihl, Honda, Ariens/Gravely, Cub Cadet, Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, Kawasaki Engines

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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

601 Construction

CASCADE VALLEY CONTRACTING, LLC General Contractor CCB#180099 Custom Remodels • Additions • Decks • Firewise Upgrades 4 Brothers Tree Service 20+ Years Licensed, Bonded, Sisters' Premier Tree Experts! CUSTOM WINDOW Insured. Call/Text 541-728-8607 – TREE REMOVAL & COVERINGS CLEANUP – SPURGE COCHRAN Bend Window Works, LLC Native / Non-Native Tree BUILDER, INC. is offering a 10% discount on Assessments, Pruning, High-Risk General Contractor new window coverings. FREE Removals, 24 Hr. Emergency Building Distinctive, in-home consultation. Same day Storm Damage Cleanup, Handcrafted Custom Homes, in-home repair services available. Craning & Stump Grinding, Additions, Remodels, Cabin New and repaired blinds make Debris Removal. Renovations Since ’74 rentals look better! Contact us at – FOREST MANAGEMENT – A “Hands-On” Builder 541-383-2455 or Fire Fuels Reduction - Brush Keeping Your Project on Time andy@bendblinds.com. Mowing, Mastication, Tree & On Budget • CCB #96016 Thinning, Large & Small Scale To speak to Spurge personally, Projects! call 541-815-0523 Serving Black Butte Ranch, Camp Sherman & Sisters Area since 2003 ** Free Estimates ** Owner James Hatley & Sons 541-815-2342 Construction & Renovation 4brostrees.com Junk removal, new home, Custom Residential Projects Licensed, Bonded and Insured garage & storage clean-out, All Phases • CCB #148365 CCB-215057 construction, yard debris. 541-420-8448 You Call – We Haul! 541-719-8475 • DERI’s HAIR SALON • Call 541-419-1279

SUDOKU Level: Difficult

Answer: Page 11

501 Computers & Communications

3 Sisters TeleNetworks, LLC Audio/video, data networking, WIFI, security camera, alarms. CCB #191099 541-306-0729

502 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

GORDON’S LAST TOUCH Cleaning Specialists for CARPETS, WINDOWS & UPHOLSTERY Member Better Business Bureau • Bonded & Insured • Serving Central Oregon Since 1980 Call 541-549-3008 www.NuggetNews.com YOUR SOURCE for news up-to-date!

Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down, and each small nine-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

C L A S S I F I E D S 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

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

602 Plumbing & Electric

BANR Enterprises, LLC Earthwork, Utilities, Grading, Hardscape, Rock Walls Residential & Commercial CCB #165122 • 541-549-6977 www.BANR.net

Earthwood Timber • Recycled fir and pine beams • Mantels and accent timbers • Sawmill/woodshop services ewdevcollc@gmail.com

Electrical Service & Repair Est. 1947, CCB#54572 Local in Sisters 503-357-2146

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

Custom Homes Additions - Remodels Residential Building Projects Becke William Pierce CCB# 190689 • 541-647-0384 Beckewpcontracting@gmail.com — Serving Sisters Since 2010 —

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

ROBINSON & OWEN Heavy Construction, Inc. All your excavation needs *General excavation *Site Preparation *Sub-Divisions *Road Building *Sewer and Water Systems *Underground Utilities *Grading *Sand-Gravel-Rock Licensed • Bonded • Insured CCB #124327 541-549-1848

Ridgeline Electric, LLC Serving all of Central Oregon • Residential • Commercial • Industrial • Service 541-588-3088 • CCB #234821

Commercial • Residential • Industrial • Remodels • Generators • Hot tubs/Saunas monteselectric@hotmail.com CCB#200030 • 541-480-9860

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

A 63-year tradition for Sisters www.georges-septic-service.com SWEENEY PLUMBING, INC. “Quality and Reliability” Repairs • Remodeling • New Construction • Water Heaters 541-549-4349 Residential and Commercial Licensed • Bonded • Insured CCB #87587

603 Excavation & Trucking Full Service Excavation

Free On-site Visit & Estimate Tewaltandsonsexcavation@gmail .com 541-549-1472 • CCB #76888 CASCADIA DESIGN BUILD Drainfield Remodel / Renovate / Repair • Minor & Major Septic Repair Full home remodel, little home • All Septic Needs/Design fixes, and everything in between. & Install cascadiadesignbuildllc.com General Excavation 541-974-2282 • Site Preparation CASCADE GARAGE DOORS • Rock & Stump Removal Factory Trained Technicians • Pond & Driveway Construction Since 1983 • CCB #44054 Preparation 541-548-2215 • 541-382-4553 • Building Demolition Trucking • Deliver Top Soil, Sand, Gravel, Boulders, Water • Dump Trucks, Transfer Trucks, Belly Pat Burke • The Whole 9 Yards or 24 LOCALLY OWNED Whatever You Want! CRAFTSMAN BUILT – Advertise with The Nugget – CCB: 228388 • 541-588-2062 541-549-9941 www.sistersfencecompany.com

604 Heating & Cooling

Sisters, Oregon's Exclusive HVAC Service Residential & Commercial Heating • Ductless Air Conditioning • Maintenance Installation • Repair 541-588-5667 SistersHeatingAir.com

ACTION AIR Heating & Cooling, LLC Retrofit • New Const • Remodel Consulting, Service & Installs actionairheatingandcooling.com CCB #195556 541-549-6464

through 279C.870 regarding payment of prevailing wages. Bidders must be registered with the Construction Contractors Board (ORS 701.055) or the bid will not be received or considered. Published December 24, 2025.

Complete landscape construction, fencing, irrigation installation & design, pavers/outdoor kitchens, debris cleanups, fertility & water conservation management, IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR excavation. THE STATE OF OREGON CCB #188594 • LCB #9264 FOR THE COUNTY OF www.vohslandscaping.com DESCHUTES 541-515-8462 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GRETCHEN JENNIFER KENTNER, DECEASED CASE NUMBER: 25PB10174 NOTICE TO INTERESTED Eastern Cascade Solutions PERSONS Landscaping & Construction NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN www.easterncascadesolutions. that Jonathan R. Hiatt has been com • 541-233-7195 appointed Personal LCB #9958 • CCB #222039 Representative. All persons having claims against the estate 701 Domestic Services are required to present them to I & I Crystal Cleaning, LLC the Personal Representative, c/o Specializing in Commercial, Freeman Green, Freeman Green Residential & Vacation Rentals. Law, 525 Glen Creek Rd NW, Licensed, Bonded & Insured. Suite 200, Salem, OR 97304, 541-977-1051 within four months after the date of publication of this notice, or BLAKE & SON – Commercial, the claims may be barred. All Home & Rentals Cleaning persons whose rights may be WINDOW CLEANING! affected by the proceedings may Lic. & Bonded • 541-549-0897 obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the 999 Public Notice Personal Representative, or the CITY OF SISTERS attorney for the Personal WELL #3 STANDBY Representative. GENERATOR Published on December 24, 2025. Bids due 2:00 pm,

January 13, 2026 PUBLIC NOTICE FOR A INVITATION TO BID CATEGORICAL Sealed bids for the construction EXCLUSION of the City of Sisters, WELL #3 The Oregon Health Authority 605 Painting STANDBY GENERATOR, Drinking Water Services has ~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~ addressed to the City Recorder, determined that the proposed Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. City of Sisters, Oregon, will be drinking water distribution Refurbishing Decks received until 2:00 PM local time system facilities improvements CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620 at City Hall, 520 E. Cascade for the Tollgate Water Company www.frontier-painting.com Avenue, P.O. Box 39, Sisters, conform to the criteria and Oregon, on Tuesday, January requirements of Oregon Interior/Exterior 13, 2026, and then publicly Administrative Rules Painting opened and read at 2:00 PM at 333-061-0063 and the supporting Deck Refinishing City Hall, in Sisters, Oregon. environmental review process Jacob deSmet Bids shall be clearly labeled: guidance manual. The project, 503-559-9327 WELL #3 STANDBY which involves installing water peakperformancepainting1@ GENERATOR. meters and replacing A/C piping, gmail.com • CCB#243491 Improvements generally include is therefore categorically EMPIRE PAINTING the installation of a new standby excluded from further Interior and Exterior Painting generator at the existing Well #3 environmental review under the and Staining building, construction of a Drinking Water Revolving Loan CCB#180042 concrete foundation adjoining the Fund program as allowed in the 541-613-1530 • Geoff Houk existing building, fencing and above referenced rules. A copy of stone veneer enclosure the Categorical Exclusion and 606 Landscaping & Yard construction, installation of a information upon which it is Maintenance control panel and variable based is available for public frequency drive within the well viewing at: building, incorporation of Oregon Health Authority SCADA and Telemetry Drinking Water Services improvements for the new 800 NE Oregon Street; Suite 640 Keeping Sisters Country equipment, and appurtenant Portland, Oregon 97232 Beautiful Since 2006 improvements at E Sun Ranch (971) 673-0405 candcnursery@gmail.com Drive in Sisters, Oregon. Additional copies are available 541-549-2345 The invitation to bid, plans, for review at: All Landscaping Services specifications, addenda, and Tollgate Water Company Mowing, Thatching, Hauling notification of bid results for this 15004 Saddle, Sisters, OR 97759 Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740 project may be viewed at Sisters (541) 549-7962 City Hall at 520 E Cascade – All You Need Maintenance – BBR RFPD Avenue, Sisters, OR 97759; or Pine needle removal, hauling, Meeting Date Change printed or ordered online from snow removal, moss removal, The regularly scheduled board Premier Builders Exchange at lawn care, weeding, pruning, meeting for December has been http://www.premierbx.com. roofs, gutters, pressure washing. canceled due to the holidays. There will be no Pre-Bid Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169 Questions? Call (541) 595-2288 Conference for the WELL #3 Austin • 541-419-5122 UPLOADED STANDBY GENERATOR. STEVE'S HAULING EVERY TUESDAY! This project is subject to the Yard and other debris, The Nugget Newspaper provisions of ORS 279C.800 landscaping services, chain saw C L A S S I F I E D S are at work, etc. 707-328-8370 www.NuggetNews.com

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

BLACK BUTTE RANCH

71059 Bracken Lane | GH 91A

69440 Crooked Horseshoe RD

1166 NW Redfield Circle | bend

5 BD | 4 BA | 4,401 SF | 0.48 AC $2,495,000

4 BD | 3 BA | 4,016 SF | 5.62 AC $1,995,000

5 BD | 4 BA | 3,509 SF | 0.95 AC $1,595,000

pending!

BLACK BUTTE RANCH

BLACK BLACK BUTTE BUTTE RANCH RANCH

70305 Arvensis, GM 348

13699 Speedwell | Gm 90

70786 Blazing Star | RR 64

4 bd | 3 ba | 3,268 SF | 1.05 AC $1,550,000

4 BD | 4 BA | 2,939 SF | .48 AC $1,395,000

3 bd | 3 ba | 2,897 SF | .54 AC $1,395,000

BLACK BUTTE RANCH

70266 Sorrell Drive

13579 Sundew | Sm 34

1060 N. Bluebird St.

1 BD | 2 BA | 1,101 SF | 2.08 AC $1,095,000

3 bd | 2 ba | 1,824 SF | .41 AC $895,000

3 BD | 2 BA | 1,798 SF | .13 AC $848,000

pending!

242 W. Lundgren Mill DRive

1004 E. Horse Back Trail

16630 Wilt Rd.

3 BD | 2 BA | 1,972 SF | .13 AC $790,000

3 BD | 3 BA | 2,173 SF | 0.1 AC $759,000

80 acres borders NTl. forest $595,000

923 E. Cascade Ave.

513 S. Pine Meadow Street

3 BD | 2.5 BA | 1,640 SF $459,000

.16 acres $395,000

PONDEROSA PROPERTIES

Happy Holidays! Phil Arends | Principal Broker

541.420.9997

phil@arendsrealtygroup.com

LLC

178 S. Elm St., Ste. 102/103, Sisters | arendsrealtygroup.com 17

Thomas Arends | Broker

541.285.1535

thomas@arendsrealtygroup.com