The Nugget Newspaper // Vol. XLVIII No. 34 // 2025-08-20 by Nugget Newspaper

InHealth&Well-being PULL-OUT RESOURCE SECTION

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

The Nugget

News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Fate of Red Rock sculpture is unclear

The fate of a proposed Western sculpture crafted to sit atop the Locust Street/ Highway 20 roundabout is as uncertain as an eight-second ride on a bucking bull.

In an August 13 workshop, a majority of City Councilors left the impression that they were rejecting a proposal that would have placed a 1.5 life-size bronze of legendary rodeo bull Red Rock ridden by Lane Frost in a 1988 event at Sisters Rodeo Grounds. The work of art would be cast replicating a painting called “The Match” by Sisters artist and former cowboy, Dyrk Godby.

However, no formal or final decisions can be made at a workshop, and councilors later insisted that they had not rejected any art.

Approximately 80 citizens filled council chambers and listened as councilors gave their rationale for not supporting the piece that was out of budget by as much as $200,000 — an amount that was to have been made up by an anonymous donor.

Councilors, led by Gary Ross, cited safety as a major concern fearful that in the Instagram selfie world, careless photo seekers would be injured crossing the roundabout to have their photo taken with the bull and rider.

Art procurement can be complicated

By Susan Cobb Correspondent

Sisters is working on refining how it selects and procures public art.

In the August 13 Sisters City Council workshop, Assistant City Manager Kerry Prosser asked if Council would like City staff to make updates and/or revisions to the 2020 Sisters Public Art Program. Council discussed and directed staff to do so. The revised document will be brought to a future council workshop.

City Manager Jordan Wheeler noted that part of the current plan is to increase public art in the City of Sisters. With that in mind, the City plans to build pedestals for art starting with one in front of City Hall, and three to five more elsewhere,

including at the Sisters Gateway Park and Transport Hub. The pedestals could accommodate rotating art works; durations of rotations, etc., to be determined once a permanent Public Art Board or Committee is established.

Seeking progress on the Locust Roundabout art procurement process, Prosser presented to Council seven options for moving forward. After discussion, the Council opted to moved forward on an option to simply install landscaping for the time being.

The Nugget requested clarity regarding the premeeting reading materials and art acquisition processes. Mayor Jennifer Letz and Councilor Cheryl Pellerin offered insights.

City snapshot: getting the work done

By Susan Cobb Correspondent

While controversy over roundabout art dominated conversation around the Sisters City Council’s August 13 workshop and meeting, Councilors also proceeded with the business of the City. The consent agenda included the following items which were unanimously approved by Council to:

Council acknowledged that their decision would be controversial. Each claimed to like the art itself but, except for an impassioned plea by Councilor Michael Preedin, each said they wanted to see the art located elsewhere on

public or private property.

Mayor Jennifer Letz told The Nugget “There was no vote specifically on the Red Rock proposal as no new public art selection process is currently open for the

See SCULPTURE on page 19

• Accept the public water and sewer improvements for Woodlands Phase III. The infrastructure is ready for perpetual ownership by the City to assure operation and maintenance and so begins a one-year warranty period. The infrastructure includes; water system, sewer system, street subgrade and base rock, drainage facilities, etc. These are “substantially

See CITY on page 18

Another small fire offers warning

The second small, humancaused fire near Sisters again points up the danger of fire in the community.

Firefighters from the Oregon Department of Forestry and U.S. Forest Service swiftly knocked down a small fire off Highway 20 on Tuesday, August 12, mere days after a similar blaze was quelled along the 100 spur road near Pine Street. Both blazes were human caused. The Highway 20 fire is under investigation. The fire near the spur road is of undetermined origin.

Temperatures are expected to climb into the 90s as Sisters Country heads into the weekend, with dry conditions ripe for fire starts. Fire officials warn people camping, working, or recreating in the woods to be extremely careful about the potential for starting a fire.

Some outdoor activities are prone to start fires such

as equipment use, grilling, burning yard debris, and dragging trailer chains. In an effort to prevent these fires from starting, the public is reminded to check and follow current fire restrictions.

Information for restrictions on private lands can be found by visiting Oregon Department of Forestry: Restrictions & closures: Fire:

on page 18

A small blaze on the northeast side of Highway 20 not far from Tollgate was quickly quelled by firefighters on August 12. Fire danger will be extreme through the coming days.

PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS

“The Match,” based on a concept drawing by Sisters artist Dyrk Godby, depicts the 1988 contest between legendary bull rider Lane Frost and the unridden bull Red Rock, raised in Sisters. The concept has been proposed as art for the Locust Street/Highway 20 Roundabout.

PHOTO BY SUSAN COBB

OPINION

Editorial…

Take the bull by the horns

The Sisters City Council needs to be clear about what its intentions are regarding the placement of a sculpture depicting Lane Frost’s 1988 ride on the bucking bull Red Rock on the Locust Street/Highway 20 roundabout (see story, page 1)

While it is true that no formal or final decision on any matter can be made in a workshop, the Council left the very clear impression on the vast majority of attendees at the August 13 workshop that they do not want to place that sculpture — titled “The Match” — in that location. Yet in the aftermath, they insist that they did not reject the sculpture.

So… is the sculpture on the table, or off? What should be the next steps for its proponents, if any?

This process has been frustrating. Two calls for artists didn’t produce art that interested the public. Now the public is very interested — but divided.

Mayor Jennifer Letz says that the City “must follow a consistent process when public funds are involved, ensuring all submissions are evaluated using the same criteria.” That is absolutely correct. “The Match” was submitted twice and did not meet budget criteria, and is now being submitted outside any process with private funding to bring it within budget constraints.

That poses a problem for the Council in making a decision in a fair, consistent, transparent process.

The Councilors could have made a third call for artists and encouraged the proponents of the Red Rock sculpture to submit the piece again. Or they could have asked that they wait until the City adopts a current art procurement process and policy. They could have listened to public input without weighing in.

That’s not what they did, though.

Four of the five Councilors weighed in, in opposition to placing the statue on the roundabout. There was some consideration of placing it elsewhere, maybe, at some point, but no commitment to do so.

The Councilors had to know that their response would be taken as a slap in the face by proponents of the sculpture, many of whom have been contributing members of the Sisters

SEE

community for decades, people who cleave to the values of grit, determination, and resilience that the sculpture represents.

Here you have a sculpture created by a long-time, highly regarded Sisters artist, depicting a spectacular, epic event in the history of Sisters, with private funding available to make it pencil — one that conforms perfectly to Sisters’ Western Theme.

The Sisters Country Vision Statement states that:

“Sisters Country proudly stands at a pivotal moment in its history – with a past we choose to honor, a present we seek to improve, and a future we aspire to create that is uniquely and positively our own. We honor and strive to maintain our spectacular natural environment, our small town feel, the experience of caring and belonging, our outstanding schools, and our Western identity (emphasis added).

You need a pretty compelling rationale — and a better alternative — if you’re going to argue that “The Match” doesn’t belong at the east entrance to the city.

Councilors cited safety concerns. That’s a specious rationale, and not credible. The Barclay Roundabout has boulders that might entice some reckless soul to clamber on them, and the elk and antelope are dressed up like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer during the holidays — practically inviting people to traipse out for a selfie. Yet no one seems to be concerned about the safety of that installation. There is clearly division in Sisters over what symbols should represent the community. If a majority of the City Councilors simply do not want a bull rider to represent the spirit of Sisters in that location, they need to be forthright and say so.

But if that is the case, they also need to take a good hard look at their own code and the community vision statement that extols our Western identity, and ask the community to decide who we want to be now.

Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR AND MORE OPINION ON PAGE 6.

The Nugget Newspaper, LLC

www.nuggetnews.com | 541-549-9941

442 E. Main Ave., P.O. Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759

Postmaster: Send address changes to The Nugget Newspaper, PO Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759. 3rd Class Postage Paid at Sisters, OR.

The Nugget is available to pick up free at The Nugget office and at businesses throughout Sisters and Tumalo; mail subscriptions are available in the 97759, 97756, 97730, and 97703 zip codes for $55/year; subscriptions outside these zip codes: $70/year, $45/six months (or less).

Editor in Chief & Co-owner: Jim Cornelius, editor@nuggetnews.com

Community Marketing Partner: Kimberly Young, ads@nuggetnews.com

Classifieds, Circulation, Proofreading: Kema Clark, nugget@nuggetnews.com

Graphic Design, Billing: Leith Easterling, accounting@nuggetnews.com

Creative Director: Jess Draper, jess@nuggetnews.com

Co-owner: J. Louis Mullen

Red Rock belongs here

By Brian Greig Guest Columnist

I write today with firm conviction on behalf of a broad and deeply invested cross-section of the Sisters community — ranchers, loggers, artists, business owners, families, rodeo supporters, and lifelong residents alike — who are united in their concern over the City Council’s continued resistance to the proposed installation of the Red Rock bronze honoring Lane Frost.

At the recent city council workshop, more than 100 local residents took time out of their lives to stand in vocal and unwavering support of this project. This was not a small group of hobbyists or outsiders. These were your constituents — community members who embody the history, values, and livelihood of Sisters. Their message was unmistakable: this sculpture is not a divisive issue. It is a unifying symbol of who we are.

The Red Rock bronze, as proposed at the roundabout, is more than public art. It would be a visual anchor and cultural statement — a permanent, dignified welcome to all who enter Sisters. Placing it at the town’s primary gateway sends a message of authenticity and pride. He was the Secretariat of bulls. It honors not just rodeo, but the entire Western legacy that this town was built upon.

It is also, without question, the perfect piece of art for this place — not only because of its striking craftsmanship and cultural symbolism that is created by a local Sisters artist, but because it reflects the exact values this community holds sacred: strength, grit, and legacy. This sculpture doesn’t just fit the space; it belongs here. It was made for a town like Sisters, and Sisters was made for art like this.

This isn’t theoretical. Red Rock was a member of the Sisters community. The legendary bucking bull was raised here and lived his initial years on a local ranch, becoming part of the very land and story we now seek to honor. To memorialize Red Rock at the town’s entrance is to honor something profoundly local— something personal, not abstract.

The rodeo tradition in

Sisters is not a novelty or side attraction, it is foundational. For over 85 years, the Sisters Rodeo has stood as a centerpiece of culture, commerce, and community. Its growth to six performances in 2025 is the result of sustained demand, regional relevance, and timeless appeal.

The deeper story here is not only about rodeo, but about fairness — one of the sport’s most defining qualities. In 1957, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), in partnership with the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), became the first professional sport in the United States to offer equal payout to men and women. This pioneering milestone predates similar movements in most major U.S. sports and exemplifies rodeo’s longstanding commitment to merit and integrity.

The Red Rock bronze captures that ethos. It speaks to, strength, resilience, and local pride. That’s why the community has rallied behind it — not out of nostalgia, but out of recognition. Recognition that our identity as a Western town deserves to be celebrated publicly, proudly, and permanently.

Yet despite this overwhelming support, the Council’s response has been silence, resistance, or deflection. We are deeply troubled by the attempt to reframe this installation as anything other than what it is: a tribute to our town’s history, our values, and one of our own.

This is your opportunity to do more than approve a sculpture. It’s your opportunity to affirm the identity of a town built by ranchers, loggers, artists, riders, families, and visionaries— people who understood that our Western values are not political statements, but deeply human ones: grit, freedom, and fortitude. We respectfully urge you to align your decisions with the will of the people you represent. The message could not be clearer: Sisters wants this. It belongs here. The time to act with courage and clarity is now.

The Red Rock bronze stands at our roundabout not as a controversy, but as a welcome — an emblem of every community member, child, rancher, artist, logger, rodeo fan, and visitor who enters Sisters.

Kevin Formalarie pulls a pizza from his home oven — one of dozens he makes each Saturday.

Sisters Rodeo honors volunteers

A pizza party is a pretty sure-fire way of bringing people together. Especially when it’s pizza fired up in an oven in your neighbor’s garage, and you get to enjoy it while visiting with your neighbors. Every Saturday, almost without exception.

That’s the neighborhood vibe that Kevin and Jessie Formalarie have created in their McKenzie Meadows Village neighborhood.

Every Saturday, for the past year-and-a-half, they have welcomed their neighbors over for pizza, which Kevin bakes in a propane fired specialty pizza oven in his garage.

Bringing a neighborhood together — one pizza at a time

“We supply the standards,” he told The Nugget “Pepperoni, cheese… the pizza of course.”

Neighbors often bring their own choice of toppings. Kevin fires up pizza after pizza; on an average Saturday, he’ll produce 30 to 40 16-inch pies. “Pizza Day” has become a neighborhood ritual.

“Every Saturday, I come home from my mountain bike ride and start making a bunch of dough,” Kevin said.

If someone wants to learn his technique, he’s happy to show them.

They have about 30 regulars from around the neighborhood.

“It’s like a family dinner every Saturday,” Jessie said.

The convivial gathering has enhanced a neighborhood feeling that is rare these days — a throwback to an older way of American living. Jessie said that they’ve hosted a 50th birthday party and engagement parties.

“We’re lucky enough to know basically all of our immediate neighbors really well,” Jessie said. “No one feels like they’re unappreciated. People borrow tools from each other. We’ve lived in so many neighborhoods, and never had anything like this… this is like everyone’s ‘third place.’”

Kids roam around at ease, and everybody keeps

Last Saturday night the Board of Directors of Sisters Rodeo hosted their annual appreciation banquet to recognize volunteers. Some 185 of 200 volunteers attended the event held at Red Rock Hall on the rodeo grounds. They were treated to a sumptuous Tex-Mex menu catered by Luckey’s Woodsman in Sisters.

Early in the evening much of the talk, often animated, surrounded recent decisions of the Sisters City Council (see story page 1).

But as the evening progressed and stomachs filled and thirsts slaked, the mood turned playful. With background music performed by Kurt Silva, Grace Cooper, Chance Mott, and Dave Niederiaufner of Dry Canyon Stampede, attention soon turned to the main events.

An auction raised $4,900 from the bidding for three framed artworks. The money was raised primarily to help offset the staggering medical costs incurred by the family of Steven Peebles. He was hospitalized August 5 with

City determines community grants

The City of Sisters annually awards Community Grants.

Since 2003, $350,000 has been awarded to 50 local entities with an average award of $1,500. This fiscal year the Community Grants budget remains the same as last fiscal year, $30,000. Prior to that, it had been $20,000.

The 2025 grant application period was made public to accept applications during the entire month of July. As a result, 36 nonprofits and other entities applied for various funding amounts, to a total

SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR

BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS

Al -Anon

Mon., noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church 541- 610-73 83

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.,G entlemen’s meeting, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church • Thursday, noon, Sober Sisters Women’s meet ing, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Thursday, 7 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Transf iguration • Fr iday, noon, Step & Tradition meeting, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church 541- 54 8- 04 40 Saturday, 8 a.m., Episcopal Church of the Transf iguration

Central Oregon Fly Tyer s Guild

For Saturday meeting dates and location, email: steelef ly@msn.c om

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

Ci tizens4Communit y Communit y Builders meeting, 3rd Wednesday of ever y mont h, 10 to 11:3 0 a.m. Visit

citizens 4c ommunity.c om for location

Council on Aging of Central Oregon Senior Lunch In -person communit y dining, Tues. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Grab -and -go lunch Tues., Wed., Thurs. 12:3 0 to 1 p.m. Sisters Communit y Church 541- 48 0-18 43

East of the Cascades Quilt Guild 4th Wed. (September-June), Stitchin’

Post All are welc ome. 541- 549- 60 61

Go Fi sh Fishing Group 3rd Monday 7 p.m., Sisters Communit y Church 541-771-2211

Hear twarmers (f leec e blanketmaker s)

2nd Tuesday, 1 p.m., Sisters Communit y Church Materials provided 541- 40 8- 8505

Hero Quilters of Sisters Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m. 541- 668 -1755

Living Well With Dementia Sister s Care Partner Suppor t Group. 2nd & 4th Weds 1-2:30 p.m. Sisters Librar y Communit y Room. 541- 58 8- 05 47

Mili tary Parent s of Sister s Meetings are held quarterly; please call 541-38 8- 9013

Oregon Band of Brothers Sisters Chapter meets Wednesda ys, 11:3 0 a.m., Takoda’s Rest aurant. 541- 549- 6469

Sisters Aglow Lighthouse 4t h Saturday, 10 a.m., meet ing by Zoom. 503- 93 0- 6158

Sisters Area Photography Club 2nd Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., at Sisters Communit y Church 541- 549- 6157

Sisters Area Woodworker s First Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m. 541-231-18 97

Sisters Bridge Club Thursdays, 12:3 0 p.m. at Sisters Communit y Church Email sister sbridge2021@gmail.com.

Sisters Caregi ver Support Group 2nd & 4th Weds., 1-2:30 p.m. Sisters Librar y Communit y Room. 541- 58 8- 05 47 (M eets with Living Well With Dementia Sisters)

Sisters Garden Club For mont hly meetings visit: SistersGardenClu b.com.

Sisters Habitat for Humani ty Board of Director s 4t h Tuesday, 4:30 p.m. Location information: 541- 549-1193

Sisters Kiwani s 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 11:3 0 a.m. to 1 p.m., at SPRD in Sisters. 541- 632- 3663

Sisters Parent Teacher Communit y 2nd Tuesday, 6 p.m. at Sister s Elementary School Commons. 917-219- 8298

Sisters Rotary 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, Noon, Aspen Lakes. 541-76 0- 5645

Sisters Veterans no -host lunch, Thursdays, noon, Takoda’s Rest aurant. All veterans welc ome, 541-241- 6563

Sisters Trails Alliance Board Meetings take place ever y other month, 5 p.m. In -person or zoom. Cont act: info@sisterstrails.org

Three Sister s Irrigation District Board of Director s Meets 2nd Tuesday, 10 a.m., TSID Of fice 541- 903- 4050

Three Sister s Lions Club 2nd Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Spoons Rest aurant. 541- 419-1279

VF W Post 8138 and American Legion Po st 86 1st Wednesday of the month, 6:30 p.m., Pine Meadow Village Clubhouse, 59 6 W Jefferson Ave. 541-241- 6563

SCHOOLS

Black Bu tt e School

Board of Director s 3rd Tuesday, 9 a.m. Black Butte School. 541- 59 5- 6203

Sisters School District Board of Directors One Wednesday mont hly, Sisters School District Administration Building. See schedule at www.ssd 6. org. 541- 549- 8521 x5 002. CITY & PARKS

of $78,301 requested. Since the Community Grant budget is always less than the total amount all applicant requests, a selection process to determine which organizations to award is used and has been improved over the years.

For fair evaluation of all applicants, the Sisters City Councilors will each individually work online to access a prepared spreadsheet listing all the applicants and amounts requested, all 36 applications, and a process document detailing the criteria by which to identify qualifying applications.

Sisters Ci ty Council 2nd & 4t h Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall 541- 549- 6022

Sisters Park & Recreation District

Board of Director s 2nd & 4t h Tues., 4 p.m., Coff ield Center 541- 549-20 91

Sisters Planning Commission 3rd Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall 541- 549- 6022

FIRE & POLICE

Black Bu tt e Ranch Po lice Dept Board of Director s Meets mont hly. 541- 59 5-2191 for time & date

Black Bu tt e Ranch RFPD Board of Directors 4th Thurs., 9 a.m., BB R Fire Station. 541- 59 5-2288 Cloverdale RFPD

Board of Director s 3rd Wed., 5:30 p.m., 6743 3 Cloverdale Rd. 541- 54 8- 4815 cloverdalefire.c om

Sister s- Camp Sherman RFPD

Board of Director s 3rd Tuesday, 9 a.m., Sisters Fire Hall, 541- 549- 0771

Sister s- Camp Sherman RFPD Drills Tuesdays, 7 p.m., Sisters Fire Hall 301 S. Elm St. 541- 549- 0771

PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS

Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief See PIZZA on page 8

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

By Susan Cobb Correspondent

Sisters Weather FORECAST

Wednesday August 20 • Sunny 83/50

Thursday August 21 • Sunny

Waterston Prize names 2025 winner

Heather Quinn, a Minnesota-based writer, photographer, and filmmaker, has been officially selected as the winner of the 11th annual Waterston Desert Writing Prize by guest judge and author Beth Piatote, Ph.D.

The Waterston Desert Writing Prize, established in 2014 by author and Oregon Poet Laureate Ellen Waterston, honors and fosters literary nonfiction that celebrates desert landscapes.

Quinn’s winning submission is titled “This Is How You Disappear,” a project about the California desert. Quinn, who receives a $3,000 cash prize, will give a reading and discuss their project at the Waterston Desert Writing Prize ceremony on Thursday, September 25.

The event features awardwinning author Dan Flores, Ph.D., who will give a talk titled, “The Coyote Is the Dude, the Dude Abides, and the Adventures Continue,” during the ceremony.

Flores, author of “Coyote America” and “Wild New World,” has spent his career exploring the connections between people and the natural world in America and the West. His books have won several awards including the Rachel Carson Environmental Book Prize and the Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Prize. The author of 11 books, Flores has also written for the New York

Time s, the Los Angeles Times , the Chicago Tribune and Time Magazine.

His presentation at the award ceremony will delve into how coyotes have preserved wildness in modern America, making a case for understanding wild animals as distinctive individuals.

Quinn, who lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with their husband and two young daughters, writes personal and lyric essays. They approach nonfiction from a journalistic background, including a deep appreciation of truth telling.

The winning submission “This Is How You Disappear” is an essay blending personal narrative, reporting, and historical research to explore trauma, ecological collapse and memory in the California desert, particularly around the Salton Sea. For over two decades, Quinn has documented the region through writing, photography, and film, bearing witness to its shifting landscapes and layered histories.

Quinn earned a Master of Fine Arts at Portland State University, and was a 2021 McKnight Artist Fellow, a 2023 Writing Resident at Art Omi, and a 2022 Tin House Winter Workshop Scholar. Quinn’s work has appeared in Fourth Genre, Vela, Longreads and elsewhere.

MAJOR DUDES

Waterston said that Quinn’s piece “promises fearless writing that skillfully enlists the landscape of the Salton Sea as backdrop to their quest for understanding” an emotional moment in their life.

Piatote, a Nez Perce scholar, writer, professor and language activist, will also speak during the Waterston event at the Museum. Piatote is the author of two books, including a mixed-genre collection entitled “The Beadworkers: Stories” (2019), which was featured on NPR and was selected as the “one read” for multiple university and community programs. Dedicated to Nez Perce language and literature, she cofounded the Designated Emphasis in Indigenous Language Revitalization at the University of California Berkeley, where she teaches English and Comparative Literature.

Heather Quinn is the winner of the 11th annual Waterston Desert Writing Prize.

“We are honored to welcome our outstanding winner Heather Quinn and awardwinning authors Dan Flores and Beth Piatote to this year’s Waterston Desert Writing Prize ceremony,” said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “Their passionate exploration of the natural world aligns perfectly with the Prize’s mission to celebrate and elevate desert landscapes through the

PHOTO PROVIDED

See WATERSTON on page 11

SAA’s Artwalk — summer’s eclectic color

By Helen Schmidling Correspondent

There’s plenty of summer left in Sisters, but the Sisters Arts Association’s Fourth Friday Artwalk from 4 to 7 p.m. on September 22 will be the last one before Labor Day and schools are back in session. Where did the time fly?

Speaking of flying, The Flying Horse Gallery will introduce the colorful pastel and collage art of Gloria Chenoweth and the limited edition “Moonlight Madness” prints by Mary Jean Ruhnke. Father-daughter duo Brad and Sloane Earl, along with a rotation of spotlight artists, offer art inspired by a spirit of nostalgia, fantasy, and whimsy.

The Rickards Gallery features “Of Earth and Pulse,” a new collection by Sarah B. Hansen. As a life-long hiker, backpacker, and outdoor explorer, Sarah paints to express her connection to the natural world. Each piece taps into the unplugged beauty of nature. Sarah plays with shapes, colors, and textures to

suggest landscape elements. In leaving certain parts undefined she creates atmosphere, allowing mystery and imagination to dance at the edges.

Makin’ It Local’s “Summer Splash” features newly released fine art giclée prints by Jennifer O’Reilly and reverse enamel painted fused glass art by Cheryl Chapman of Silly Dog Art Glass.

Jennifer worked as a fish and wildlife biologist in Central Oregon for 20 years, so her deep connection to the natural world is evident in vibrant abstract landscapes and whimsical depictions of flora and fauna. She blends inks with liquid and heavy-bodied acrylics to create her bold, colorful pieces. Cheryl uses traditional

glass painting techniques and opaque high-fire glass enamels for detail and color. There will be music by Stacie Lynn Johnson and Aaron “Mystic” Chambers.

Come see what’s landed in the whimsical tree at The Stitchin’ Post! “Patterns of Our Lives” by Kathy Deggendorfer and Tonye Phillips — friends and collaborators for many years — appear to have “gone to the birds!” Their mediums differ: Tonye with fabric and Kathy with watercolor — but their mutual sense of color, pattern, and whimsy are very much in tune. This show includes pieces from early days of collaboration along with some fun, recent work.

Sisters Gallery & Frame celebrates its third anniversary

at its new location by focusing on photographers. Steve Giardini uses his camera to create abstract photographic art, fusing two or more images to produce a single composite photograph. Two techniques are used: capturing multiple exposures in-camera with a digital camera or, in post-production, layering and blending several individual images using editing software. Also look for work by Dennis Schmidling, Wendy Birnbaum, Gary Albertson, and Curtiss Abbott.

Wildflower Studio spotlights glass artists Mitch Saba and Edie Shelton. Mitch works in traditional stained glass and uses color and shape to depict local landscapes, fish, and design. Edie is a fused glass artist who uses barnwood and wood stands to showcase the texture and color of her flower and mountain pieces.

Hood Avenue Art features landscapes in pastel by JoAnn Burgess and oils by Ruth Carroll. JoAnn has been working with pastels for more than 15 years and

is passionate about her work and the creative process. Ruth paints what moves her emotionally and spiritually, building up many layers of oil color in a unique representational style.

Toriizaka Art continues to feature the innovative abstract works by Henriette Heiny and kinetic sculptures by Donald MacLane. Henriette’s acrylic and fluid media paintings are made using unconventional techniques. While she does not intentionally try to represent the natural world, her works evoke landscapes, currents, eruptions, or atmospheric shifts. Don’s interactive sculptures break the “Do Not Touch” rule by inviting you to set them in motion. Shift a weight, change the velocity, or tweak the balance and watch as entirely new patterns emerge. Come play, explore, and discover art in motion.

The Campbell Gallery continues to feature “Expressions in Fabric: Color, Pattern, Play, and Passion” by artist Judith Beaver. Often starting with a single inspirational piece of fabric, she builds a color palette, using contrast and value as key design considerations and working intuitively as the piece evolves.

“Two Birds” by Tonye Phillips at Stitchin’ Post.

PHOTO PROVIDED

“Burst” by Gloria Chenoweth at Flying Horse Gallery.

PHOTO PROVIDED

“Abundance” by Sarah B. Hansen at The Rickards Gallery.

PHOTO PROVIDED

“Tranquility” an interpretive photograph by Steve Giardini at Sisters Gallery & Frame.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Letters to the Editor…

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

Christians

To the Editor:

I can see why Colette Whelan is alarmed. If all Christians agreed with Doug Wilson, that alarm would be justified. However, Doug Wilson does NOT represent me nor does he represent most Christians in this country.

For that matter, he does not represent what Jesus thought of women and how he treated them! If you read the Bible, you will see that Jesus held women in high regard. He even appeared to a woman first when He rose from the grave and told her to give the good news to the rest of the disciples — all men.

The Bible does tell wives to “submit to their husbands,” but this does not mean subservience, but rather an acknowledgement of the husband’s role as leader of the family and putting value on his perspective within the marriage. The Bible tells husbands to “love their wives as they love themselves.” That means that husbands should love their wives sacrificially, prioritizing her needs and wellbeing.

Husbands are told to love their wives as Christ loved the church; Jesus died for the church.

Certain men have misinterpreted those passages to mean that wives have less value than their husbands and use that misinterpretation to support a patriarchal society in which women have no rights. Jesus came to save us and do away with such thinking. Please do not use this man’s comments as an indicator of how the majority of Christians view women’s rights. Democracy is not at risk — his small-minded thinking is not shared by the rest of us.

Terry Hardin

s s s

Letter to the community

To the Editor:

Our community is built on kindness, respect, and the belief that every person deserves to feel safe and valued. Lately, however, I’ve seen an increase in hurtful and hateful comments on social media. While online platforms can be powerful tools for connection, they can also create space for words that

divide, demean, and discourage.

The “Sisters Community Update and News” Facebook group was a place the community could ask for help and share information. It has recently become an unmonitored platform with name-calling, inaccurate information, profanity, and vitriol.

I want to remind us all that our words matter. They carry weight, whether spoken in person or written online. The way we speak to each other reflects the kind of community we want to be. When harmful comments spread unchecked, they erode trust, silence voices, and weaken the fabric of our town.

We can choose differently. We can choose dialogue over division, listening over labeling, and kindness over cruelty. I encourage everyone to:

• Think before posting. Ask: “Would I say this face-to-face?”

• Disagree respectfully. We don’t have to share the same views to treat each other with dignity.

• Support those who are targeted. A simple message of kindness can make a big difference.

• Lead by example. Show the next generation what respectful disagreement and constructive conversation look like.

Our town is stronger when we uplift each other, even when we don’t agree. Let’s work together to keep our online spaces as welcoming and inclusive as the streets and neighborhoods we share.

Thank you for your commitment to creating a healthier, kinder community.

This letter is submitted as my personal view and not as a member of City Council.

Cheryl Pellerin

s s s

Defending City Council

First let me say that I have nothing against bulls even as roundabout art. There are definitely some among us that feel very strongly that as a community we need to honor a rodeo hero which would be fine if it were in the budget.

The City Council would probably say the same

thing if the price and some other safety issues were put to rest. I am bothered by comments, especially on social media, about the City Council “not listening to the people,” and threatening recall of Mayor (Jennifer) Letz.

Letz has a firm grasp on community needs, wants, and desires as shown by her very knowledgeable understanding of more important things than honoring a bull. Homelessness, fire prevention, UGB boundaries all have been handled calmly and with insight by the mayor. Personal insults are not helpful or appreciated by the majority of Sisters residents. And, btw, is it only Sisters taxpayers so adamant about putting an expensive bull on the roundabout? Good question.

Marianne Straumfjord s s s

Community trail

To the Editor:

I recently had the opportunity to walk the completed portion of the planned 3.5-mile community trail (August 6, page 1). All involved with the project deserve major kudos for the herculean and speedy efforts undertaken thus far.

As I wound to and fro on the “Candyland”-like trail in front of the middle and elementary schools, I got to thinking about what the rest of the trail should look like. To reach the anticipated mileage, the trail would presumably cross the Trout Creek Preserve behind the high school. The east side of the preserve already features a wide, smooth trail connecting north to the Tollgate neighborhood, popular with bikes and all sorts of users. If the community trail were kept primitive elsewhere within the preserve, and piggy-backed onto existing dirt paths where possible, then impacts to flora, fauna, and quiet enjoyment of this unique and fragile environment would be reduced.

Trail signs and interpretive stops could further connect visitors to the landscape, again without encouraging an excessive amount of “pass-through”

The cost of leadership

By Steve Woodside Columnist

President Harry S. Truman once quipped, “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.” The sentiment rings true for leaders everywhere, whether in politics, business, or small-town city councils. Constituents may cheer when you align with their views, but stray once, and you risk being branded a RINO (Republican in Name Only) or DINO (Democrat in Name Only). Leadership, whether steering a nation or a neighborhood, is often a thankless job. In a small town, where voices carry far, the unhappy ones shout loudest.

Ten years ago, the world fixated on a viral photo of a dress. Was it blue and black or white and gold? In 2018, a similar debate erupted over an audio clip: “Yanny” or “Laurel”? These trivial arguments captivated millions, dividing friends and families. In our town, a similar storm brews over the artwork proposed for the Locust and Cascade roundabout. I didn’t want the roundabout to begin with, so spending hundreds of thousands on a sculpture, regardless of its connection to the town, and even with private donors covering much of the cost, feels like decorating a pile of cow dung. But my opinion, or yours, isn’t the point.

The city council’s job is to weigh these issues and decide. Leadership demands they articulate their rationale clearly and stand firm when criticism inevitably follows. If council members thought their roles were about making friends, padding resumes, or launching bigger political aspirations, this controversy is a stark

reminder: leadership has a cost. It requires courage to prioritize the town’s needs over personal popularity.

Similarly, Jim Cornelius, chief editor of The Nugget, recently lamented the barrage of “why don’t they just…” questions from locals he receives. No one forced Jim into that role. Answering tough or even inane questions comes with the territory. As a Boomer might say, “Quit complaining and do the job.” People in town have questions, and it doesn’t feel like clear answers have been forthcoming. Town leaders should reflect before casting aspersions at those asking.

Even among Jim’s examples, some concerns are legitimate, particularly regarding the U.S. Forest Service. He writes that these questions “lead to deeper and more difficult issues, with no straightforward answers.” But if laws are broken, why can’t leaders provide clarity? Vague responses fuel distrust, and leaders must own the responsibility to explain, even when the truth is complex.

In my career, I led teams of hundreds, building strategy, assigning roles, handling performance reviews, salary decisions,

and hiring and firing. These tasks rarely won me fans, but they were the price of leadership, and why I was paid for it. Not everyone is cut out to lead, and today, fewer seem willing to try. Too many prefer blending in over standing out.

True leadership demands a clear vision, a steady conscience, and the guts to make tough calls, not just popular ones. Leaders also need the backbone to stand before constituents and account for their decisions. In our town, as in Washington, they must weather the storm of dissent to guide us forward. The cost is high, but so is the reward: a community that thrives when decisions are made with conviction, not compromise.

Let’s challenge our leaders to communicate clearly, whether about roundabouts or forest policies, and encourage our neighbors to engage with respect, not just criticism. Leadership isn’t about winning friends, it’s about building a stronger town. If we support tough decisions with constructive dialogue, we all share in the reward.

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

LETTERS

Continued from page 6

use or speed, the way a wide, multi-use trail tends to do, and would make such a community trail experience here both compatible and beneficial.

Brad Tennant s s s

Crisis in America

To the Editor:

Every week there are new reasons to worry whether democracy will survive in America. This past week was no exception, as it saw:

The baseless declaration of an “emergency” as an excuse for the military occupation of our nation’s capital; efforts to rewrite our history as portrayed in our museums and to rehabilitate treasonous Confederate generals, officials, and enslavers; and the utter humiliation of our nation as Trump literally rolled out the red carpet, clapped, and groveled for Putin, a murderous dictator and former KGB colonel.

There are continuing efforts by Trump to prevent free and fair mid-term elections by ordering Texas GOP lawmakers to gerrymander five new Republican seats outside the normal timetable dictated by decennial census results, and on-going ICE raids conducted by masked and unidentifiable people who cannot be distinguished from criminals abducting people.

And there is the capricious and illegal imposition of tariffs, which are increasing the rate of inflation and are a tax paid for by U.S. consumers.

If these things upset you, you are not alone. In Sisters Country, Indivisible Sisters continues to lead the peaceful resistance against the anti-democratic and authoritarian Trump regime. This past week we held a well-attended social event at The Barn; traveled to Madras to support Rep. Bynum, who appeared at a town hall put on by the Oregon Nurses’ Association (Rep. Bentz was also invited but did not attend); and hosted our weekly Saturday rally at the Stallion.

We will continue to hold Saturday rallies at 10 to 11 a.m. We

Neighborly feeling is fulfillment of a vision

A sense of a real neighborhood — a throwback to the way many Americans lived in the 1950s through the 1970s — was built into the vision Hayden Homes had for McKenzie Meadows Village.

The “village” part of the name wasn’t mere marketing — it was an aspiration.

The City of Sisters approved a Master Planned Development, Comp Plan Map Amendment, and Zoning Map Amendment for McKenzie Meadows Village in 2019. In 2020, Hayden Homes sold the first 16 homes in the 126-home community (not including multi-family units, which are owned and operated by a third party). They sold the final new home in the community in 2023.

There are eight First Story homes in McKenzie Meadows Village (nine total in Sisters). First Story is Hayden Homes’ nonprofit that provides zerodown, zero-interest 30-year mortgages and a new Hayden Home to underserved households who otherwise would not be able to afford home ownership. First Story homeowners earn less than 80 percent average median income AMI and 80 percent of these households are the first in their family to ever own a home.

McKenzie Meadows Village has been used repeatedly as an example of possibilities by Hayden Homes when addressing housing issues with the State of Oregon. In the 2019 legislative session, the legislature passed HB 2001, the “More Housing Choices for Oregonians” bill. In testimony, McKenzie Meadows Village has been used to provide an example of residential developments with a mix of multi-family, cottages, duplex/triplexes, attached and detached single-family housing that were — prior to passage of the bill — often not allowed because of cities’

design review requirements.

The neighborhood is designed with mixed housing types and household incomes integrated throughout, transportation options that include walking and biking as well as driving, parks/trails, and proximity to schools, grocery store, and other services.

Hayden Homes’ Community Engagement and Government Affairs Manager Jenn Kovitz told The Nugget that since 2019, and with encouragement from subsequent years’ legislation, cities across the state are following in Sisters footsteps to encourage the building of more diverse housing types.

Kovitz noted that these housing types are often called “missing middle” housing — duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, and cottage clusters. Hayden Homes has built other communities modeled after this concept in Central Oregon (in Redmond) and across the state.

“Sisters is ahead of the curve region-wide and statewide,” she said.

“Because of the ability to offer a diverse range of housing types, we can offer housing at prices more folks can afford,” Kovitz noted. “For example, Parkside Place (a new development in Bend), our starting price for an attached 1,350-square-foot bed, two bath, two-car garage townhome is priced just under what a household of four earning 100 percent of AMI can afford.”

PIZZA: Gathering draws 30 people from neighborhood

Continued from page 3

an eye out for everybody else.

Jessie attributes this sense of a “real neighborhood” in part to the general atmosphere of the Sisters community.

“Sisters is such a welcoming place to begin with,” she said. “It’s really easy to meet people.”

Creating that sense of “neighborhood” was a goal for developer, Hayden Homes; the builder sees McKenzie Meadows Village as a shining example of what is possible in such developments (see story, this page)

“McKenzie Meadows Village is a Hayden Homes community that embodies our goal to make a lasting impact on the lives of the customers we serve,” said Sean Bearden, customer experience director for Hayden Homes. “Whether they live in a larger detached home, a triplex, apartment, or duplex, the neighbors take pride in their homes and you can sense their commitment to one another. It’s wonderful to encounter happy homeowners building a strong community with one another years after they’ve purchased a home with us.”

Jessie and Kevin met at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire 15 years ago.

“We floated into each other on a river,” Kevin recalled.

Kevin is a New

Hampshire native; Jessie is an Oregonian. When they got married, they were on the verge of moving to Boston to start career and family life — but they didn’t really want to. Kevin, raised in the mountains, wanted to stay in the mountains. Jessie had a solution of that.

“I dragged him out here,” she said.

Jessie works remotely as a project manager for a web developer; Kevin is a marketing manager for a manufacturer of lithium batteries. They have two children, and like living within easy walking distance of Sisters’ schools. And, with pizza and good fellowship, they have built something neighborly, right out on their driveway.

Alan Bennett

The fire c hiefs say I got to har den my home

Fr om 5 feet out just gr avel and stone

Gr avel and stone, gr avel and stone

You got to ke ep the fire fr om bur ning your

Scr een-in under por ches all the way to the gr ound keeps the hot ash out w hen it’s flying around

metal gate will help, a line of defense

the fir e burns intense on a wooden fence Trim or

poem that you’ d

Neighbors gather weekly at a home in McKenzie Meadows for a homemade pizza feed.

PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS

T. Lee Brown Columnist

The Internet helps people do everything themselves — or at least, it appears to. A flood of Silicon Valley companies convince small businesses they can do it all, as long as they subscribe to this service, oh and here’s another one you should join, and a new app to pay for...

The same factors affecting other areas of small business can present problems when using tech platforms. Bookkeeping provides an example.

Free DIY bookkeeping online may be the right choice for you; say your shop receives little traffic on weekdays and out-of-season, giving you plenty of time to do data entry while you’re behind the counter anyway.

A tiny passion-project business might also be better off with a platform like this than trying to reach a revenue level that makes hiring a bookkeeper pencil out.

Buuuuut.... what if something goes wrong, and the service hasn’t created appropriate backups? What if to get decent service you end up having to add on a monthly subscription? The platforms can be quite squirrelly, unreliable, and sometimes downright dishonest. Caveat emptor.

Some businesses may profit from professional services such as bookkeeping. If your time is billed out at $150/hour to your clients, you spend 10 hours on bookkeeping that a professional

could probably do in 6 hours, and your bookkeeper charges $50/hour... you’re throwing away $1,200 worth of your own precious time.

Bonus: your local bookkeeper networks with other business owners around town. Simply by engaging them to do your books, you’re expanding your local circle. Talking with a professional can feel like a relief compared to going it alone on everything, too.

So-called Artificial Intelligence

Another example: AI-generated content. Increasingly, platforms and apps bombard users with pop-ups and dialog boxes: “Let our AI design your website, write your copy, choose your photos and create your newsletters!” (Pretty soon it’ll offer to raise your children and call your mom.)

The results are often lackluster and riddled with errors. Outside expert human beings may cost a bit, but the good ones have experience. They understand that content should be aligned with strategy and differentiated from that of other businesses. AI does this badly, if at all. Humans are better able to connect with their fellow humans.

Real people with real experience can bring in a strategic approach, audience awareness, voice, local knowledge and a dollop of “secret sauce” to improve a local company’s communications. AI and LLMs simply

aren’t operating at this level.

Tech Time Wasters

Deserving of a whole section of its own: social media. Business owners may believe they should spend hours every day posting to social media, also known as creating content for free on behalf of behemoth corporations like Meta and TikTok.

It helps to understand the revenue model for tech companies (those that even make money; lots are just in it for investment capital). As the saying goes: If you’re not paying for the product, you are the product.

In some cases, in some industries, at certain times, social media can be of great value. Those entrepreneurs who love social already may as well divert some of their scrolling time to business.

But many owners make the assumption that they absolutely must engage on these platforms, achieving a certain number of followers and likes and hearts.

Some loathe the activity; some find themselves becoming discouraged about their whole business because they’re focusing too sharply on platform analytics. As Goodhart’s Law has it, “When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure.”

There are entire graduate programs devoted to teaching technologists how to manipulate people into believing that constant engagement with apps and platforms is deeply important. Engineers

and creatives are taught how to brainwash everybody— and everybody’s kids—into unhealthy technology use (thanks, Stanford!).

The inventor of the endless scroll has publicly apologized for his invention, genuinely distressed that he himself is addicted to it, to the detriment of his relationship with his children.

I look back with mixed feelings at the early 1990s, when I and my fellow early adopters evangelized about how great the Internet Revolution was going to be — how we would change democracy and enable people all over the world to communicate beautifully with each other.

We had our misgivings, but as we earned our ducats on the nascent commercial Internet, most of us didn’t predict how much the online world would change. Smartphones, algorithmdriven news, social media and the erosion of the wall that previously protected Google’s search technology from its advertising division have led to a firehose of

content that is often useless and sometimes harmful.

While it’s convenient to look up a business on Yelp or Google Maps, much of the other information spewed out online confuses potential customers and overwhelms businesses with new tech tasks to complete every day.

As with individuals sucked into the social media vortex, small business owners may find social media and other online engagement time-wasting, ego-deflating, anxiety-inducing, and just plain ineffective. It depends on the business, the audience and the timing. It’s worth putting some thought into before embarking.

T. Lee Brown has been writing about culture and technology for over 30 years, for publications including Wired and Bust. She consults for business and nonprofit clients such as NBCUniversal, Nike, the Joko Project in Senegal and the musician Sting, and is a director at the Sisters- and Portland-based branding and communications firm Plazm. Contact tiffany@plazm.com.

SISTERS LIBRARY EVENTS

Medicare Made Simple

is s eminar will cover the basics, in cluding Medicare

Part s A , B, C, and D, enro llment timelines, and common coverage options (Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug Plans , Etc). Wednesday, August 20, 5:30-7 p.m.

e Ar t of Journalism Stor ytelling

Get an inside look at what it takes to b ecome a journalist and how to create and pitch a news story

During the presentation, Aaron R asheed, a l ocal journalist , will highlight steps to b ecome a freelance journalist , how AI has changed the journalism environment , and more.

Saturday, August 23, 12-1 p.m.

Kindergarten Story Time

Stories, s ongs, and a craft for children entering kindergarten, 5–6 years . is sp ecial stor y time will focus on the positive, through silly stories , s ongs, and a super fun craft! Wednesday, August 20, 10:30–11 a .m Camp Kinder Camp-themed activities, crafts and games to support learning . urs days, August 21, 28, at 1:30 p.m.

Online: Story Times

Find dozens of stor y times and other fun programs for kids , available 24/7 on the librar y YouTub e channel: dpl.pub/storytime.

Living Well With Dementia Sisters Suppor t Groups

Living Well o ers a support group for the care partners and f amily of those diagnosed with some form of dementia, and now o ers a new Early Stage Support Group. Both groups meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month f rom 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Sisters Park & Recreation District Community Center. e E arly Stage Support Group meets in the Whychus Room. e Care Partner Group meet s in the Metolius Room. For more information call 541588- 0547.

New community work space

Citizens4Communit y (C4C) has opened a community work space at 291 E. Main Ave (next to Fir Street Park). " e Hub" o ers donation-based coworking , meeting space, a shared kitchen, nonproﬁt resources , rotating art displays, and more. Operating hours are Monday–Friday, 10 a .m.–4 p.m . Information: https:// citizens4communit y.com/hub.

A NNOUNCEMENT S

Honey Bees & Brews Plea se join us for our monthly social gathering at e Barn on ursday, August 28 , at 5 p.m.

All beekeepers and wanabees welcome. Contact Clyde for more information at 458-2068470

Volunteer at Sisters Habitat for Humanity

Help us build hope and homes in Sisters , connect with new people, make f riends, and make a di erence in our community Volunteer today! Learn more at www.sistershabitat.org/ volunteer or call 541-549-1193

Historic al Walking Tours

Learn about Sisters’ fascinating histor y during an easy-going morning walking tour. ree Sisters Historical Societ y o ers two di erent docent-led w alks: the Downtown L andmark s Tour and the Heritage Home Tour. Tours are free, start at 10 a .m., distance is less than a mile. and they last approximately one hour. Pre-registration required at least 24 hours prior through Eventbrite.com, or call 541-54914 03 . L andmark Tours are on Sundays 9/7, and u. 9/25. Heritage Home Tour takes place Saturday 9/6 . Learn about the histor y of some of our buildings and hear f un stories about the businesses and the interesting people who occupied them.

Sisters High Deser t Chorale Welcomes New Singers

Come sing with us this f all as we prepare for our holiday concerts in December. We are a f unloving community mixed chorus that meets at the Episcopal Church of the Transﬁguration in Sisters weekly on Monday evenings f rom 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Our ﬁrst rehearsal is September 8 . No audition is required . For more information, contact C arol Lisek at carolshdc@gmail.com

Camp Polk Pioneer Cemeter y Tour ursday, August 21, 10:30 a .m.; free. e Camp Polk Pioneer Cemetery, est . 1880 on 2.1 hilltop acres , located three miles north of Sisters at 69875 Camp Polk Rd., has 325 headstones and some 70 veterans . e one-hour tour begins with a brief history and focuses on key ancestors who helped bridge pioneer travel bet ween the Willamette Valley and Prineville, settling in the Sisters area . To join a tour go to www.Eventbrite.com, Camp Polk Cemeter y Tour, leave a phone number in case of cancellation

Weekly Community

Meditation: Mondays 5:30 -6:30 p.m.; no charge. Ten minutes of stretching and breathwork , followed by a 20 -minute guided meditation session and a 20-minute silent meditation session. Inspire Dance and Fitness Studio, 592 N . Sisters Park Ct., Ste. B . Info: Bonnie Rose, 541-30 6-3320

Friends of the Metolius Interpretive Walks: Camp Sherman Bridge to Allingham Bridge & back. On Saturday, August 23, 9 to 11 a .m. Obser ve the unique riparian habit at of the Metolius ecosystem that includes charismatic species such as osprey, river otters and merganser ducks . Learn about recent changes to enhance habitat for ﬁsh and native plants. Susan's cabin on the river has been in her family since the 1930s . Leader: Susan Prince. For information call 415-233-3243. Meet at the Camp Sherman Bridge

Sisters Communit y Garden

Recycle your plastic plant pots! Sisters Community Garden needs your empty 2 - 20 gallon pots to begin moving their garden plants . Drop them o at 15860 Barclay before September 15

10 0+ Women Who Care–Sisters

Having topped 100 memberships , the group is actively recruiting women to join and support that beautif ul “+ ” 100WWC pools donations to f und local nonproﬁts nominated by its members More than $51, 00 0 has been donated since the group’s founding in March 2024. ere is no membership fee, but one must be a member to attend the quarterly meetings. For more information or a membership application, email 10 0w wc.Sisters@gmail.com or call/text 541-912- 0750

Furr y Friends Volunteers

Needed Furr y Friends Foundation is seeking volunteers to help at the pet food bank on ursdays f rom 12:30 to 3:30 p.m . It is helpf ul if you can lif t up to 4 0 pounds to assist clients loading their pet food order. FFF is located at 412 E . Main, behind e Nug get o ce. Call or text Kiki at 541-797-4 023 for info.

Camp Sherman Pancake Breakf ast Bring your family and f riends to a traditional Pancake Breakfast at the Camp Sherman Communit y Hall, Sunday, August 31st, 8:0 0 am to 11:0 0 am. Enjoy all-you-can-eat ham, eggs , pancakes , orange juice and co ee. Adult s $12.0 0; children 5 to 10 years $8.00, under 5 f ree. Proceeds beneﬁt Camp Sherman Historical Societ y and Friends of the Metolius

Transfigure Yourself New free chair fitnes s class for mature adult s and individuals with limited mobilit y. Increase balance flexibilit y and strength all set to lively fun music

Tuesdays - 9:45 am to 10:15 am. All are welcomed . Episcopal Church of Transﬁguration 121 N Books C amp Road 541-549-70 87

Open Studio at PMRCA A ursday, August 28 , 4–6 p.m . Open Studio of the 2025 residenc y season at Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture! Presenters for this event include Weaver Sylvia Friday, Sculptor Hilar y Pfeifer and Multimedia Artist Jayne Struble. is event is free and open to the public. Space is limited so registration is required . at https:// roundhousefoundation.org/ open-studios/open-studio -15/ For more info call 541-904070 0 or email inquiries@ roundhousefoundation.org e address for this event is: Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture, 68467 ree Creek s Rd., Sisters C4C launches online volunteer dashboard Citizens4Communit y (C4C) has developed a new online dashboard for local volunteer roles . Nonproﬁts can post Sisters Country-based volunteer needs for f ree, and community members c an search for oppor tunities aligned with their interests and availabilit y. Learn more at volunteerinsisters.org.

Free Pet Food Budget tight this month, but you still need pet food for your dog or cat? Call the Furr y Friends pet food bank at 541-797-4 023 to schedule your pickup. Pickups available ursdays , beginning at 12:30 p.m. Located at 412 E . Main Ave., Ste. 4, behind e Nug get

MAISEY

is sweet girl was p art of an accidental litter and is now ready for her forever home. She spent the ﬁrst ﬁve months of her life in the comfort of her home, so being in the shelter has made her a bit ner vous . She's hoping her adopter will have patience as she adjusts to her new life. Soon she'll be your best f riend! Open your heart and home to Maisey.

SISTER S- ARE A C HURCH ES

Baha’i Faith

For information, devotions, study groups , etc., cont ac t Shauna Rocha 541-6 47-9826 • www.bahai.org www.bahai.us • www.bahaiteaching s.org Chapel in the Pines Camp Sherman • 541-815-9153

10 a .m. Sunday Worship

e Church of Jesus Christ of L at ter-Day Saint s

452 Trinit y Way • Branch President, 541-977-5559; 10 a .m. Sunday Sac rament Meeting

e Episcopal Church of the Transﬁguration 121 N Brook s Camp Rd. • 541-549-7087 www.transﬁguration-sisters.org

8:30 a .m. Ecumenical Sunday Worship

10 :15 a .m. Episcopal Sunday Worship

e Resting Place meeting at Sisters Communit y Church, 130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy www.restingplace.us • hello@restingplace.us

5 p.m. Sunday Worship

Seventh-Day Adventist Church 541-815-98 48

11 a .m. S aturday Worship

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (ELCA)

386 N . Fir St. • 541-549-5831

www.shepherdof thehillsluther anchurch.com

10 a .m. Sunday Worship

Sisters Church of the N az arene 67130 Har ring ton Loop Rd . • 541-389-8960 www.sistersna z.org • info@sistersnaz .org

10 a .m. Sunday Worship

Sisters Communit y Church (nondenominational)

130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy. • 541-549-1201

www.sisterschurch.com • info@sisterschurch.com

7:30 a .m. Daybreak S er vice • 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship St . Edward the Mar tyr Roman Catholic Churc h 123 Trinit y Way • 541-549-9391 5:3 0 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass • 9 a .m.

Bible Study Home Church (nondenominational) Call for time and location • 541-728-2717 Wellhouse Churc h 442 Trinit y Way • 541-549-418

Tommy Castro headed back to Sisters

Award-winning, California-based blues and rock sensation Tommy Castro , along with his band The Painkillers, will perform live at The Belfry in Sisters on Saturday, September 20. Castro is the guitar slinging, soul-singing leader of the telepathically tight and wildly raucous Tommy Castro & The Painkillers. With his latest Alligator Records album, “Closer To The Bone,” Castro — the four-time Blues Music Award-winner for B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year

— delivers what he calls “a record I’ve always wanted to make.”

“Closer To The Bone” is the most unvarnished, straight-ahead blues release of Castro’s career, one that bristles with every ounce of his dynamic energy and raw emotion. Recently, Castro won the 2025 Blues Music Award for Blues Rock Artist.

The Belfry is located at 302 E. Main Ave. Showtime is 7 p.m.

Ticket price is $33.65 (including fees); visit www. belfryevents.com.

WATERSTON: Prize honors writing about deserts

Continued from page 4

power of literary nonfiction.”

The two finalists for this year’s Prize are Taylor Luck and Charles Hood.

Luck, a journalist living in the Middle East, blends narrative writing with authentic storytelling. His submission, “Beyond the Jordan,” focuses on modernday Jordan and the varied groups of people navigating a region in upheaval. Luck weaves his personal journey of belonging into the narrative.

Located in Palmdale, California, Hood has traveled the world for his writings, from the high Arctic to the South Pole, and from Tibet to West Africa and the Amazon. His submission, “Desert Fire,” takes him closer to home as it delves into the past, present, and future role of fire in Western American deserts.

A writer with continued contributions to nonfiction prose about desert regions, Hood is being recognized this year for the first-ever Obsidian Prize, a $2,000 award in honor of his contributions to the Waterston Desert Writing Prize. A prolific poet and essayist, Hood has written several books,

including the essay collection “A Salad Only the Devil Would Eat: The Joys of Ugly Nature,” which was named the Nonfiction Book of the Year by the editors of Foreword book review.

In 2020, the High Desert Museum — which has long hosted events for the Prize — adopted the program. The mission and goals of the Prize complement those

of the High Desert Museum, emphasizing the importance of protecting deserts and creating important conversations about the issues affecting them.

To learn more about the Waterston Desert Writing Prize and to purchase tickets to the Waterston Desert Writing Prize Ceremony, visit highdesertmuseum.org/ waterston-prize.

Fresh juices, smoothies, bagel sandwiches, breakfast bur ritos, baked goods, wraps, & entrees for ever yone!

Fresh Baked Deliciousness!

Bluesman Tommy Castro will play The Belfry next month.

PHOTO BY LAURA CARBONE

Nez Perce scholar Piatote will speak at the Waterston Desert Writing Prize ceremony at the High Desert Museum.

PHOTO BY KIRSTEN LARA GETCHELL

Events & Enter tainment

Sist ers Area Events & Ent er tainment

WEDNESDAY • AUGUST 20

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

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

THURSDAY • AUGUST 21

The Suttle Lodge Live Music: Muddy Souls Benji Nagel showcases his talented friends every Thursday 6 to 8 p.m. Free. Info: www thesuttlelodge.com.

Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards Live Music: Eric Leadbetter 5 to 8 p.m. Advanced tickets required: www.faithhopeandcharityevents.com/event-center

Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Trivia Night 12th annual family-friendly trivia. Free. 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Sign up at 5:30 Info: call 541-549-2471

Sisters Depot Live Music: Open Mic Music lovers can enjoy a variety of local talent, 6 to 8 p.m. Sign ups, 5 :30 Info: sistersdepot.com/our-events.

FRIDAY • AUGUST 22

Downtown Sisters 4th Friday Artwalk

Downtown Sisters 4th Friday Artwalk 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Galleries and shops feature art and demonstrations. Information: www.sistersarts.org.

10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Galleries and shops feature art and demonstrations. Information: www.sistersarts.org.

Makin’ it Local Artwalk & Live Music

Artist reception with Cheryl Chapman and Jennifer O’Reilly 4 to 7 p.m. Enjoy Oregon wine and beer sampling, gingersnap cookies, and live music by Stacie Dread and Mystic Info: www.makinitlocal.com.

Sisters Art Works Outdoor Movie: "Encanto" Free Gates at 7 p.m., movie at 8 Bring low-back chair or blanket. Presented by C4C and Kendall Auto. Info: www citizens4community.com/events.

Sisters High School Sports Field Starshine

Stargazing Tour 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Enjoy the brilliance of Central Oregon's incredible night sky together with a local naturalist and educator. You'll hear an ancient story about the stars, locate constellations, and see visible planets, the moon, and other astronomical objects through a 6" telescope Tickets and info: starshine-theater.com/sisters-stargazing

The Yard at Hardtails Live Music: Cheyenne West Band 7–10 p.m. hardtailsdivebarandgrill.com.

Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards Live Music: Summer Groove Band 6 to 9 p.m. Advanced tickets required: www.faithhopeandcharityevents.com/ event-center

Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

Eurosports Food Cart Garden Live Music: Switchback 5-7 p.m. Free. Family- and dogfriendly Info: 541-549-2471

SATURDAY • AUGUST 23

Village Green Park Luau Hawaiian dinner with live music by Sisters Ukulele Players & Halau O' Hula Hawai'i Sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Sisters, beneﬁtting Sisters School District Nature Path Tickets, $25/adults, $10/kids at www.sisterskiwanis.org/luau.

The Yard at Hardtails Live Music: Major Dudes Steely Dan tribute band, 8 p.m Tickets, $20 at BendTicket.com.

Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture "Naturally Dyed Yarn for Handweaving" with Madelaine Corbin. A twoday workshop August 23-24, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration: roundhousefoundation.org/events.

The Barn Live Music: Sweet Old Souls 6 to 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage Info: www thebarninsisters.com.

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

Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards Live Music: Jeff Miller & The Congregation 6 to 9 p.m. Advanced tickets required: www.faithhopeandcharity events.com/event-center

SUNDAY • AUGUST 24

Sisters Saloon Live Music: Catﬁsh Stu & The Hush Puppies 6 to 8 p.m. on the patio Free and open to all ages

Fir Street Park Sisters Farmers Market

Fir Street Park Sisters Farmers Market 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors, music community booth, kids activities. Info: www.sistersfarmersmarket.com.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors, music community booth, kids activities. Info: www.sistersfarmersmarket.com.

Paulina Springs Books Sunday Scrabble

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

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

EVENTSARESUBJECTTOCHANGEWITHOUTNOTICE.

MONDAY • AUGUST 25

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

WEDNESDAY • AUGUST 27

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

Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em, 21+, 5:30 p.m.–close upstairs. $50 buy-in, freezeout.

THURSDAY • AUGUST 28

The Suttle Lodge Live Music: Skillethead Benji Nagel showcases his talented friends every Thursday 6 to 8 p.m. Free. Info: www thesuttlelodge.com.

Paulina Springs Books Author reading: George Sorensen presents "Hot Dish Conﬁdential:" That Year My Friends Taught me to Cook," 6:30 p.m. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

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

Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Trivia Night 12th annual family-friendly trivia. Free. 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Sign up at 5:30 Info: call 541-549-2471

Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards Live Music: Heller Highwater Band 5 to 8 p.m. Advanced tickets required: www.faithhopeandcharityevents.com/eventcenter

FRIDAY • AUGUST 29

Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards Live Music: Pete Kartsounes 6 to 9 p.m. Advanced tickets required: www.faithhopeandcharityevents.com/event-center

Loretta Jean Kriege, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2025, in Redmond, Oregon. She was born on November 13, 1947, in Kalispell, Montana, to Roy and Nina Grant.

Sisters High School Sports Field Starshine Stargazing Tour 8:15 to 9:30 p.m. Enjoy the brilliance of Central Oregon's incredible night sky together with a local naturalist and educator. You'll hear an ancient story about the stars, locate constellations, and see visible planets, the moon, and other astronomical objects through a 6" telescope Tickets and info: starshine-theater.com/sisters-stargazing

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

Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke with Gaby 8 p.m. to midnight. Information call 541-549-6114.

Loretta’s life was a beautiful testament to love, generosity, and community. On July 16, 1972, she married the love of her life, Richard Kriege, in Camp Sherman. Together, they built a home filled with warmth, laughter, and the joy of family.

She was a devoted mother to her two daughters, Karen (Matt) Garthwaite and Anita (Scott) Quinn, and lovingly embraced her stepsons Rick (Donna) Kriege and Grant (Nancy) Ausk as her own. Her legacy lives on through her eight grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren, each one holding a special place in her heart.

Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke with Gaby 8 p.m. to midnight. Information call 541-549-6114.

SATURDAY • AUGUST 30

The Yard at Hardtails Live Music: Valhalla Led Zeppelin tribute band, 8 p.m. Tickets, $20 at BendTicket.com.

Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture "Intermediate Fiber Workshop: Sew and Apron with Naturally Dyed Fabric" with Madelaine Corbin. Two-day workshop, August 30–31, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration: roundhousefoundation.org/events.

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

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

Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards Live Music: The Cider Janes 6 to 9 p.m. Advanced tickets required: www.faithhopeandcharityevents.com/event-center

SUNDAY • AUGUST 31

Sisters Saloon Live Music: Honey Don’t 6 to 8 p.m. on the patio Free and open to all ages

Fir Street Park Sisters Farmers Market

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors, music, community booth, kids activities. Info: www.sistersfarmersmarket.com.

Sisters Saloon Live Music: Honey Don’t 6 to 8 p.m. on the patio Free and open to all ages Fir Street Park Sisters Farmers Market 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors, music, community booth, kids activities. Info: www.sistersfarmersmarket.com.

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

MONDAY • SEPT. 1

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.

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

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Nina Grant; her sister, Carol Eaton; her brothers, Melvin and Allen Grant; and her greatgrandson, Richard Wiezcorek.

She is survived by her loving husband, Richard; her children, Karen, Anita, Rick, and Grant; as well as her extended family and many dear friends who were touched by her warmth, kindness, and wisdom.

A longtime resident of Sisters, Loretta later relocated to Yuma, Arizona. She dedicated many years to her career in banking in both Sisters and Redmond, serving her community with pride and professionalism. Beyond her work, she was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and a cherished part of a gourmet cooking group—a circle of treasured friends who shared her passion for creativity in the kitchen.

Loretta inspired everyone she met with her grace, compassion, and unwavering devotion to those she loved. Her absence will be deeply felt, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

A burial service will be held for friends and family on August 23, at 1 p.m. at the Arlington Masonic Cemetery, 1425 Main St., Arlington, OR 97812. A celebration of life will be held locally at a future date.

Loretta Jean Kriege November 13, 1947 – August 7, 2025

Sheriff’s Office addresses more animal neglect

Another case of animal neglect has put puppies in danger.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office received a report of animal neglect involving 23 dogs at a property in the 3100 block of NE O’Neil Way, in Redmond on August 11.

Animal Control

Technician Michelle White responded and located four adult dogs and 19 puppies, approximately six to eight weeks old. The pit bull mixes were found in metal wire crates covered with thick blankets — as the temperature on that Monday reached 100 degrees.

Sergeant Aaron Harding and Deputies Michael Dolan and Dean Marshall arrived to assist. The dogs were panting heavily and showing signs of heat exhaustion. The owners of the dogs, Nicole Allison Sly, 45, and Jeremy Shane De France, 49, were not home at the time, and deputies could not reach them by phone.

Due to the immediate danger to the animals’ health, deputies removed the most vulnerable puppies— some found crawling in dirt in direct sunlight—and placed them in an air-conditioned patrol vehicle. All 23 dogs were transported to BrightSide Animal Center in Redmond.

Shelter staff took immediate action to cool the puppies by providing fresh water, increasing air circulation with box fans, and applying cooling compresses. Staff documented that the puppies’ body temperatures ranged from 103 to 104.7 degrees, consistent with heat exhaustion. The puppies survived, and are now doing well under the care of BrightSide staff, DCSO reports.

Sly and De France later contacted deputies and agreed to surrender all the dogs. Both are facing 23 counts of Animal Neglect.

Members of the public who want to support or are interested in giving these dogs a safe, loving home can learn more about the adoption process, volunteering, or ways to give by visiting BrightSide Animal Center at 1355 NE Hemlock Ave. in Redmond, calling 541923-0882, or going online to www.brightsideanimals.org.

Adoption hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Warding off skin cancer in Central Oregon

By Katy Yoder Correspondent

Living at a higher elevation with the high desert sun of Central Oregon increases risk of skin cancers.

Dr. Gerald Peters, MD, of Peters Dermatology Center in Bend, has been practicing dermatology for over 20 years. His practice covers skin cancer treatment and Mohs Surgery among other treatment options. He took time out of a busy schedule to answer questions about skin cancer as it pertains to living and recreating in Central Oregon.

He stressed that living in Central Oregon can increase chances of skin cancer. Several environmental factors are responsible for the increase: Central Oregon’s higher elevation means the atmosphere is thinner and provides less protection from ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

In recent years, local news agencies include a UV Intensity Scale in their weather reports. The UV index measures the strength of sunburn-producing ultraviolet radiation. The higher the index, the faster your skin can burn.

Dr. Peters sited common recommendations for

intensity levels. A 0-2 is low and requires minimal protection. 3-5 is moderate requiring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A 6-7 is considered high, requiring SPF 30+ and seeking shade. An 8-10 is very high and extra protection is essential. The 11+ range is extreme, meaning it’s strongly advised to avoid sun exposure as much as possible. In Central Oregon, UV levels often reach “high” to “very high” during summer months, and even on cool or cloudy days. Other factors like time of day, season, cloud cover, and proximity to reflective surfaces (snow or water) play a role in UV intensity.

The elevation of the Sisters area directly contributes to a higher baseline UV radiation level.

Another important factor is people’s skin types, which make them more or less susceptible to skin cancer. Dr. Peters says people with fair skin that burns easily, lightcolored eyes (blue or green), and blond or red hair make them more vulnerable. People with freckled skin, moles, or atypical nevi (moles), as well as those exposed to excessive UV radiation from natural or tanning beds, and people with weakened immune systems from an illness or medications

all have a higher risk of having UV damage. Dr. Peters’ top tips for avoiding skin cancer include using a broadspectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) daily.

“Mineral sunscreens with active ingredients of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are physical blocking sunscreens and tend to do a better job of protecting the skin from UV damage,” said Dr. Peters. “Reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming/sweating. Wear protective clothing like long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats and UV-blocking sunglasses. Seek shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. which are peak UV hours.”

Avoiding tanning beds entirely is recommended, as well as doing monthly skin self-checks for new or changing moles/spots. Visiting a dermatologist annually for a professional skin exam provides professional assessment of any prospective skin cancer.

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer but is highly treatable if caught early.

Early detection saves lives — look for the ABCDEs of melanoma: Asymmetry; Border irregularity; Color

—Dr. Gerald Peters

variation; Diameter greater than 6mm; Evolving shape/ size/color.

Dr. Peters wants people to know that UV damage is cumulative and that protecting your skin consistently reduces long-term risk. Additional information can be found at the Center for Disease Control Skin Cancer Awareness page. Resources are available through the National Cancer Institute, www.cancer. gov. Learn more at the Skin Cancer Foundation at www. skincancer.org. For information about Peters Dermatology Center, visit www.petersderm.com.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with about one in five Americans developing it by age 70. With dedicated doctors like Dr. Peters, there’s hope, tools for avoiding more UV damage, and treatments that give people the best chance to live long healthy lives.

acute pancreatitis, a lifethreatening condition. He had been in ICU for 14 days and is now off a ventilator.

Peebles, 36, from Redmond, was the 2015 Bareback Rider World Champion.

Preceding the auction was a raffle drawing with the winner giving back the $200 plus winnings in support of Peebles. Likewise, the bartenders donated all their tips to the cause.

Following the spirited auction pitting bidders from Prineville against folk from Sisters Country, a ticket drawing was held. About 30 tickets were drawn where winners could choose from a range of prizes.

Then came the moment people had been waiting for –the announcement of eminent volunteers who had made outstanding contributions to the 85th Sisters Rodeo’s unqualified success.

First was recognizing the Junior Volunteers shown in the accompanying photo. Or about half of them. The others were either on extended camping trips or prepping for return to fall classes.

Next up were the special honorees beginning with Bill Williams, one of those many volunteers who seldom see the inside of the arena when

there is a performance as they are elsewhere on the grounds, or worked before or after the event, making sure that it’s a well-oiled machine.

Board President Scott Talerico sang Williams’ praises: “Bill Williams is a dedicated member and volunteer whose hard work keeps the rodeo running smoothly. He assists with everything from parking and traffic during events to the ongoing care and maintenance of the grounds.

“Bill ensures the grass is watered, the lawns are mowed, and the facilities are well cared for, creating a welcoming environment for all. His dependability, hands-on efforts, and constant presence make him a huge asset to the rodeo and an essential part of its continued success.”

Talerico expressed gratitude at the many younger volunteers, the future generations that will steer it into the future. Like honoree Taylie Hammock Bennett who among many tasks facilitates The Nugget’s access to all things rodeo to keep our readers informed.

“Taylie serves as the bookkeeper for the rodeo, ensuring accurate financial records and smooth operations,” Talerico said. “Beyond her official role, she is an active member and dedicated volunteer, contributing her time and talents in many ways.

“She photographs events, helps clean and prepare buildings before rodeo

season, and takes on various tasks that support the success of the organization. Her commitment, reliability, and willingness to step in

wherever needed make her an invaluable part of the rodeo team.”

All the honorees were greeted with spontaneous

applause. They showed humility in accepting their recognition, seeming to take it all in stride as just another day at the rodeo.

PROUD TO BE A PA RT O F THE NUGGET

“O ur positive response from your readers has been very good. In fact, equally as good as our internet exposure. W hen your sta changed our ad a little bit, added color, it made a huge di erence. I have a high regard for hard work and boots on the ground hustling , and that ’s what you guys do. I am proud to be part of e Nugget.”

Sisters Rodeo runs on volunteer effort. The rodeo association honored those volunteers last Saturday night.

PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT

Outlaws soccer prepares for upcoming season

By Rongi Yost Correspondent

The boys soccer team lost five senior players who were instrumental in building the strength of the program, but Coach Jeff Husmann is excited for the upcoming season.

He told The Nugget there will be opportunities for growth, both individually as well as collectively as to what the identity of the team will be.

Seven seniors are back for their final year with the program, including Mason Dahl, Nick Palmer, Jesse Polachek, Ivan Alport, Joseph Derksen, Dugan Draper, and Frank Trask.

Dahl, Palmer, and Polachek are all back for their third year on the varsity squad.

Dahl has put in a lot of work this past summer and coaches are expecting big things from him this year.

“Mason is a skilled and crafty player,” said Husmann. “He is offensive-minded, and has greatly improved his work rate.”

Palmer has also worked hard this past summer, and, according to Husmann, is ready to be a strong leader of the team.

“Nick is a very tough minded and versatile player and will likely be playing as

a holding midfielder,” said Husmann.

Polachek spent last year at a soccer academy in Liverpool, England, and Husmann is thrilled to have him back on the team.

“Jesse is a special player,” said Husmann. “While in Liverpool, he continued to pursue his athletic goals. He is such a natural leader, highly motivated, and will certainly bolster our defense. Above all, he is kind and humble.”

Alport, Draper, and Trask return for their second year on varsity.

Husmann noted that Alport is a skilled and feisty competitor, is offensive-minded, and has a nose for the goal.

Draper plays as an outside midfielder and is a fast and tenacious competitor, and Husmann told The Nugget he has the potential to really influence a game. Trask is a tough and versatile defender and Husmann noted he has the opportunity to be an impact player this year.

Derksen, the teams’ goalkeeper, also returns as a second-year varsity player.

“Joseph has worked very hard this off-season building fitness and honing his goal keeping skills,” said Husmann. “It’s such an asset to have a guy in goal who understands the job. He is a strong leader and always positive when coaching up the

younger guys.”

Juniors Tyler Hamlington, Grayson Humpert, Ezra Oncken, and Mason Brang are also on the varsity roster.

Hamlington (secondyear varsity) will play at the midfield position and make big contributions to the team. Husmann noted that Hamlington has great spatial awareness, is a skilled ball handler, and sets high expectations for himself.

Humpert (second-year varsity) is also a midfielder. He has good size and speed, and a great work rate, and Husmann told The Nugget this could be a breakout year for him.

Oncken (first-year varsity) is new to the team but has already proved he’s a solid defender with a strong soccer IQ.

Brang is a scrappy and fearless defender and will see his first season on the varsity pitch. He is expected to be a big contributor to the Outlaws’ tough defense this year.

Sophomores JB Geenwood, Jasper Jensen, Felix Montanez, Alex Nieto, and Oldin Rea all return for their second season on varsity. Greenwood plays at striker

and has a nose for the goal. Jensen is a very versatile and skilled player and will see lots of minutes on the field. Montanez is a midfielder who loves the game and is a very coachable player. Nieto will play at both midfield and striker. Husmann noted that the Outlaws had to use Nieto as a striker last year and stated he will continue to gain confidence as a spine player. Rea is a tenacious defender and also a coachable player and a natural leader.

Husmann and his coaching staff are especially excited about this group of sophomores.

“This is the group that has the most potential to influence the success of our team this year,” said Husmann. “Some of these guys contributed on the varsity pitch last year and some will certainly step up and be impact players this year.”

Several players will play JV, but will see some time on the varsity pitch, including senior Jamie Tapia, sophomores Michael Clayton, Griffon Dyer, Dominic Huffman, and freshmen Cormac Lichvarchik and Ajax Erdekian.

Tapia worked hard in the off-season to improve and should be a contributor on the varsity squad. Clayton is both versatile and skilled, and is adjusting to the speed of the varsity game. Dyer has great speed, is developing his skills, and will play at both defender and at midfield. Huffman is also a defender and a fearless and tough player. Lichvarchik is a skilled player with a strong soccer IQ. Erdekian, a motivated player with good size and speed, will see time as a defender and at midfield.

Husmann said, “One positive trend is that we seem to continue to have strong numbers of players, in particular the sophomores. The success of our team will, to some extent, rely on how these younger guys step up. A key identity of our team the past several years has been the positive culture we have established. There is a challenge and an opportunity for these younger guys to continue this strong reputation.” As the team looks ahead they realize that Santiam Christian, Creswell, Central Linn, and Siuslaw will all be tough teams to face, but they are up for the challenge.

PROCESS: City will update its public art program

Continued from page 1

Mayor Letz confirmed that the landscaping option selected would include the inside and surrounding area of the Locust Roundabout and will eventually accommodate the placement of art.

• The documentation to Council advised possible updates to the 2020 Public Art Program and suggested Council consider factors to ensure the program, “reflects the community’s values ... and supports local culture.” When asked where one might find a list of the values and statement of the local culture, Letz proposed that the work to revise and update the Public Art Program would include the creation of a permanent public art advisory committee or board who could define what is meant by those terms.

• Councilor Pellerin suggested it would be worthwhile if the future advisory group could tie the above terms back to the Sisters Country Vision, if possible (sistersvision.org).

• When asked about City Staff’s suggestion of a curated list of pre-qualified artists and if that might be seen as “gatekeeping,” Letz felt it might be used as a reference when needed and its use would depend on many variables. Letz added, if necessary for a particular project to move quickly, such a list may help. Pellerin noted that if a prequalified list were to be created it must be clear what exactly is meant by “qualified,” regarding artists.

• In the workshop, Letz thanked the art advisory board for their work during an eight-month selection process. In explanation as to why Council did not select either of the two finalists, Letz noted that the two finalists were not enthusiastically supported by the public. The separation in number of supporting public votes between the two finalists was very small and the percentage of public engagement was notably low.

• When asked why did the Dyrk Godby proposal (“The Match” sculpture of Lane Frost riding Red Rock) did not become a finalist in the procurement process, Letz and Pellerin made clear that Godby’s proposals to both calls for submittals did not advance because the total price was excessive. (See related story, page 1.)

• Prosser was asked the same question and she provided greater details: Godby’s submittals did not meet the budget criteria in the request, to not exceed $175,000. Godby’s initial price was $420,000 without any budgeting line items supporting the total price. His second submission’s price was $380,000 that included a note that fundraising activities would fund the balance of total price beyond the City’s budget criteria. Again, budget line items were not provided.

According to Councilors, the Locust Street roundabout will eventually have art, but for now, Council and Staff are going to improve the art procurement process. Councilor Pellerin stated, “We [Council] remain focused on continuous improvements of all programs through time.”

Book fest, library partner for keynote

The Sisters Festival of Books will present its keynote address in partnership with Deschutes Public Library: “Discussing A Hole in the Sky,” and “The El: A Conversation on Survival, Identity, and Storytelling.” This featured conversation brings together two acclaimed indigenous authors — Daniel H. Wilson and Theodore C. Van Alst, Jr. — for an exploration of survival, identity, and the power of storytelling to connect us across cultures and experiences.

Daniel H. Wilson, a New York Times bestselling author known for “Robopocalypse,” returns with “A Hole in the Sky” — a sweeping first-contact novel in the most creative tradition of extraterrestrial fiction. Drawing on Wilson’s unique background as both a threat forecaster for the United States Air Force and a Cherokee Nation citizen, this propulsive novel asks probing questions about nonhuman intelligence, the Western mindset, and humans’ understanding of reality.

Theodore C. Van Alst, Jr., co-editor of the bestselling anthology “Never Whistle at Night,” presents “The El,” a semi-autobiographical novel that follows a group of teenage gang members as they trek across Chicago to a momentous meeting, inspired by the cult classic film, “The Warriors.” Immersed in the sights, sounds, and smells of the author’s beloved city, “The El” will transport you to that singular sun- and bloodsoaked day in Chicago. It is

a love letter to another time, to a city, and to a group of friends trying to find their place and make their way in a world that doesn’t want them.

Together, Wilson and Van Alst will share an hour of thought-provoking conversation that spans speculative futures and contemporary realities, exploring how fiction can illuminate what it means to endure, to resist,

and to find meaning through story.

The keynote will take place on Saturday, September 13, at 3:30 p.m. at Sisters Movie House and is free and open to all. No ticket is required — just bring your curiosity and a love for stories that challenge, inspire, and endure.

For more information, visit www.sistersfob.org.

Daniel H. Wilson.

PHOTO PROVIDED Theodore C. Van Alst, Jr.

PHOTO PROVIDED

GRANTS: City provides boost for local nonprofits

from page 3

The councilor will enter on their spreadsheet the amounts to fund applicants they find deserving of an award. Each spreadsheet’s funding total is not allowed to exceed $30,000, therefore amounts funded are at times less than what is being requested. All five spreadsheets are then mechanically assessed and the results show which applicants received the most support (applicants selected for an award by three or more councilors).

This process of five privately determined lists of applicants to award and the mechanized merging of the five was completed prior to the August 13 general meeting

of Council. In that meeting, after the consent agenda was approved, Director of Finance and Human Resources Joe O’Neill presented the results to Council and noted there was a small amount remaining. He suggested spreading the remainder evenly among all winning applicants.

After discussion, Council approved O’Neill’s suggestion and the awardees will soon be presented with their funds. (See list below.)

The Councilors who had completed previous assessments, thanked O’Neill stating that the process is more efficient and fairer than previously experienced.

Each recipient is expected to provide the City with a written account of how the funds were used. View information about the program and previous recipients at www. ci.sisters.or.us/administration/ page/community-grants.

Council Awards Community Grants to 27 Organizations for 2025/26:

Age Friendly Sisters CountryRake It

Age Friendly Sisters CountryServing Our Seniors Band of Brothers Camp Polk Pioneer Cemetery

Preservation Committee

Citizens4Community CORE (Community, Outreach, Resources & Emergency Shelter)

Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration

Firewise Neighborhoods in Sisters Country Furry Friends Habitat for Humanity Heart of Oregon Corps NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

Outlaw Basketball Rotary Club of Sisters Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District

Sisters Farmers Market

Sisters Festival of Books

Sisters Folk Festival

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show

Sisters Science Club

Sisters Trails Alliance SMART Reading SOLE (Sisters Outdoor Leadership Experience) STARS

Three Sisters Historical Society Treehouse Therapies VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) - Sisters

Locals can hone shotgun skills

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) will host a shotgun skills workshop August 23, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Bend Trap Club.

In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn everything about shotguns from nomenclature, ammunition, firearm safety, handling, and shooting skills on moving targets. The skills learned will help participants be more successful while hunting ducks, upland, and other game birds as well as improving performance at the shotgun range.

This workshop is designed for adults age 18 and older. Shotguns and ammunition are provided by ODFW though participants are welcome to bring a personal shotgun.

Spots are limited so register now. The cost is $25. Register at https://vem.myodfw.com/ eventprofile/399.

ODFW offers a variety of hands-on learning workshops to teach newcomers and those wanting to brush up on their skills how to hunt and fish.

Sisters Rodeo elects 2026 officers

The Sisters Rodeo Association has elected its officers and directors for the 2026 season. Scott Talerico will continue as President for his third year, with Brian Greig serving a second year as Vice President. Blaine Cheney was reelected as Treasurer, and Debbie Manning, in her first year on the board, will serve as Secretary.

The 2026 Board of Directors includes Mark Griffin, Dani Bialous, Scott Miller, Hank Moss, John Doyle, Cam Quistgard, and Amorita Anstett.

“As the Sisters Rodeo continues to grow, having the right people is imperative. The enthusiasm has never

been stronger,” said President Scott Talerico.

Vice President Brian Greig added, “Fresh ideas and agility in an ever-changing business is imperative for the long-term success of the Sisters Rodeo.”

Talerico followed up by saying, “Sisters Rodeo is on the map nationwide. We will capitalize on the massive success in 2025 for our fans, contestants, personnel, and the Sisters community.”

Known as “The Biggest Little Show in the World,” the Sisters Rodeo remains a proud tradition and cornerstone event for the community.

The Sisters Rodeo takes place the second week of June.

SMALL FIRE: Danger will be extreme in coming days

State of Oregon.

Central Oregon public lands are currently in Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions which prohibit open fires, including wood stoves and charcoal briquette fires across the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forest, Crooked River National Grassland, and Prineville BLM except within designated, developed campgrounds.

Under Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions internal combustion engines, including chainsaws, are prohibited between 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For more details on public use restrictions and a full list of designated campgrounds where campfires are permitted in Central Oregon, visit https://centraloregonfire. org/2025/07/15/deschuteswilderness-areas-addedto-stage-1-public-use-firerestrictions-starting-july-18/.

CITY: Council worked through multiple items of business

Continued from page 1

completed,” which means that all preliminary infrastructure has been tested, inspected, and approved for operation. The developer will complete some portions of the infrastructure to connect or align to the development structures. Once complete and fully tested, Council reviews and approves the check lists confirming all is operational. After that, certificates of occupancy can be issued.

• Approve the transit services two-year agreement between Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the City for Public Transportation Services and to authorize City Manager Jordan Wheeler to execute the agreement. The local transit system is Cascades East Transit (CET) which receives a reimbursement fund from ODOT. The funding from ODOT is managed

locally by Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC). During the agreement period, the City will pay COIC, $3,563.50 per year for CET services. The amount due is included in the City’s budget for the current fiscal year.

• Approve a goods and services agreement with Powers of Automation Inc. (POA) for $29,587,88. POA will build, program, install, and test a new headworks fine screen control panel. The current panel is obsolete and beyond its operating life having been created and installed fiscal year 2000-2001 when the original wastewater treatment plant for the City was constructed. The system of equipment and control panel worked well for 24 years, with a few minor repairs. Recently, damage to the equipment — screen basket and rake/comb and brush assembly — required replacement which was accomplished. What remains is replacing the entire control panel to assure efficient and high performance during wastewater treatment.

This contract work required Council approval because it is above the City Manager’s’s $25,000 spending authority.

Highlights from City Staff reports:

• The City is seeking funding to extend the Sisters Civic Leadership Academy program another two years.

• Oregon’s R327 building hardening administrative rules for 2025 are out (include local adoption, mandatory provisions, cost implications, and fire hardening standards). City staff will work with Deschutes County to flesh out impacts.

• The City received 144 applications for the City’s Associate Planner position and have narrowed that field down to five promising candidates.

• In the Urban Growth Boundary steering committee (UGB-SC) final meeting they recommended the City move forward with Concept A. This will be considered by City’s Planning Commission on September 21. The Planning Commission’s recommendation will go to Council’s

September 24 meeting.

• The City has a bus shelter on order for Sisters Gateway Park and Transportation Hub. Also the fencing, labyrinth, and dog park are near completion.

• The new Northwest Park Master Plan for the wooded area Northeast of the Barkley Roundabout will be reviewed by the City Parks Advisory Board September 3 and on September 10 reviewed by the Council.

Highlights from Councilor reports:

• Councilor Cheryl Pellerin made a suggestion to allow owners to remove juniper or other flammable trees in a more expeditious manner and received a nod from Council to look into possible process improvements.

• Mayor Jennifer Letz expressed her appreciation and recognition of “a great volunteer Annie Marland,” who passed away recently (obituary is in The Nugget of August 13). Letz noted that Marland was a power house to the end — providing numerous services to the people of Sisters for many years.

The Nugget is committed to partnering with the Sisters business community so we all can succeed. This campaign includes expanded Sisters business coverage in August and September issues of The Nugget, opportunities for print and online advertising packages at discounted rates, and an exciting new social media feed on NuggetNews.com.

For some of this work, we’re partnering with the Small Business Association here in town, which is working to help local businesses ﬁnd resources, networking and educational opportunities to help them succeed and thrive. You can connect with Sisters Business Association and support their mission at www.sistersba.com.

Working together, we can build prosperity and vibrancy in our community Keep it local, and keep it strong.

Our “Neighbors at Work” special section will land before Labor Day featuring local employees that keep Sisters commerce ﬂowing. Want to nominate a local employee? Email editor@nuggetnews.com.

SCULPTURE:

roundabout. While we discussed the piece informally, no official action was taken. A majority of Councilors expressed openness to exploring alternate locations, should the artist and donors be interested and additional private funding secured.

“We have received a number of other unsolicited designs or concepts for roundabout art, as well. While people are welcome to share ideas, we do not have an open submission process at the moment. And when we do, we must treat submissions equally, especially because of the use of city taxpayer dollars (for the purchase, installation, maintenance, and staff time dedicated to the process).”

Workshops do not include public input. When the workshop ended and the regular Council meeting began, one after another of the audience came to the lectern and spoke passionately about the history and significance of the bull and its rider and its place in Sisters. Two speakers spoke against the artwork.

Speakers talked of their strongly held beliefs that the proposal met all the criteria put forth by the project and that it had strong public backing. Dismay and frustration rang from their lips that the work was not met with acceptance by Council.

The audience seemed not to sense a clear direction from council to staff as to the next steps. Seven options were presented to council the last two of which centered around landscaping, one with welcome signage and one with landscaping only.

With private funding committed to making up the cost difference, and believing the art was widely in favor among the people of Sisters Country, supporters were perplexed, some bitter. It is the major topic of conversation in Sisters.

Mayor Letz explained to The Nugget that, “As a City, we must follow a consistent process when public funds are involved, ensuring all submissions are evaluated using the same criteria. This is the same for other procurements, like contractors, suppliers, etc.

“Dyrk Godby’s proposals did not meet the budget requirements outlined in both Calls for Art, which capped project budgets at $175,000. His first submission proposed a $420,000 price without supporting budget details, and the second listed $380,000 with only a general note about ongoing fundraising—no additional financial information was provided. As a result, the application did not

advance as a finalist.”

Councilor Cheryl Pellerin emphasized that there was no decision made in the workshop.

“City workshops are different than City Council meetings as they are a time for council to discuss options, weigh in on them, consider other councilor’s opinions in order to make a final decision/ vote in a future City Council meeting. Some councilors change their initial opinions when listening to the other councilors, some do not but a final decision for the art is not made in the workshop.”

City Manager Jordan Wheeler took council to be unambiguous.

“The Council directed staff to proceed with just landscaping the roundabout at this time,” Wheeler said.

He elaborated: “The Council also gave direction last night for staff to begin the process of establishing a public art advisory committee.

That will be coming back to Council in the fall for their approval. Once that committee is established, we will be working with the committee on the process for selecting and procuring public art, including the roundabout.

“In the meantime, we will be adding additional landscaping to the roundabout as part of the upcoming landscaping work around the intersection. Councilors also expressed interest in exploring locations other than the roundabout for the Red Rock/ Lane Frost Sculpture if that was of interest to the artist and donor and if funding is available or allocated.”

Patty Cordoni is a spokesperson for the citizen group promoting the Red Rock sculpture for the roundabout.

“We were very disappointed with the Council’s decision to remove ‘The Match’ bronze statue as a candidate for the roundabout, but I don’t think this is the

end of our discussions with them,” she said. “We will have further discussions with the Council regarding their concerns about public safety, landscaping, and reducing foot-traffic access to the statue. Addressing their concerns and being creative will take time, but I believe it is possible as we move forward with civil communications.”

When asked if the donor would be agreeable to a

different location, Cordoni said, “My understanding, at this time, is that the Council is now holding the $175,000 for the roundabout, which only leaves the donor’s $200,000 to work with. Until we have time to work with the Council/ Art Committee, we cannot know if this is an option that the donor would want to participate in and where the balance of the needed funds will come from.”

That Spiri t is reflected in an adventurous way of life. Some of that adventure is found out in the landscape, on the trails and rivers. But adventure is also found in the creative and entrepreneurial Spiri t that shows up in local businesses, philanthropic efforts, the work of artists and musicians — even in the food and drink we enjoy. It’s a can-do Spiri t, a Spiri t of exploration that isn’t found just anywhere. We take inspiration from the magnificence of nature — and also from the dedicated work that so many of Central Oregon’s people are involved in, from nonprofits to arts and entertainment to specialty manufacturing and unique dining. That’s the Spiri t of Central Oregon.

15,000 MAGAZINES PRINTED plus digital distribution

Spirit of Central Oregon magazine is widely distributed for free throughout Central Oregon at high-traﬃc and strategic locations in Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver, Prineville, Madras, Tumalo, and Terrebonne.

Digital magazine distributed free year-round at NuggetNews.com and issuu.com. (Scan QR code above to read the full archive online now.)

Artist Dyrk Godby created a graphic image depicting how a fence could be placed to alleviate safety concerns about the proposed roundabout sculpture of Lane Frost and Red Rock.

Practice makes perfect

By Edie Jones Columnist

The summer break is fast disappearing, and school bells will soon ring for many in the Sisters community. No more sleeping in, lounging around in pajamas, and staying up for an indefinite bedtime.

What else needs to happen to complete this transition, in addition to shopping for new pants for legs that grew during the summer and planning ahead for packing lunches?

Having an opportunity to visit a new school, whether a kindergartner, middle, or high school student helps a lot to diminish anxiety. Stepping inside a classroom and sitting at a desk relieves a lot of uncertainty. These steps may seem obvious, yet it is easy to get so busy in the next couple of weeks that they get overlooked.

If you are new to the Sisters School District, be sure all documentation has followed your student. It’ll make those first few days much easier for everyone.

While many kids have stayed in contact with friends during the summer, several may not if traveling, attending camp, or visiting grandparents happened during the break. Inviting friends and their parents over for a casual afternoon gathering will help to get the process of rejoining started. This is especially true if your student is introverted or on the shyer side, making it difficult to build friendships.

During summer’s warm, relaxed days, with few schedules and demands, staying organized may not have been a priority. Like it or not, this is one of the things that shifts into high

gear once September gets here. Practicing these skills before they are needed will pay dividends. Teachers will appreciate it, your life will be easier, and, even if they don’t recognize it, your kids will thank you. Get binders and folders, creating ways to store homework and information. The easier it is for kids to find what they are looking for the more appealing it will be to do the work and consequently enjoy going to school.

Besides getting your kids used to the idea of an alarm going off, it’s a good idea to get mealtime back on a regular schedule and reinstate routine family jobs like setting the table, drying dishes, or keeping their room tidy. Keep in mind that necessary responsibilities like these learned in childhood will follow them into adult life. Someday you may have a future wife or husband thank you for these training sessions.

As the use of technology becomes the norm for teaching, more time will be spent in front of screens. As valuable as the information gained and the convenience of finding it is, boundaries around its use are important. A rule of thumb, the younger your child the fewer minutes allowed, will help. Research shows the developing brain is impacted by constant use, and socialization and communication skills can be interrupted when screens take the place of person-toperson interaction. As a new grade or class is entered, check-in with teachers to learn how much time they expect your child to be using technology. See if there’s any room for negotiation if it’s more than you think appropriate. As in all areas of learning, the best results

occur when partnerships between schools and parents are created.

For the past two and a half months, many kids have been relying on spontaneous, carefree play for vigorous, energetic exercise. With the onslaught of sitting in groups, listening to an adult, and viewing computer screens, physical activity may start to suffer. Even though you want to avoid over-programming your young athletes, you want to be sure they are participating in some physically challenging group activities. The skills they learn will pay off in creating healthy bodies, following directions, working as a team, and leadership, all of which can transfer to the classroom and enhance their academic ability.

Equally important is checking in with your young scholar on their self-actualization, believing they can achieve something on their own. If they are always holding back, waiting for someone to tell them what and how to do something, they may need some help. Try giving an assignment of something you need done, with little or no instruction, and see how well they do. Be sure it’s age appropriate and then stand back. If you want it done by a certain time, let them know. If it doesn’t happen or isn’t done well, instead of scolding, ask what happened, why it had not happened, or what they could have done differently. Give them a chance to try again. Did they understand what it was you had asked for, its importance, and that you believe they can do it?

In many ways, this is what will be expected when they return to school. Remember, practice makes perfect.

Bull by Bull

By Judy Bull Columnist

When the freshly painted, bright yellow front door opened, I was greeted by a beautiful smile under a big black cowboy hat atop a tiny, little woman. I was looking at Carol Jacquet for the first time.

I had heard that Carol was trying to track me down through friends and The Nugget in order to give me a pastel portrait she had done of Vernon Smith in 2004. Turns out years ago she and Vernon belonged to some of the same art groups, including Mirror Pond Gallery, and she wanted his portrait to go to his family before she left this old earth.

Carol is 94-years-young, and lives alone off the grid just over the river in Lower Bridge. She gets her electricity using both a generator and solar panels, and heats the beautiful home she had built in 1994 with an old wood stove. “I can always count on Doug Cavanaugh to keep my woodpile supplied and perfectly stacked year in and year out,” she proudly shared.

Carol’s home is filled with sunlight pouring through floor to ceiling windows and every wall, high

and low, is enriched by her art work, including landscapes, horses, children, seascapes, and portraits in all the different mediums. Her huge yard, which she tends herself, is beautifully planned and includes a newly planted area of cacti. She was thrilled to see (“Without my glasses!”) new growth on the tips of her cacti that very afternoon. In 1993, after raising her family, five daughters and a son, Carol moved from Salem to Central Oregon and began having her home built. Besides her six kids she has a passel of grandkids and a few great grandkids, all of whom she happily named in less than a minute, and some of whom live in Central Oregon. Though she no longer drives, she has excellent support and “couldn’t ask for a better life!”

We had a great time sharing life stories and we got a good laugh at ourselves over how little either of us knows about fixing electronic “gadgets,” her CD player having quit the day before “right in the middle of my favorite Cat Stevens song!”

Carol Jacquet: Grace, joy, and love all in one package, she is. Joyful peace and peaceful joy, that too.

Establishing an AI code of practice

By Paige Gross Oregon Capital Chronicle

American companies are split between support and criticism of a new voluntary European AI code of practice, meant to help tech companies align themselves with upcoming regulations from the European Union’s landmark AI Act.

The voluntary code, called the General Purpose AI Code of Practice, which rolled out in July, is meant to help companies jump-start their compliance. Even non-European companies will be required to meet certain standards of transparency, safety, security, and copyright compliance to operate in Europe come August 2027.

Many tech giants have already signed the code of practice, including Amazon, Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, IBM, Microsoft, Mistral AI, Cohere, and Fastweb. But others have refused.

In July, Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan said in a statement on Linkedin that the company would not commit.

“Europe is heading down the wrong path on AI. We have carefully reviewed the European Commission’s Code of Practice for generalpurpose AI (GPAI) models and Meta won’t be signing it,” he wrote. “This Code introduces a number of legal uncertainties for model developers, as well as measures which go far beyond the scope of the AI Act.”

Though Google’s President of Global Affairs Kent Walker was critical of the code of practice in a company statement, Google has signed it, he said.

“We remain concerned that the AI Act and Code risk slowing Europe’s development and deployment of AI,” Walker wrote. “In particular, departures from EU copyright law, steps that slow approvals, or requirements that expose trade secrets could chill European model development and deployment, harming Europe’s competitiveness.” The divergent approach of U.S. and European regulators has showcased a clear difference in attitude about AI protections and development between the two markets, said Vivien Peaden, a tech and privacy attorney with Baker Donelson.

She compared the approaches to cars — Americans are known for fast, powerful vehicles, while European cars are stylish and eco-friendly.

“Some people will say, I’m really worried that this engine is too powerful. You could drive the car off a cliff, and there’s not much

you can do but to press the brake and stop it, so I like the European way,” Peaden said. “My response is, ‘Europeans make their car their way, right? You can actually tell the difference. Why? Because it was designed with a different mindset.’”

While the United States federal government has recently enacted some AI legislation through the Take It Down Act, which prohibits AI-generated nonconsensual depictions of individuals, it has not passed any comprehensive laws on how AI may operate. The Trump administration’s recent AI Action Plan paves a clear way for AI companies to continue to grow rapidly and unregulated.

But under the EU’s AI Act, tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Meta will need to be more transparent about how their models are trained and operated, and follow rules for managing systemic risks if they’d like to operate in Europe.

“Currently, it’s still voluntary,” Peaden said. “But I do believe it’s going to be one of the most influential standards in AI’s industry.”

The EU AI Act was passed last year to mitigate risk created by AI models, and the law creates “strict obligations” for models that are considered “high risk.”

High risk AI models are those that can pose serious risks to health, safety, or fundamental rights when used for employment, education, biometric identification, and law enforcement, the act said.

Some AI practices, including AI-based manipulation and deception, predictions of criminal offenses, social scoring, emotion recognition in workplaces and educational institutions and real-time biometric identification for law enforcement, are considered “unacceptable risk” and are banned from use in the EU altogether.

Some of these practices, like social scoring — using an algorithm to determine access to certain privileges or opportunities like mortgages or jail time — are widely used, and often unregulated in the United States.

While AI models that will be released after Aug. 2 already have to comply with the EU AI Act’s standards, large language models (LLMs) — the technical foundation of AI models — released before that date have through August 2027 to fully comply. The code of practice released last month offers a voluntary way for companies to get into compliance early, and with more leniency than when the 2027

deadline hits, it says.

The three chapters in the code of practice are transparency, copyright and safety, and security. The copyright requirements are likely where American and European companies are highly split, said Yelena Ambartsumian, founder of tech consultancy firm Ambart Law.

In order to train LLMs, you need a broad, highquality dataset with good grammar, Ambartsumian said. Many American LLMs turn to pirated collections of books.

“So [American companies] made a bet that, instead of paying for this content, licensing it, which would cost billions of dollars, the bet was okay, ‘we’re going to develop these LLMs, and then we’ll deal with the fallout, the lawsuits later,” Ambartsumain said. “But at that point, we’ll be in a position where, because of our war chest, or because of our revenue, we’ll be able to deal with the fallout of this fair use litigation.”

And those bets largely worked out. In two recent lawsuits, Bartz v. Anthropic and Kadrey v. Meta, judges ruled in favor of the AI developers based on the “fair use” doctrine, which allows people to use copyrighted material without permission in certain journalistic or creative contexts. In AI developer Anthropic’s case, Judge William Alsup likened the training process to how a human might read, process, and later draw on a book’s themes to create new content.

But the EU’s copyright policy bans developers from training AI on pirated content and says companies must also comply with content owners’ requests to not use their works in their datasets. It also outlines rules

about transparency with web crawlers, or how AI models rake through the internet for information. AI companies will also have to routinely update documentation about their AI tools and services for privacy and security.

Those subject to the requirements of the EU’s AI Act are general purpose AI models, nearly all of which are large American corporations, Ambartsumain said. Even if a smaller AI model comes along, it’s often quickly purchased by one of the tech giants, or they develop their own versions of the tool.

“I would also say that in the last year and a half, we’ve seen a big shift where no one right now is trying to develop a large language model that isn’t one of these large companies,” Ambartsumain said.

Regulations could bring markets together

There’s a “chasm” between the huge American tech companies and European startups, said Jeff Le, founder and managing partner of tech policy consultancy 100 Mile Strategies LLC. There’s a sense that Europe is trying to catch up with the Americans who have had unencumbered freedom to grow their models for years.

But Le said he thinks it’s interesting that Meta has categorized the code of practice as overreach.

“I think it’s an interesting comment at a time where Europeans understandably have privacy and data stewardship questions,” Le said. “And that’s not just in Europe. It’s in the United States too, where I think Gallup polls and other polls have revealed bipartisan support for consumer protection.”

As the code of practice

says, signing now will reduce companies’ administrative burden when the AI Act goes into full enforcement in August 2027. Le said that relationships between companies that sign could garner them more understanding and familiarity when the regulatory burdens are in place.

But some may feel the transparency or copyright requirements could cost them a competitive edge, he said.

“I can see why Meta, which would be an open model, they’re really worried about (the copyright) because this is a big part of their strategy and catching up with OpenAI and (Anthropic),” Le said. “So there’s that natural tension that will come from that, and I think that’s something worth noting.”

Le said that the large AI companies are likely trying to anchor themselves toward a framework that they think they can work with, and maybe even influence. Right now, the U.S. is a patchwork of AI legislation. Some of the protections outlined in the EU AI Act are mirrored in state laws, but there’s no universal code for global companies.

The EU’s code of practice could end up being that standard-setter, Peaden said.

“Even though it’s not mandatory, guess what? People will start following,” she said. “Frankly, I would say the future of building the best model lies in a few other players. And I do think that … if four out of five of the primary AI providers are following the general purpose AI code of practice, the others will follow.”

Republished under Creative Commons license

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 courtesy of https://oregon capitalchronicle.com/

SUDOKU

Easy Peasy!

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.

MATH SQU ARE

Use the numbers 1 through 16 to complete the equations. Each number is used once. Each row is a math equation. Each column is a math equation. Remember that multiplication and division are performed before addition and subtraction.

Find 8 hidden objects in the picture!

HOW MANY BEES?

WEATHER W ORDFIND

Tight Lines

By Chester Allen

The last light of the day glowed through a gap in the rimrock — creating silhouettes of rising trout on the Lower Deschutes River.

Flying bugs — caddisflies and Pale Evening Dun mayflies — gently batted against my face as I cast toward a big fish porpoising about 25 feet away. The water went from a chrome sheen to inky black in a split second, and I couldn’t see my size 16 Iris Caddis.

I had been trying to hook this fish for the past couple of weeks. This redside only came out to feed just before dark, and it was tough to see my fly. This was one of the biggest trout I’ve seen on the Deschutes this summer, and there are a lot of big trout on the Deschutes.

But I had a plan.

As I hiked the two miles back to the truck by

flashlight, I was glad that I’d pitched my little tent and set up my sleeping bag and inflatable mattress a few hours earlier. I planned to camp out on the river and be back at that same spot before sunrise.

I figured there was a really good chance that big fish would sidle into that buggy water just before sunrise — when a gray light falls on the river for an hour or so — to feed on all the dead bugs floating down the river from the night before. I love casting to these early morning feeders as they shark around in the water with their dorsal fins cutting the surface of the water.

These fish are used to casually sipping down the many dead bugs sprawled out on the water’s surface, and not many anglers are willing to make a long dawn patrol hike to their water. These trout are usually relaxed and greedy for the bugs.

But this bounty doesn’t last long. Most of these trout — and all the big ones — scoot into deep water when sun pokes above the canyon rimrock and turns the grey river into a sparkling greenish blue.

Hello, stars I admit it’s a little nutso to hike around the Deschutes in the height of summer. It’s hot — I carry a half-gallon water jug — and the rattlesnakes and scorpions are lively. I watch where my hands and feet are going, and I’m very, very careful.

I started regular one-night campouts on the Deschutes when COVID struck in 2020. I was living and working in Portland, and I quickly realized that the Deschutes was the perfect social distancing spot. I would drive to the river in the afternoon, fish until dark, camp and then fish a few hours in the morning.

That’s when I discovered how great — and how temporary — the dawn patrol fishing could be. When I moved to Sisters in 2021, I continued to do little camping trips on the Deschutes.

On this night, I spooked several mule deer as I walked to the campground. I found a small scorpion near my tent, and I brushed him away with stick. The night air felt balmy and humid after the inferno heat of the afternoon and evening. The air carried the scents of hot sagebrush, musty dust, and the wet-dirt

odor of a trout stream. After eating some pasta salad and an apple, I stripped down, walked to the edge of the river and took a quick skinny dip in the dark. The cold water was a welcome shock to my still-overheated body. No one else was in the campground, and the arid desert air dried me off in less than five minutes. It was still 79 degrees at 10:30 p.m.

I put on a pair of shorts and a fresh T-shirt and watched the evening sky. Countless stars dotted the sky, and a big glow on the rimrock told me that the full moon was about to appear. I got out my big camera and set up a shot of the full moon just starting to rise over the canyon. I used my fishing flashlight to illuminate the foreground of sagebrush and tall grass.

One of the great things about fly fishing is that it leads you down interesting side paths, and night photography (along with camping, birdwatching, and hiking) are part of my outdoor routine these days.

I got into the tent and watched the stars through the mesh window. I don’t remember falling asleep, but I was wide awake at 4 a.m. A

meteorite streaked across the sky while I was putting on my clothes.

Hello, fish

After breaking camp, I hiked down the dusty, rocky trail to the same spot I fished the night before. My flashlight once again led the way. A red glow filled the eastern sky when I arrived at the bankside eddy. Everything was in shades of gray in the pre-dawn light, and the air was still and thick with morning wetness. An owl hooted.

Five nice trout were sharking around the eddy eating the flat, sprawled corpses of hundreds of dead caddisflies mired in the surface film. My big redsides rainbow was in his spot, and I recognized the distinctive big nose poking out of the water as he sucked down bugs in sloshy rises.

I cast a size 16 Spent Partridge Caddis about six feet upcurrent of the fish, and he took the fly. My reel chattered as the fish zipped out of the backed and into a strong current seam. This was my biggest Deschutes trout of the year so far.

Seconds later, the fish bulled into a sunken tree and broke me off.

PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS

Ace Handyman Services launches in Sisters Country

By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

Cory and Melissa Boatwright were living in Portland and remodeling a house when they discovered a business opportunity.

The couple, who met in the U.S. Air Force and both worked in the tech field, were not happy with the remodeling process.

“We were so frustrated,” Cory told The Nugget. They thought, “We could start a construction company and do what we said we were going to do and have a competitive advantage.”

That notion was more than just venting. They actually did it. They found Ace Handyman Services, a franchise under the Ace home division, which was set up to deliver on expectations in quality, reliability, and communications. They started a franchise in Portland, and it took off, becoming the second-largest of 400 such franchises in the nation. Now they are bringing the business to Central Oregon.

“Even our internal procedures — it’s all about quality,” Boatwright said.

While Ace Handyman Services is headquartered in Bend — where they cut the ribbon on the business last week — its service area runs out to Black Butte Ranch.

Marcos Rincon handles the work. He has worked previously for a general contractor and in the field of apartment maintenance, which set him up well for the wide variety of work he encounters in handyman service.

A Bend resident, Rincon applied for a position with Ace Handyman Services in Portland. He hadn’t heard of the outfit previously, but he was impressed with their responsiveness.

“They responded very fast,” he said.

He immediately fell in love with the business model, and jumped on the job when it was offered.

“It all took a week to get the job and get there,” he said.

Now he’s coming back to his hometown, where his familiarity will serve the business well.

“They’ve got a guy on the ground here that knows the area,” he said.

Like so many, the Boatwrights have long wanted to live in Central Oregon, which is the impetus behind launching their business here.

Melissa Boatwright explained the way Ace Handyman Services’ systems work to provide a high level of service to the customer.

The company is set up to take on projects that take from two hours to two days to complete — the kind of projects a homeowner might be able to take on, but lack the time, skills, or inclination for doing. The kind of job that is too small for a general contractor to take on, but might be over the head of your handy friend.

The most popular services include:

• Door repair and installation.

• Floor installation andrepair.

• Gutter cleaning and maintenance.

• Interior/exterior painting.

• Fence installation and repair.

• Drywall repair and installation.

• Interior/exterior carpentry.

The office is fully staffed, so inquiries get a quick response, and they have a communication protocol that ensures that everyone is on the same page from start to finish. There are no surprises in cost or what services are going to be delivered. That’s an ethic for the Boatwrights and Rincon personally — but the franchise is set up to demand it.

“Delivering a five-star customer experience is something that Ace holds us to,” Melissa said. Their work carries a 12-month warranty.

To learn more or to get an estimate for a project, visit www.acehandymanservices. com/offices/bend.

Cory and Melissa Boatwright have launched Ace Handyman Services, with a service area including Sisters. Marcos Rincon is their lead handyman.

Hernandez

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

CLASSIFIED RATES

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

DEADLINE: FRIDAY AT 5 PM preceding Wednesday publication. PLACEMENT & PAYMENT: Office, 442 E. Main Ave. Phone, 541-549-9941 or place online at NuggetNews.com. Payment is due upon placement. Major credit cards accepted with a 3% processing fee. Billing available for continuously run classified ads, after prepayment of first four weeks.

CATEGORIES:

102 Commercial Rentals

Office space available, three days a week, Downtown Sisters, $300. LMT, esthetics, or other practitioner. 541-420-2400

473 W. Hood Ave., Suite 102 Office Suite, 512 Sf. High Traffic Exposure 503-730-0150

STORAGE WITH BENEFITS

• 8 x 20 dry box

Fenced yard, RV & trailers

• In-town, gated, 24-7 EWDevcoLLC@gmail.com

MINI STORAGE Sisters Rental 331 W. Barclay Drive 541-549-9631

Sizes 5x5 to 15x30 and outdoor RV parking. 7-day access. Computerized security gate. Moving boxes & supplies.

484 W. Washington Street Two suites available Suite D, 1181 sq. ft. Suite C/F, 805 sq. ft. 503-522-6306

103 Residential Rentals

The Grove at Sunset Meadows Apartments in Sisters, OR Lease today and claim your move-in-special!

1- and 2-bedroom homes, available for immediate move-in

210 North Woodson, Sisters 844-804-1684

CASCADE HOME & PROPERTY RENTALS

Monthly Rentals throughout Sisters Country. 541-549-0792

Property management for second homes. CascadeHomeRentals.com

PONDEROSA PROPERTIES

–Monthly Rentals Available–Call Debbie at 541-549-2002

Full details, 24 hrs./day, go to: PonderosaProperties.com

Printed list at 178 S. Elm, Sisters Ponderosa Properties LLC

104 Vacation Rentals

Downtown Vacation Rentals Popular 1 and 2 Bedroom SistersVacationRentals.net Great pricing. 503-730-0150

SUDOKU

202 Firewood

LODGEPOLE FIREWOOD

BEST DEAL IN YEARS

SistersForestProducts.com 541-410-4509

• SUMMER 2025 • NEW DISCOUNT PRICES

SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS

DAVE ELPI – FIREWOOD

• SINCE 1976 • Fuel Reduction Forestry

Doug Fir – Lodgepole –Hardwood – Juniper – Fir

DRIVE-IN WOOD SALES

– 18155 Hwy. 126 East –SistersForestProducts.com

Order Online! 541-410-4509 541-699-7740

205 Garage & Estate Sales

Moving sale, Fri. 8/22-Sat. 8/23 8a.m.-3p.m.,furniture, golf clubs, barn items, household items, electric guitar & amp, Christmas & Easter decor, and much more. 69255 Crooked Horseshoe Rd.

SALE

Furniture, Local Artist framed paintings, prints, locally made quilts, ottoman/single beds, and misc. items

Fri. Aug. 22 and Sat. Aug. 23: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Former location Sisters HomeLand Realty- 401 E Main

Three-Family Garage Sale SAT. ONLY, 8-23, ,8 a.m.-2 p.m. Lots of HHGs/TOOLS

Children's clothes/leaf blower, Paint gun, etc. CASH ONLY

348 S Cottonwood St (IN THE ALLEY) See you there!

Happy Trails Estate Sales and online auctions! Selling, Downsizing, or Deaths? Locally owned & operated by... Daiya 541-480-2806 Sharie 541-771-1150

CAR

Oversized, lights/power, $275/m • 541-419-2502 We Buy, Sell, Consign Quality Cars, Trucks, SUVs & RVs ~ Call Jeff at 541-815-7397 Sisters Car Connection da#3919 SistersCarConnection.com 401 Horses

New 2025 crop. Barn stored. 3-tie bales. $240-$340/ton. Hwy. 126 & Cline Falls. 541-280-1895

403 Pets

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies. Available Sept. 10. 541-413-0912

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

I’ve got your cats covered! Sisters-Tumalo-PetSitting.com Home of Brando's Natural Dog Biscuits • 541-306-7551 • Julie

SISTERS WHISKERS

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

500 Services

CUSTOM WINDOW COVERINGS

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

Junk removal, new home, garage & storage clean-out, construction, yard debris. You Call – We Haul! 541-719-8475

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

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

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 M & J CARPET CLEANING Area rugs, upholstery, tile & dryer-vent cleaning. Established & family-owned since 1986. 541-549-9090 504 Handyman 3 Sisters Handyman Services 20+ years experience No job too large or small. Snow removal services available. Licensed, Bonded, and

TimberStandImprovement.net

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

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

• Wildfire Fuels reduction

• Debris Chipping/Mastication

• Forest Health Thinning

• Land & Lot Clearing

• Tree Removal Will Moore, 541-409-5404

ISA Certified Arborist

We are the experts you’ve been looking for!

LCB# 100129 & Oregon Professional Logger 71395048

4 Brothers Tree Service

Sisters' Premier Tree Experts!

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

– FOREST MANAGEMENT –Fire Fuels Reduction - Brush Mowing, Mastication, Tree Thinning, Large & Small Scale Projects! Serving Black Butte Ranch, Camp Sherman & Sisters Area since 2003

Free Estimates **

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

Bonded and Insured CCB-215057

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

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

Construction & Renovation

Custom Residential Projects

All Phases • CCB #148365 541-420-8448

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

INSPIRED CUSTOM HOMES

www.teeharborconstruction.com 541-213-8736 • CCB#75388

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

SPURGE COCHRAN

BUILDER, INC.

General Contractor

Building Distinctive, Handcrafted Custom Homes, Additions, Remodels, Cabin Renovations Since ’74

A “Hands-On” Builder

Keeping Your Project on Time & On Budget • CCB #96016

To speak to Spurge personally, call 541-815-0523

602 Plumbing & Electric

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

SWEENEY

PLUMBING, INC.

“Quality and Reliability” Repairs • Remodeling

• New Construction

• Water Heaters 541-549-4349

Residential and Commercial Licensed • Bonded • Insured CCB #87587

GEORGE’S

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

Free On-site Visit & Estimate

Tewaltandsonsexcavation@gmail .com

541-549-1472 • CCB #76888

Drainfield

• Minor & Major Septic Repair

• All Septic Needs/Design & Install

General Excavation

• Site Preparation

• Rock & Stump Removal

• Pond & Driveway Construction Preparation

• Building Demolition Trucking

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

• Dump Trucks, Transfer Trucks, Belly

• The Whole 9 Yards or 24 Whatever You Want!

BANR Enterprises, LLC

Earthwork, Utilities, Grading, Hardscape, Rock Walls

Residential & Commercial

CCB #165122 • 541-549-6977 www.BANR.net

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

604 Heating & Cooling ACTION AIR

Heating & Cooling, LLC

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

Sisters, Oregon's Exclusive HVAC Service

Residential & Commercial Heating • Ductless Air Conditioning

Repair 541-588-5667

SistersHeatingAir.com 605 Painting ~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~ Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. Refurbishing Decks

CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620 www.frontier-painting.com

EMPIRE PAINTING

Interior and Exterior Painting and Staining CCB#180042

541-613-1530 • Geoff Houk Interior/Exterior Painting

Deck Refinishing Jacob deSmet 503-559-9327

peakperformancepainting1@ gmail.com • CCB#243491

606 Landscaping & Yard Maintenance

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

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

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

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

Alpine Landscape Maintenance An All-Electric Landscape Company.

Text/Call Paul 541.485.2837

alpine.landscapes@icloud.com

– All You Need Maintenance –Pine needle removal, hauling, mowing, moss removal, edging, raking, weeding, pruning, roofs, gutters, pressure washing.

Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169 Austin • 541-419-5122

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

jandelspcing15@gmail.com

All Landscaping Services

Mowing, Thatching, Hauling Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740

Eastern Cascade Solutions Landscaping & Construction www.easterncascadesolutions. com • 541-233-7195

LCB #9958 • CCB #222039

701 Domestic Services

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

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

802 Help Wanted

Hiring for full-time and part-time housekeeping. Please call with questions. 541-280-8769

Part Time Sales Associate We are looking for a friendly, reliable, team player who enjoys working with the public in a retail environment. You must be willing to work some weekend days. Applications available at Stitchin' Post, 311 W. Cascade Ave. in Sisters or by email diane.j@stitchinpost.com. Questions? Contact diane.j@stitchinpost.com

999 Public Notice

Premium Title Agency, Inc.

DBA PTS Foreclosure Services

7730 Market Center Ave Suite 100, El Paso, TX 79912

TS No.: 2025-00055-OR

ACCOUNT NO.: 255336 MAP NO.: 151308-CD-00305

TRUSTEE'S NOTICE OF SALE

T.S. Number: 2025-00055-OR Reference is made to that certain trust deed made by CRAIG BRIGHTWELL as grantor, to DESCHUTES COUNTY

TITLE COMPANY, INC as trustee, in favor of NATIONS DIRECT MORTGAGE, LLC AS LENDER MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., MERS is a separate corporation that is acting solely as a nominee for Lender and Lender`s successors and assigns, as beneficiary, dated 05/31/2022 recorded on 06/02/2022, in the Records of Deschutes County, Oregon, in book at page and/or as fee/file/instrument/microfilm/rec eption No. 2022-22296, covering the following described real property situated in the above-mentioned county and state:

ACCOUNT NO.: 255336 MAP NO.: 151308-CD-00305 LOT 67 OF FIELDSTONE CROSSING, P.U.D., PHASES III AND IV, AS RECORDED IN CABINET H OF PLATS, PAGE 157, RECORDS OF DESCHUTES COUNTY, OREGON.

Commonly Known As: 458 NW 30TH STREET, REDMOND, OR 97756 Both the beneficiary Nations Direct Mortgage, LLC and the trustee Premium Title Agency, Inc. DBA PTS Foreclosure Services have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said trust deed and a Notice of Default has been recorded pursuant to ORS 86.752(3). The default for which the foreclosure is made is the grantor’s failure to pay when due the following sums:

TOTAL REQUIRED TO REINSTATE AS OF 05/31/2025: $35,694.26

TOTAL REQUIRED TO PAYOFF AS OF 05/31/2025: $449,990.97

Because of interest, late charges, and other charges that may vary from day-to-day, the amount due on the day you pay may be greater. It will be necessary for you to contact the Trustee before the time you tender reinstatement or the payoff amount so that you may be advised of the exact amount you will be required to pay.

By reason of the default, the beneficiary has declared all sums owing on the obligation secured by said trust deed immediately due and payable, said default being the following: Installment of Principal and Interest plus impounds and/or advances which became due on

charges, installments balloon impounds late given Inc. Services on 10:00 Inside the Courthouse, Bend, by of sell highest the property had of the any his acquired trust foregoing and sale, by any has five set foreclosure the payment entire such would default other that by performance or to the cure costs incurred in trust and the ORS notice the the the any this other the secured words “beneficiary” respective sale the has any discovered this the money as any Trustee is the be the This

C L A S S I F I E D S

LETTERS

Continued from page 7

shall be the Purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Trustor, the Trustee, the Beneficiary, the Beneficiary’s Agent, or the Beneficiary’s Attorney.

If you have previously been discharged through bankruptcy, you may have been released of personal liability for this loan in which case this letter is intended to exercise the note holder’s rights against the real property only. As required by law, you are hereby notified that a negative credit report reflecting on your credit record may be submitted to a credit reporting agency if you fail to fulfill the terms of your credit obligation.

06/01/2024 plus late charges, and all subsequent installments of principal, interest, balloon payments, plus impounds and/or advances and late charges that become payable Therefore, notice hereby is given that Premium Title Agency, Inc. DBA PTS Foreclosure Services the undersigned trustee will on 10/09/2025 at the hour of 10:00 AM, Standard of Time, Inside the main Entrance of the Deschutes County Courthouse, 1100 NW Bond Street, Bend, OR 97703 as established by ORS187.110, in the County of Deschutes, State of Oregon, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by grantor of the said trust deed, together with any interest which the grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said trust deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the trustee.

Without limiting the Trustee’s disclaimer of representation or warranties, Oregon law requires the Trustee to state in this notice that some residential properties sold at a Trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential properties should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the Trustee’s sale.

NOTICE TO TENANTS: TENANTS OF THE SUBJECT REAL PROPERTY HAVE CERTAIN PROTECTIONS AFFORDED TO THEM UNDER ORS 86.782 AND POSSIBLY UNDER FEDERAL LAW. ATTACHED TO THIS NOTICE OF SALE, AND INCORPORATED HEREIN, IS A NOTICE TO TENANTS OF THE SUBJECT REAL PROPERTY AND WHICH SETS FORTH CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS THAT MUST BE COMPLIED WITH BY ANY TENANT IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE AFFORDED PROTECTION, AS REQUIRED UNDER ORS 86.771.

Premium Title Agency, Inc. DBA PTS Foreclosure Services

Dated: Premium Title Agency, Inc. DBA PTS Foreclosure Services 7730 Market Center Ave Suite 100, El Paso, TX 79912

Trustee Phone number: (866) 960-8299

Dated: STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF EL PASO

Notice is further given that any person named in ORS 86.778 has the right, at any time prior to five (5) days before the date last set for sale, to have this foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the trust deed reinstated by payment to the beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of the principal as would not then be due had no default occurred) and by curing any other default complained of herein that is capable of being cured by tendering the performance required under the obligation or trust deed, and in addition to paying the sums or tendering the performance necessary to cure the default, by paying all costs and expenses actually incurred in enforcing the obligation and trust deed, together with trustee’s and attorney fees not exceeding the amounts provided by ORS 86.778.In construing this notice the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes the plural, the word “grantor” includes any successor in interest to this grantor as well as any other person owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by the trust deed, and the words “trustee” and “beneficiary” include their respective successors in interest, if any.

Pursuant to Oregon Law, this sale will not be deemed final until the Trustee’s Deed Upon Sale has been issued by the Trustee. If any irregularities are discovered within 10 days of the date of this sale, the Trustee will rescind the sale, return the buyer’s money and take further action as necessary. If the sale is set aside for any reason, including if the Trustee is unable to convey title, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the monies paid to the Trustee. This

On before me, Personally appeared who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument.

WITNESS my hand and official seal.

Notary Name (Seal) FOR TRUSTEES SALE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL (866) 960-8299

SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORD RETENTION ANNOUNCEMENT

This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Sisters School District's policy of destroying special education records upon the expiration of six years from the date that services end. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state and federal laws unless the parent/guardian or adult student notifies the Sisters School District. Otherwise, the Sisters School District will be destroying any unclaimed Special Education records for students who exited Special Education services in the district in the year prior to and including 2018-2019. If you have records that would be available for claiming, please contact our Special Services Record Secretary at 541-549-4045 x5777 before September 15, 2025.

Premium Title Agency, Inc. DBA PTS Foreclosure Services

Dated: Premium Title Agency, Inc. DBA PTS Foreclosure Services 7730 Market Center Ave Suite 100, El Paso, TX 79912

Trustee Phone number: (866) 960-8299

Dated: STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF EL PASO

WITNESS my hand and official seal.

Notary Name (Seal) FOR TRUSTEES SALE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL (866) 960-8299

SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORD RETENTION ANNOUNCEMENT

ONLINE ADVERTISING

• 40,000+ page views monthly!

• 19,000+ unique visitors monthly!

• Online advertising with The Nugget starts at $25/mo.

• Digital + Print packages to ﬁt your marketing budget! Call to discuss options! 541-549-9941

write postcards, letters, collect signatures for petitions and ballot measures, endorse candidates, and pick up trash on Plainview Road, our adopted road. We will hold a rally on Labor Day (September 1) at 1 to 2 p.m. Join us. Together we can make a difference!

Mary Chaffiin

s s s

Deer/elk mitigation

To the Editor: Autumn is almost here; deer and elk will start migrating and collisions with fast-moving vehicles will increase.

I wonder if the City of Sisters could partner with Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon State Police to place temporary signs along Highway 20 between Camp Sherman and Bend. My understanding is that these stretches of highway are particularly dangerous because of the usual migration patterns. The signs could say “deer migration season — please drive carefully” or “deer and elk on the move — please slow down.” It would be wonderful to see fewer dead animals along the highways this fall — and it would be better for human safety, as well!

Ellen Taylor

s s s

SUDOKU Level: Diﬃcult Answer: Page 25

WELCOME TO SISTERS!

Be sure and pick up a complimentary copy of Sisters Oregon Guide located on stands throughout Sisters and Central Oregon or stop by The Nugget Newspaper at 442 E. Main Av e., Sisters

The guide chock full of Sisters Country information. The best hikes, where to eat, local hot spots, calendar of events, and much more!

Read online or download to your device

NUGGETEERS

DeliveringNews &Opinionfrom Sisters Since1978

Kimberly Young is The Nugget’s newest team member, full of passion and enthusiasm for the success of ever y business she work s with as The Nugget’s community marketing par tner.

NUGGETEER S

DeliveringNews&OpinionfromSistersSince1978 — KIMBERLY YOUNG —

Time at The Nugget : Rookie

Position: Community Marketing Partner

Favorite part of the job: Interacting with local business owners and managers, helping them market to Sisters, Central Oregon, and beyond!

Emails sent (in ﬁrst two months): 885

Most newspapers carried: 300

Working together, we can build prosperity and vibrancy in our community. Keep it local, and keep it strong.

Outside interests: Team roping, music, and baking (Herapplepieisnotto be missed!)

Your suppor t of The Nugget helps us suppor t local businesses. While our costs continue to rise, we have held steady on our adver tising rates because we know we can’t simply pass those cost burdens on to our adver tisers, who are facing rising costs across the board. Direct suppor t from readers in the form of Suppor ting Contributions is vital to continuing the work of the newspaper, which is, itself, a long-time par t of Sisters’ small business community eaders who value the paper and e direct suppor ting contributions help us cover the cost of repor ting the news and serving as an opinion m for the community

ou can make suppor ting contributions online at www.nuggetnews.com, send a check to P.O. Box 698, Sisters, OR, 97759, or stop by the of fice at 442 E. Main Ave.