News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 17 of 17
Many within Sisters have heard that a beloved local dining establishment is in their final days of serving guests with great food, coffee and microbrews. Hop & Brew will be open through January 15, and then must close their doors due to a building ownership change with new plans for the site. Hop & Brew evolved out of the original business opened in 2013 by Mandy and Phil Haugen, called Hop N Bean. Silent investors Ryan and Teresa Karjala eventually took it over and changed... Full story
Our world today feels like it is spiraling out of control. Locally, nationally, and worldwide, there are so many things that seem to be elevating to a degree never experienced before. Stress levels are intensifying, and because of that, we are seeing disrespectful and potentially harmful human behavior being triggered. Last Friday, while waiting at a Safeway deli counter, I witnessed such behavior and it made me understand my own increasing anxiety at a deeper level. This encounter also made me realize that we all need to be... Full story
What began as a spark ignited within a 12-year-old boy, grew to become a dynamic and fulfilling career that spanned 40 years. Wayne Schmotzer’s calling into veterinary medicine was clear and undeniable. From the young boy who watched as surgical intervention saved the life of a beloved farm animal, to the man who dedicated his life to that very calling, the journey has been made up of meaningful influences and relationships, amazing opportunities, and remarkable a... Full story
In January of 2001, a new shingle was hung outside a small office space located behind the dental practice of Dr. Mark Francis. Zadow Physical Therapy was officially open for business and Greg Zadow was looking forward to bringing his specialized manual therapy skills to the community of Sisters. What started as a one-man operation with limited hours grew to include another part-time therapist, billing specialist and eventually a front office assistant. In those early days,... Full story
Twenty years. It seems like a long time and yet in many ways has passed by like the blink of an eye. October marked the 20th anniversary of my family’s move to Sisters; a move that was difficult for me because I was leaving a place that felt like my forever home. I couldn’t imagine any place away from the ocean making me feel as complete, and yet, the life that was awaiting me within the Sisters community was to hold more than I could ever imagine possible. As we all began our new lives here, we got involved and connected. It... Full story
Unfathomable. That is the word that continues to describe all that has and is happening within our beloved state. As I continue to read updates and pray for all who have been affected by the fires, I think back to my own special places. Many of us have created important memories and rituals in the areas affected; areas that also contained unique and beloved businesses and communities that became a part of us. So many lives have been affected and there has never been a more necessary time to respond. How many of us here on... Full story
In the early morning hours of May 23, Danielle Rudinsky and Shelby Lowman set out to climb the southwest aspect of Mt. Hood. Rudinsky and Lowman started up a route unpopulated by other climbers and what awaited them at the top was every climber’s worst fear. Mt. Hood had long been on Rudinsky and Lowman’s list of desired accomplishments. Growing up in Sisters provided Rudinsky a unique opportunity to experience the natural outdoor world through a Sisters High School pro... Full story
Earlier this year, 11-year-old Hailey Weston applied and was chosen to participate in Mustang Madness 2020. This event is organized by Mustang Yearlings/Washington Youth (MYWY), a nonprofit whose principal belief is that “Kids make better mustangs, and mustangs make better kids.” MYWY runs this well-respected program in partnership with the Oregon BLM Wild Horse Corrals in Burns. Each approved participant is paired with a yearling mustang to work with for a minimum of 90 days.... Full story
One night after a fall, my 94-year-old mother-in-law was catapulted into dementia at a speed that was unfathomable. Four falls in six days, three ambulance transports to the hospital ER and an eventual admittance after sustaining a fracture were just the beginning. Each step became more unbelievable and our family was thrust into an unbalanced world that left us all feeling helpless and overwhelmed. This sudden onset of debilitating dementia changed our family plan, our commitment to care for our elderly family member within... Full story
For Eli and Kelly Pyke, living a life of adventure and exploration has provided a sense of freedom and rejuvenation not easily found in traditional day-to-day life. In 2015, the Pykes were at a critical point in life and marriage; they had become first-time parents, were struggling to find balance in their relationship together and realized they needed a big change. An idea was formed to purchase a used motor home and travel the country with their young son. The trip was a... Full story
Life in Central Oregon provides amazing opportunities to observe wildlife on a daily basis. There are many parts of the United States where one would never have the opportunity to see something as magnificent as an eagle, hawk, owl or other member of the raptor family. In Sisters, we share life with these creatures and moments of observation can occur while strolling through a neighborhood, hiking on trails, driving from one location to another or just being home. Living in cl... Full story
It was primarily a solitary journey across England, on foot, spanning 20 days and 308 miles. Distant views were often shrouded in clouds, creating a sense of tunnel vision and isolation. Terrain included moors and bogs, seemingly never-ending expanses of treeless hills, intense altitude climbs and pastures filled with livestock. Each day would conclude at a B&B in a quaint village where there might or might not be resources from a store or restaurant. For Diana Durbin Field,... Full story
On December 11, 2018, in little more than a split second, life changed dramatically for Larry and Terry Hardin. The Hardins were just beginning their newly planned “snowbird” status down south when Larry suffered a tragic fall from a camp chair. What should have been the beginning of a winter spent in the warmth and sun of Southern California instantly became something completely different. The next five months would be spent between three different hospitals spanning two stat... Full story
The heart and soul of a community is beautifully revealed through the people who commit their time to become volunteers. Sisters Habitat for Humanity offers many opportunities to become a part of something that truly changes lives. Every person can make a difference and utilize their unique skills and experience. No matter the age, a place and purpose awaits each new volunteer; a place, purpose and an untold number of new friends. When moving to a new town, some find it hard... Full story
Graduation brings a transition that often leads to life in a new location. Stepping into an independent life with new dreams and goals, away from home, can evoke nervousness as well as enthusiasm. For small-town high school seniors, it is common to hear excitement voiced about finally being able to go somewhere “bigger.” Many feel that leaving is part of a permanent long-term plan; yet for others, the exodus was merely a stepping-stone to the return. Lena (Womack) Vogelgesang spent a good part of her young life growing up in... Full story
Life can be redirected in a split second. For Catherine Cowles, a horseback riding injury sent her on a road trip to find a quiet, peaceful place to recover. When the journey of exploration led to Sisters, she knew she had found the perfect spot. What she didn’t know at the time was that it would also birth her life as a published romance novelist. Being a lifelong voracious reader, it almost seemed natural that this new chapter in a new place would lead to a new career t... Full story
Spotting smoke will trigger a gut-level reaction in many Central Oregonians. Whether from a wildfire, prescribed burn or property fire, smoke means fire and fire means potential danger. For one mother and daughter heading home to Sisters from Prineville, the sight of smoke compelled an immediate response. Tuesday, April 9, was a day four people will never forget. Life changed dramatically for a couple who would end up losing their home to a fast-burning house fire. That same d... Full story
