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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 2015)
14 Wednesday, January 21, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Black Butte Sisters Bakery celebrates 20 years in business world of small business: She ranch to host By Jim Cornelius was simply utterly determined to make a go of it. more fat-bike Sisters For two decades now, “There were days when I Bakery on Cascade said, ‘I’m going to make this Avenue has been a destination work, no matter what,’” she events stop for locals and visitors said. News Editor Black Butte Ranch is continuing the Cow Patty Crit race series with a race on February 7, and one on March 14. Blazin Saddles and Black Butte Ranch bring riders fur- ther installments of the Cow Patty Crit, They provide four fat bikes for each race, and riders provide the power and gusto. The course will be designed to inspire anyone to give it a whirl (so it won’t be too tough). Expect stairs, ramps, logs, tight corners, and cyclocross-style barriers. The course will be set up in a field near Big Meadow Golf Course. Prizes will be up for grabs for each category from Blazin Saddles Bike Shop and Black Butte Ranch. Online registra- tion, $15, closes Thursday, February 5, at 11:59 p.m. Register at https://ultra signup.com; search “Cow Patty Crit.” Or register for $25 on the day of the race from 10 to 11 a.m. Races begin promptly at noon. A warming fire will be provided for participants and spectators. Beverages (including beer and hot choc- olate) will also be for sale at the site. Competitors should wear appropriate cloth- ing, including closed-toe shoes and a helmet (both required). alike. Whether it’s an over- the-pass traveler looking for a pastry and a cup of coffee for the road or a local in need of a cake for a birthday, Melissa Ward and her staff at Sisters Bakery have been meeting their needs for 20 years. Owning and operating an iconic Sisters business wasn’t part of a plan for Ward — she sort of backed into it, pushed by life’s circumstances. “My life was falling apart,” she recalled. “I wanted a place where my kids could come after school.” Sisters Bakery was up for sale. “I had some money from some property on the coast. So I put that down on it. Just jumped in with both feet,” she recalled. “People thought I was crazy to do it. I was an English major. Classic story.” There was not a whole lot in the English major’s back- ground that would point to success as a baker and the proprietor of a small busi- ness. She had a little trans- ferable experience running the kitchen at Applejack’s, a small grocery and deli then operating in Sisters. But Ward had the intangi- ble quality that separates the successful from the would- have, could-haves in the Ward says that learning to manage a staff was the toughest challenge — but it also provided the greatest rewards. Her hiring policy was unconventional. Her primary interview point was to say: “Intrigue me.” That meant she ended up working with a lot of interesting folks — most of whom had little or no experience. “Almost everyone who has come here has learned the trade on the job,” she said. She consistently employs about 17 people on a wide variety of schedules. Many teens in Sisters have learned to work and be accountable in Ward’s employ. “It’s a great way for kids to get their feet on the ground,” she said. The work isn’t as all-con- suming as it used to be, thanks to manager Jeremy Bates. “I’ve really got it a lot easier than I used to because I have management now,” Ward said. Someday, Ward plans to move on from the work that has defined her life for the past two decades, and maybe dust off those English major chops. “I’m eventually going to retire and do a lot of writing,” she said. “See my family Year-round 541-419-7477 FIREWOOD SALES HAIR DESIGNS SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS Sales • Service • Installation Individualized Service 541-410-4509 Life is like a garage door; it has its ups and downs. 581 N. Larch St., Sisters SistersForestProducts.com SISTERS GARAGE DOORS Dale Lester CCB#151832 541-815-1523 — Kindling — — — Have you been in an Auto Accident? After an accident, it is important to be examined as soon as possible. Fri. & Sat. at 6 p.m. Pre-set menu online Your car is being examined by competent profes- sionals, and your body needs the same attention. Getting examined in the fi rst 4 weeks is crucial to healing quickly and correctly. With chiropractic care, your doctor may uncover hidden damage, help avoid pain now and in the future, and gently correct your injuries to heal properly. Call for rewervationw Dr. Robert Jeffrey, DC • 541-318-1632 Family-wtyle Dinnerw 541-516-3030 www.lakecreeklodge.com Camp Sherman photo by Jim Cornelius Melissa Ward has been providing baked goods to locals and visitors for two decades. more. Be a real granny.” someone with them who is Ward has worked very gluten-free,” Ward said. “We hard to make Sisters Bakery a try to have something for signature Sisters business — them.” and it keeps being discovered. Ward says her greatest “People discover us all the rewards have been her inter- time and they’re amazed at actions with her staff and with the variety of stuff we have in customers — and being a here,” she said. contributing part of the com- From top-quality pastries munity of Sisters. She feels to lovely breads, to cakes very protective of that com- and donuts — there’s plenty munity (see related stories, to tempt at Sisters Bakery. page 1 and 31). And Ward and her staff will At the end of the day, accommodate special requests Melissa Ward has enjoyed and special needs, like the something basic but sig- increasingly prevalent need nificant, that most everyone for gluten-free products. aspires to and not everyone is “You have people who able to achieve: “The idea of are coming in for some sin going to work every day and and pleasure and they have having it be enjoyable.” Chiropractic Physician 1011 Desperado Trail, Ste. 203/204 • Sisters Save time, money & gas when you shop Sisters! Sisters Saver Look for it the last Wednesday of every month in The Nugget. Also fi nd printable coupons online at NuggetNews.com To advertise in Sisters Saver , call Lisa at 541-549-9941.
