Wednesday, June 10, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Veterans get a look at ranch retreat
By diane goble
Correspondent
A group of over 100 vet-
erans and their families came
out to Central Oregon Vet-
erans Ranch (COVR) on
Memorial Day to have a look
around the newly acquired
19-acre ranch property with a
four-bedroom home and barn.
COVR started as the vision
of Alison Perry, licensed pro-
fessional counselor, with
inspiration from her MEDE-
VAC helicopter pilot brother
Todd, to help restore purpose
and spirit to veterans of all
ages. She thanked everybody
for being part of this amazing
project to honor our veterans
from all wars, then turned
the mic over to chaplain and
Marine veteran Ernie Tafalla
from Partners in Care (PIC)
Bend. He said it gave him
chills as he talked about how
this vision became reality
and added, “PIC wants to do
everything they can to serve
those who served our country.”
Board members, including
President Howard Gorman,
Treasurer Joe Jezukewicz,
and Director Wayne Heuple,
were enthusiastic about the
project as they talked with
visitors about the need for
fundraising and connections
within the community. “We’re
always going to need commu-
nity funding for veteran pro-
grams,” said Gorman. “The
government can’t do the job
alone. It’s up to us at the local
level to help.”
Local veterans, COCC
students, began volunteering
with the ranch after choosing
the organization for a class
project. Chris Dahlen (Army)
and Sean Kennedy (Marines),
who were there helping peo-
ple sign in, organized a chili
cook-off at Bend High School
for their small group commu-
nication class, all proceeds
going to COVR.
With the help of private
investors Tom and Melanie
Kemper to secure the land,
the nonprofit Central Oregon
Veterans Ranch is moving
forward with raising funds
for the renovation and devel-
opment of the 19-acre par-
cel between Redmond and
Bend, with a breathtaking
view of the Cascades. They
were recently awarded $8,000
for remodel supplies from a
national hardware corporation
and are seeking a donor to
match funds to complete the
renovation for an adult foster
home that will specialize in
hospice care on the property.
Veteran volunteers and
contractors have been on
hand to help with remodel-
ing the existing home, and
management of the grounds.
The volunteer base is growing
and veterans will be develop-
ing and maintaining an active
farm by learning sustainable
agriculture and growing food.
Surplus food will be donated
to food banks. The group will
be recruiting veteran teach-
ers and instructors from the
community with a focus on
approaches such as permacul-
ture and holistic management.
The effort has been sup-
ported by Washington Fed-
eral in Sisters and is garnering
interest from statewide agri-
cultural lending groups with
grant reserves for nonprofits.
They work closely with OSU
Extension Agent Scott Dug-
gan and Vietnam veteran and
ag teacher John Jeans.
With about 20,000 veter-
ans scattered over Deschutes,
Crook, and Jefferson counties,
there is a large population to
be served. Perry is excited to
see opportunities for veter-
ans to learn, serve, and heal,
already happening at the prop-
erty, which is quickly becom-
ing a hub for veterans. She
was excited to share, “We had
a veteran guest from Medford
who wants to start a similar
model in their community.”
For information, to donate,
or for a tour, call 541-706-
9062, visit www.central
oregonveteransranch.org, or
find them on Facebook.
Year-round
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9
Songwriter releases CD
Megan Rose announces
her first CD release with the
arrival of a six-song, extended-
play album titled “Now I Can
See.”
Megan will perform songs
from the CD and more at The
Barn on Saturday, June 13, at
7 p.m. Hosted by Sisters arts
patron Cris Converse, The
Barn is the perfect place to
listen to the music of Megan
Rose.
In her own musical and
lyrical style, Megan Rose
will bring to life “Now I
Can See” with the help of
other musicians and friends.
Locally produced by Brent
Alan Studios, this compilation
reflects Megan’s early years
in the Sisters Folk Festival
Americana Project and shares
a rich view into this musician’s
future. The hauntingly beauti-
ful playlist brings forward a
feeling of peace, yet pushes
listeners to ask questions
while hearing everything from
interpreted William Stafford
poetry to protest songs to
music of love and recovery.
The public is invited to
this special event at The Barn.
Admission is free, with CDs
available for purchase.
The Barn is located at
68467 Three Creek Rd., three-
quarters of a mile south of
Sisters on Elm Street.
photo by cheryl Mcintosh
Megan rose will perform her original songs in concert at the Barn.
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