Wednesday, October 21, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Rotary fundraiser benefits Seed to Table The Rotary Club of Sisters, a small but friendly service club, has been quietly chang- ing lives and doing good in Sisters and other places for over 25 years. An array of annual projects, including the Sisters Halloween Parade, a first-grade literacy event, and sponsorship of students in Nepal keep members busy and engaged in their commu- nity and internationally. Recently the club hosted a very successful fundraiser, “Rendezvous in the Pines,” at Aspen Lakes. The main ben- eficiary was Seed to Table, a garden-based wellness and education program that works in the Sisters schools and community. The goal of the evening: raise enough money to purchase a walk-behind tractor for the program. The Oktoberfest-themed event with wine- and beer- tasting was a rousing success. Over 200 attendees enjoyed socializing, eating a fine buf- fet dinner, bidding on silent- auction items and a dessert auction. A slew of raffle tick- ets were also sold for cases of premium wine and local craft beer. Ribera Vinyards and Three Creeks Brewing Co. supplied the tastings. The efforts of Rotarians, attendees, and an anonymous donor meant that Seed to Table founder Audrey Tehan was presented with the keys to her new tractor by Rotarian Rand Reitmann at the end of the evening. “We are so grateful for what the Rotary Club has done. It was an event that exemplifies your mission to serve others. Our tractor will truly help the community be infused with thousands of pounds of produce,” said Tehan. Rendezvous in the Pines co-chairman, Hal Darcey, con- curred that the evening was a successful event. “Thank you to all who donated gifts and services for this. And a spe- cial thank-you to those who attended and supported Rotary and Seed to Table.” Rotary club welcome busi- ness and community lead- ers and those with a desire to serve their communities. The clubs pinpoint local and international needs and work to achieve sustainable results. Health, clean water, literacy, peace studies and economic development are main focuses. Another focus is on having fun and building friendships in the process. One of Rotary’s greatest contributions to mankind is its part in the battle to eradicate polio worldwide. Since the mid 1980s, Rotary’s effort has been known as “Polio Plus.” The organization partners with humanitarian and health orga- nizations, taking polio vaccine to children in every corner of the world. From 120 endemic countries in 1985, only two, Pakistan and Afghanistan, remain so. Sisters Rotarians extend an invitation to visit the club for lunch on Tuesdays at noon, upstairs at Aspen Lakes Lodge. For more information, call president Francie Kibby at 541-588-6234. 11 Sisters is rodeo-of-the-year For the third time Sisters Rodeo Association has been recognized as the Columbia River Circuit Rodeo of the Year. The circuit includes PRCA rodeos in Oregon, California, Washington and Idaho. Gary Linton, board mem- ber of the Columbia River Circuit said, “The hospitality of your committee for other committees and for rodeo contestants is unprecedented.” He added that with the quality of personnel and the rodeo’s stock contractor, there was just no rodeo that compared in Sisters Rodeo’s 75th anniver- sary year. “You all do such a great job. “JJ Harrison is a force in Sisters, too,” Linton said. He then added with a smile, “That barrelman has received so many accolades since Sisters initiated his career in the PRCA that he needs a bigger hat size.” Voting for the award is done by the Columbia River Circuit Board of Directors and by the boards of the professional cowboy and cowgirl associa- tions. The rodeo has a reputa- tion for its fast-paced action and non-stop entertainment. “This is such an honor from a circuit that includes the Pendleton Round-Up and St. Paul Rodeo, just to men- tion a few bigger names,” said Sisters Rodeo President G.J. (Glenn) Miller. “We are very pleased. This is a great reward for all the work our member- ship does.” Sisters Rodeo was also honored in its 75th anniver- sary year by the Deschutes County Commissioners with a declaration of Sisters Rodeo Week, and by a tribute from the United States Senate pre- sented by Oregon Senator Ron Wyden. The 2016 Sisters Rodeo will begin June 8 with Xtreme Bulls followed by four rodeo performances June 10-12. Ticket sales begin in December, at which time you can call 541-549-0121 or 1-800-827-7522 to order. For more information visit www.sistersrodeo.com. Fire restrictions dialed back Fire restrictions will be reduced on private and non- federal public forest and rangelands protected by Oregon Department of For- estry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District. The regulated clo- sure which has been in effect since June 19 was terminated October 17. Fire season will remain in effect for the Central Oregon District (COD) until significant widespread rain falls throughout the district. The 2015 fire season has been long and difficult for firefighters and landown- ers across Central Oregon. Landowners and the public have been vigilant following restrictions and using caution to prevent fires. COD District Forester George Ponte is especially thankful: “This made an incredible difference for fire- fighters throughout the sum- mer. Focusing resources on lightning fires helps keep them small and provides bet- ter safety for firefighters and the public.” ODF’s COD remains in fire season; open burning, includ- ing debris burns, burn barrels, and logging slash is allowed by permit only. Campfires and warming fires are allowed; campfire safety guidelines are online at www.oregon.gov/ ODF/Documents/Fire/Camp- fireChecklistEnglish.pdf. Exploding targets, tracer ammunition, and sky lan- terns are all prohibited during fire season. Non-industrial chainsaw use, such as cut- ting firewood for home use, is allowed. Restrictions for industrial chainsaw use still apply. Contact your local ODF office if you have ques- tions regarding restrictions. Reducing fire restrictions is not an indication that fire danger is absent. Over the last few days several human- caused fires have burned within the district, including a fire in the John Day Unit that burned nearly 150 acres before firefighters contained it. Fire managers urge the public to continue to practice fire safety. Contact thev local U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management office for current restrictions.