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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 22, 2017)
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon The evolution of a ceremony By Jim Cornelius Editor The community tree-light- ing that traditionally kicks off the Christmas season in Sisters has grown over the past 14 years, but the theme remains simple: gather locals and visitors on Thanksgiving weekend, sing a few carols and light up a community tree. The event is sponsored by the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce. The first community tree-lighting was held at the brand-new Barclay Park on Cascade Avenue in 2003, the year the pocket-park was dedicated. “We purchased a tree, I think it was only about 20 feet tall,” said Chamber Events Coordinator Jeri Buckmann. “We had some carolers from a local church group, the mayor spoke and we had a blessing for the tree. Three Sisters Lions Club sold hot drinks and popcorn.” In subsequent years, D e s c h u t e s L a n d Tr u s t donated a 40-foot tree each year from its Metolius Preserve, which was erected in the park by the City of Sisters Public Works Department. When Fir Street Park was complete in 2014, the Chamber moved the event there. The new park has a permanent stage, a fire pit built by Ponderosa Forge and Ironworks of Sisters, and a tall live tree to serve as the community bea- con. The park is also more expansive, allowing more people to comfortably attend. Over the years, a vari- ety of singing groups have sung carols at the event. Buckmann told The Nugget that there isn’t a formal pro- cess for determining who sings. This year, a bit of dis- cord and disharmony devel- oped over that issue. Lola Knox, who directs a Sisters bell choir and the Sisters Children’s Choir expressed disappointment that sing- ing groups from Bend have been tapped to perform at the Sisters ceremony for the past two years. “Every year I have approached the Sisters Chamber of Commerce to have one of my groups per- form, I have been greeted with negativity and dis- respect,” Knox told The Nugget. “The bell choir did get to perform once many years ago and the crowd loved us, but we have been turned down ever since. Same with the Children’s Choir. My choir, myself and my choir parents are most disappointed to have been turned down again this year.” entertainment & EVENTS Buckmann told The Nugget that she didn’t actu- ally turn anybody down; that this year’s group had already been selected when she spoke with Knox during the set- up for the Harvest Faire in October. Buckmann told The Nugget that she has tried to book the Sisters High School Choir, but it is hard to get them together on that holiday weekend. “Since we were unable to get the High School Choir, it was a struggle to find any- one,” she said. “The last few years we have come in con- tact with groups in Central Oregon that include Sisters, Redmond, and Bend to come and participate.” Knox and Irene Liden, former director of the High Desert Chorale in Sisters, would like to see the local choirs given the opportu- nity to share in their home- town holiday kick-off. They agreed that perhaps it would avoid misunderstandings and make finding singers easier if there was some sort of pro- cess to apply for the slot, like there is for entries in local parades. And that desire to par- ticipate reflects the impor- tance of a gathering that has become dear to many folks across Sisters Country. Starts Friday Fri., Nov. 24 – Thurs., Nov. 30 Civil War Party! Fri-Sun 1:15, 4:00, 6:45 Mon-Thurs 4:00, 6:45 Your team scores: FREE Jello Shots! Wonder (PG) 7’ Jumbotron • 4pm kickoff Saturday • Nov. 2 5 Fri-Sun 1:45, 4:30, 7:00 Mon-Thurs 4:30, 7:00 THE HWY. 97 BAND Murder on the Orient Express FREE CLASSIC ROCK! 9pm to 1am with 175 N. Larch St. 1 t . 541-549-6114 5 4 1 5 49 9 6 114 4 hardtailsoregon.com 142 E. Main Ave. Three Sisters Lions Club Holiday Faire 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 7th Hardtails Bar & Grill annual event and fundraiser Karaoke Night! 9 p.m. with handmade items from Every Wednesday, no cover! local vendors. Check out the For info: 541-549-6114 or go new location next to The Hair online to hardtailsoregon.com. Cache! Email: ckunc@aol.com. Sisters Saloon Texas Hold Cork Cellars Live Music! ’Em Tournament 7 p.m. 7 to 9 p.m. No cover! For Every Wednesday! For additional information call additional information call 541-549-2675 or go online to 541-549-7427 or go online to corkcellarswinebistro.com. sisterssaloon.net. WED...NOV. 22 NOV. 23 Nov 25 / Sa / 8 PM The Weather Machine The 5-piece found its roots in the Pacifi c Northwest’s unique folk aesthetic, but has developed a hard-hitting, theatrical rock performance. (PG-13) Fri-Sun 2:15, 4:45, 7:15 Mon-Thurs 4:45, 7:15 Justice League (PG-13) Fri-Sun 1:30, 4:15, 7:00 Mon-Thurs 4:15, 7:00 Nov 30 / Th / 8 PM Zepparella Led Zeppelin tribute band! Dec 9 / Sa / 8 PM Movie times and titles are bsite subject to change. Visit we n. atio rm or call for latest info WWW.SISTERS MOVIEHOUSE.COM 541-549-8800 Hillstomp! Portland junkbox blues duo brings memorable perform- ances that tap into a magic that cannot be rehearsed. PUB OPENS 1 HR PRIOR TO SHOWS BelfryEvents.com 541-815-9122 SUN...NOV. 26 142 E. Main Ave. Three Happy Thanksgiving! Sisters Lions Club Holiday FRI..NOV. 24 Fir Street Park Annual Christmas Tree Lighting 5:30 p.m. Join the community for the singing of Christmas carols and see the tree light up! For info call 541-549-0251 or go to sisterscountry.com. 142 E. Main Ave. Three Sisters Lions Club Holiday Faire 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Handmade items from local vendors, 7th annual event! Info, email ckunc@aol.com. Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke Night! 9 p.m. Every Friday, no cover! For additional information call 541-549-6114 or go online to hardtailsoregon.com. Hood Avenue Art Artists’ Reception for the “Small Wonders” Show plus Live Music with Jim Cornelius 4 to 7 p.m. Enjoy refreshments and music! For more info call 541-719-1800 or go to hoodavenueart.com. Downtown Sisters 4th Friday Art Stroll 4 to 7 p.m. Galleries and shops feature live entertainment and refreshments! For info go to sistersartsassociation.org. SAT...NOV. 25 Coco (PG) 11 Hood Avenue Sisters Christmas Parade 2 p.m. Following the annual parade, kids are invited to meet with Santa at the Chamber building at Main & Spruce! For more information 541-549-0251 or go to sisterscountry.com. Paulina Springs Books 25th Birthday Bash & Live Music with Jim Cornelius & Friends 12 to 2 p.m. Come in and enjoy refreshments, discounts, raffl e prizes and more! For info: 541-549-0866 or go to paulinasprings.com. Hardtails Bar & Grill Civil War Party & Live Music with The HWY. 97 Band 3:30 p.m. party start time! (4 p.m. game kickoff). Watch on the new 7x7-ft. Jumbotron! Wear team colors; every time your team scores, it’s FREE Jello shots for you! And from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. it’s classic rock with The HWY. 97 Band. All FREE! hardtailsoregon.com. The Belfry Live Music with The Weather Machine 8 p.m. $10 online at bendticket.com. For additional information call 541-815-9122 or go to belfryevents.com. Tollgate Recreation Center “Our Kind of Christmas” Artists Vendor Show 10 a.m. Door prizes, drawings, hot cider & munchies! Featuring local artists’ work. For more information call 541-480-6361. Faire 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Handmade items from local vendors are featured in this 7th annual fundraising event! For additional information email ckunc@aol.com. MON...NOV. 27 142 E. Main Ave. Three Sisters Lions Club Holiday Faire 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Handmade items from local vendors! Info: ckunc@aol.com. TUES...NOV. 28 The Belfry “Frontiers in Science” with Conservation Photographer Don Miller 7 p.m. (6 p.m. social hour). Sponsored by the Sisters Science Club and Friends of the Sisters Library. Miller presents “Pachyderm Intrigue and Elephant Lessons.” $5 at the door (teachers, students and science club donors are free). sistersscienceclub.org. 142 E. Main Ave. Three Sisters Lions Club Holiday Faire 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Handmade items from local vendors! Info: ckunc@aol.com. Sisters Saloon Trivia Night 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sign-up is at 6:15 p.m. Free, every Tuesday! For additional information call 541-549-7427 or go to sisterssaloon.net. WED...NOV. 29 Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke Night! 9 p.m. Every Wednesday, no cover! For additional information call 541-549-6114 or go online to hardtailsoregon.com. Sisters Saloon Texas Hold ’Em Tournament 7 p.m. Every Wednesday! For additional information call 541-549-7427 or go to sisterssaloon.net. 142 E. Main Ave. Three Sisters Lions Club Holiday Faire 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Handmade items from local vendors! For more information email ckunc@aol.com. THURS...NOV. 30 The Belfry Live Music with Zepparella 8 to 11 p.m. $20 at the door. For additional information call 541-815-9122 or go to belfryevents.com. Preston Thompson Guitars Shop Concert with Chris Luquette, Nick Dumas, & Connor Hutteball 6 p.m. $10 at the door. For additional information call 541-588-6211 or go to pktguitars.com. Sisters Saloon Karaoke Night! 9 p.m. Every Thursday, no cover! For additional information call 541-549-7427 or go to sisterssaloon.net. 142 E. Main Ave. Three Sisters Lions Club Holiday Listings free to advertisers. Faire 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Submit by 5 p.m. Fridays to Handmade items from local teresa@nuggetnews.com vendors! Info: ckunc@aol.com.
