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Wednesday, December 13, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
PERMITS: Public
input sought on
USFS renewals
Continued from page 23
or multiple permits may be
obtained by submitting ques-
tions or comments to this
project. Submit written com-
ments by Monday, January
8, 2018, so they can be con-
sidered in the analysis. Any
comments received will be
placed in the project file and
shall become a matter of the
public record. Submit com-
ments to S. Mike Bishop,
Administrative & Special
Uses Support, P.O. Box 249,
Sisters, OR 97759; telephone
541-549-7743; FAX 541-
549-7746. Email comments
should be sent to: comments-
pacificnorthwest-deschutes-
sisters@fs.fed.us. Those
submitting hand-delivered
comments may do so during
the regular office hours of 8
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday
through Friday except legal
holidays.
Those submitting elec-
tronic copies must do so only
to the email address listed
above, must put the proj-
ect name in the subject line,
and must either submit com-
ments as part of the email
message or as an attachment
only in one of the follow-
ing three formats: Microsoft
Word, rich text format (rtf)
or Adobe Portable Document
Format (pdf).
Commentary...
When roots run deep: Trauma in a small town
By Audry Van Houweling, PMHNP
Columnist
I have an unusually strong
affinity for small towns. Some
people find more energy and
excitement in the big city, but
to me there is an undeniable
allure and richness within
the layers, roots, stories, and
secrets of generations past
that define small-town Amer-
ica. I am intrigued by both
the triumphs and woes that
give a place identity and how
this influences the collective
consciousness of its residents.
This collective conscious-
ness or energy is much more
palpable in a small town. Rip-
ples of change are felt more
acutely — more intimately. It
is as if you would compare a
pebble being tossed in a fish
bowl with a pebble being
tossed in a lake.
These ripples carry energy
— both positive and negative.
Ripples carrying the antic-
ipation of the local parade.
The relief from the local fes-
tival boosting business. The
celebration of the Friday-
night football victory. The
pride of this year’s graduat-
ing class. The excitement of
a new store or coffee shop
coming to town.
Ripples also carrying the
unease when business gets
slow and jobs dissipate. The
grief that permeates when
somebody passes on. The
helplessness of addiction that
can swallow communities
alive. The desperation felt
at Sandy Hook, Sutherland
Springs, Roseburg, Blacks-
burg, and too many others.
Even events that may
seem small and common-
place — marriage, divorce,
a child’s struggle, illness,
financial strife, and more can
have significant impacts in a
small town as one individual
can have so many intercon-
nections with others.
The communities of Sis-
ters and Silverton where I
currently practice have been
fortunate to enjoy recent eco-
nomic prosperity, growth,
and are both known as desir-
able destinations. Working
in mental health you learn to
appreciate stability, but also
to look beyond the charm.
You learn about grief, bully-
ing, scandal, loss, and family
dysfunction with roots dating
all the way back to the Ore-
gon Trail.
Trauma in a small town
can be both collective, in that
it is felt by many whether or
not they directly experienced
the event, and/or intergen-
erational in that the pain
can be transferred from one
generation to the next.
The intricacies and
dynamics of all these inter-
connections can also create
a level of stigma such that
asking for help can seem too
risky or may make one too
vulnerable. There may be fear
of gossip, a breach of confi-
dentiality, or simply being
able to find someone to talk
to without bias.
The beauty of small towns,
however, is that in this web
of interconnections, deeply
rooted generations, and tight-
knit community is also power.
Small acts of kindness are not
so small. Creating space for
vulnerability and authentic-
ity in our schools, places of
worship, and social gather-
ings can have far-reaching
impacts. Seeking common
ground rather than reinforc-
ing divisions can create a
net of safety and acceptance.
Valuing community instead
of self-reliance. Creating
dialogue about the hard stuff
— depression, anxiety, grief,
addiction, trauma, suicide
and shame can take someone
from a place of isolation to
empowerment.
Albeit perhaps for selfish
reasons, my role as a men-
tal-health provider seems to
have more significance in a
small town when an individ-
ual’s progress seems to have
more immediate impacts
on their family, workplace,
school, and ultimately, the
community.
While the place in which
we live has an impact on our
identity and self-concept, it is
also our actions and beliefs
that help define and transform
a place. In the meantime, I
continue to enjoy the great
privilege of being part of the
small-town experience…and
dropping my pebble in the
fishbowl.
HOWELLS
REALTY GROUP
Phil Arends
541-420-9997
phil@blackbutte.com
PEAK PROPERTIES PARTNERSHIP Dick Howells
541-408-6818
Black Butte Ranch, Sisters Area,
rahowells@blackbutte.com
and Central Oregon
Let our 40+ years of combined experience work for you.
Whether you are buying or selling, call us for a no-obligation consultation.
www.realestateinsisters.com | 220 S. Ash St., Sisters
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