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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (April 18, 2018)
16 Wednesday, April 18, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon The people behind The Nugget... Sue Stafford has always had a deep and abiding love for Sisters — and for the writ- ten word. She combines them as a freelance reporter for The Nugget. “I’ve been a writer since I was able to hold a pencil,” she said. “It’s the way I pro- cess stuff.” Stafford got her start as a Nugget freelancer in 2013. She had been involved in establishing senior pro- graming at Sisters Park & Recreation District and approached The Nugget about writing an occasional column geared toward senior issues and interests. “Of a certain age” continues to be featured in the paper — but Stafford’s work expanded greatly from that start. Soon, she was writing fea- ture stories, and then she took on the City Hall beat for the paper. “The City beat is always a tough one in a small town,” said Editor Jim Cornelius. “It requires a particular blend of temperament and reporting skills. You have to be able to set aside your own policy preferences and biases — even on issues that affect you as a citizen. And you have to be able to translate sometimes dry and complicated policy issues into something that is both interesting to read and readily understood. It’s a real challenge, and Sue delivers on it week in and week out. I rely on her heavily.” For her part, Stafford said the “hot seat” of the City beat “hasn’t been a problem.” The feedback she gets on the street is gratifying. “I get a lot of apprecia- tion from people,” she said. “They tell me that I explain things in a way that’s easily understandable.” She acknowledges that sometimes it’s difficult hav- ing to confine herself to observation and reporting, when the issues at hand affect her as a citizen living within the city limits of town. “I don’t get to be Joe Citizen,” she said. “I don’t get to have an opinion. That’s hard, because I’m a very opinionated person! I work really, really hard to be as objective and factual (as pos- sible) and to tell all sides if there are sides to a story. I don’t have an agenda when I write a story. To me, it’s professionalism.” While she likes being The Nugget’s City reporter, it’s not her favorite part of the job. “The articles I really like to do are the history articles, the features (on a) person,” she said. “I like people. I love to hear their stories… It’s the human connection, that’s Sue Stafford what it is. That’s why I love the feature stories.” She has a similar love of place. Sue has been com- ing to Sisters since she was a young girl, camping along the Metolius River in Camp Sherman. She once rode in the Sisters Rodeo Parade with her best friend. The place is graven on her heart and soul. “When I leave, which I seldom do anymore, when I come over (the pass) and see Black Butte, I say, ‘Ah, I’m home,’” she said. “This is my heart space and my energy center.” Her love for Sisters has led her to preside over the year- old Three Sisters Historical Society, which wrapped up a season of Fireside Stories with regional historians this week. She’s also a gardener, though she admits that she doesn’t go at it as hard as she PHOTO PROVIDED used to on the wet side. Sue Stafford is a freelance City reporter, feature writer, and columnist for “I used to love to garden,” The Nugget Newspaper. she said. “My physical limi- tations are making it less fun the paper,” she said. “It’s just has a real sense of respon- than it used to be. And the fun to see what I’ve put down sibility for what she does deer are always a challenge.” on Saturday and Sunday in and she cares deeply about Though she’s been in the print.” her town,” he said. “She’s saddle with The Nugget for Cornelius said that he rock-solid reliable and really five years and turns in mul- appreciates Stafford’s work sees below the surface of tiple stories each week, the ethic and productivity and her things. I have to say that our print run always gives her a insights into the issues that Thursday-morning conversa- charge. matter in Sisters. tions that start the work week “I get an adrenaline rush “Sue works hard and takes are one of my favorite things every week before I pick up her coverage seriously. She about the job.” Now you can help The Nugget continue its journalistic mission The Nugget Readers like you can join our loyal advertisers in bringing The Nugget to Sisters — for free — every week! Thank you for supporting us! Make a fi nancial contribution to keep professional community journalism thriving in Sisters... ܂ $50/year Supporting Subscription ܂ $100/year Sustaining Subscription ܂ $________ Other Contribution Three easy ways to support community journalism: • Complete the form below and mail today • Call 541-549-9941 and pay by credit card • Go to NuggetNews.com to contribute online Name __________________________________________________________________ Address _________________ City ______________ State ____ Zip _________ Visit NuggetNews.com, stop by the offi ce at 442 E. Main Ave. (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri), call us at 541-549-9941, or drop a check in the mail. Phone ______________ Email ___________________________________________ ܂ Check enclosed ܂ Please charge my credit card Visa/MasterCard __________________________ Exp. __ /__ Security Code ___ Mail to: The Nugget, PO Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759 PHOTO BY GARY MILLER
