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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (March 13, 2019)
4 Wednesday, March 11, 2019 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Battle of the Books descends on Sisters By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent Hundreds of young readers descended on Sisters Middle School for the annual Battle of the Books regional compe- tition on Saturday, March 10. According to co-director Deb Riehle, a total of 43 teams from all grade divisions attended this year9s event, which serves as a qualifier for the state competition, which is set for April 6. Teams came from throughout Central and Eastern Oregon, from as far away as Fossil and Burns. Preparation for Battle of the Books begins months ahead of the actual compe- tition as participants must become intimately familiar with 16 books. During com- petition teams score points based on correct answers from two categories: <In Which Book= and <Content.= Sisters was represented in the grade 3-5 category by a team of fifth-graders, which included Olivia Nieto, Grace Fendall, Haven Heuberger and Norah Thorsett. <The Hatchets= as they dubbed themselves, qualified for Saturday9s competition after surviving many rounds of battles with the 13 other teams made up of Sisters Elementary and Sisters Middle School students. Clare Nieto stepped in to coach them Saturday. The Sisters team in the grade 6-8 division comprised of Zoey Haney, Madison Haney, Kiara Martin, Layla Hicks, and Violette Kennedy made it to the semi-finals. They were coached by Angelique Haney. <We had great participa- tion in our own school sys- tem,= said Tiffany Tisdel, Riehle9s co-coordinator. <It9s heartening to have so many of our own students who choose to take part in this competi- tion. It9s amazing that the ele- mentary alone had 10 teams and that it is all done through teachers volunteering and kids giving up lunch time and recess time to do it all.= Tisdel continued, <I am so proud of our staff and stu- dents who put in a very long day Saturday. It takes a tre- mendous amount of effort on the part of our staff, par- ents and students to host this event. Everyone stepped up in a huge way.= Tisdel felt especially thankful for all of the students who gave up their Saturday. <This generation of kids that we often hear of as inactive, un-motivated, video-gaming individuals worked enthusi- astically together all day, tak- ing on any role asked that was needed,= she said. <It makes me proud to be an Outlaw and a part of this school community!= Riehle felt overwhelmed by the generosity of the com- munity as well. <Angeline9s Bakery, Melvin9s Newport Avenue Market, and Sisters Coffee provided refreshments for our many volunteers, and Kerry Prosser organized it all for us as well as serving as a shepherd for any way- ward volunteers who needed direction.= <Paige Bentley of Sisters Public Library provided gift bags and goodies for the win- ners and Becky Aylor was a miracle worker in operating the concessions, providing signage and even stepping in as a moderator when we need one,= she said. Miller Elementary of Bend won the grade 3-5 title, Seven Peaks, also of Bend, took top honors for grade 6-8 and Mountain View captured first among high school teams. High Desert Chorale sings into spring By Jim Anderson Correspondent Despite our recent heavy snowfall, Connie Gunterman, director of the Sisters High Desert Chorale, has her eye and ear turned toward spring. <Well,= she announced, <the sun is out and the birds are singing, so it9s time for our Chorale to start practicing for our spring concerts&.= The Sisters High Desert Chorale Spring Performance is tentatively planned for the weekend after Mother9s Day (May 17 evening and May 19 afternoon concerts). The Chorale will be again joined by the popular third- and fourth-grade choir from Sisters Elementary School under the direction of Sara Miller. They are working toward a March Festival in Bend with an animal theme so they will already be prepared for the concerts in May. Sue Edgerton, who has been singing with the cho- rale since its inception, said, <I love to sing in the High Desert Chorale in Sisters, under the direction of Connie Gunterman. She helps the singers to be our very best; we have fun, and love mak- ing music together. I am lucky enough to have sung in a com- munity choir in Sisters since We’ve got you covered from head to toe! COLUMBIA PHOTO BY SUE ANDERSON Connie Gunterman and the Sisters Christmas performance. we moved here in 2002, under three different directors. I hope to see more new singers this spring... Come! You will be welcomed and will also enjoy singing with us!= Practices started last week at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration (68825 Brooks Camp Rd., Sisters) in the community room. Practices are held 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. each Monday until con- cert week in May. Gayla Nelson, another soprano, said, <The hills come alive with the sound of music. Singing with the Sisters Community Chorale, under the direction of Connie Gunterman, with accompanist Donna Moyer, is pure joy! <Connie is gifted with amazing musical talent and knowledge. She challenges chorale members to achieve levels of music many of us High Desert Chorale at the 2018 never thought personally pos- sible. We laugh, we have fun and, in the process, we learn and are continuously inspired to work hard to be the best we can be. Each season, when the last strains of the final con- certs fade away, for singers, it9s on a par with leaving sum- mer camp.= Gunterman notes that, <The choir will sing favor- ites from old and new shows, movies and musicals. No audition is required and all singers are welcomed. This is a fun group that truly enjoys the chance to not only sing, but be a part of the commu- nity and give back with the gift of music. We9re recruit- ing, so if you want to sing with a wonderful group 4 please join us!= For more information, con- tact Gunterman at 541-588- 0362 or any Chorale member. Remember to clear the snow off your car. It can be dangerous to you and others! SS • AUTO • HOME • HEALTH • LIFE • BUSINE 290 W. Cascade Ave. 541-549-8424 www.mackenziecreekmercantile.com FARM • RENTAL 541-549-3172 1-800-752-8540 704 W. Hood Ave., Sisters Winter is Pretty…In Pictures! But no so much when you’re trying to live in it! $500 MOVE-IN SPECIAL! Nothing’s worse than being stuck in a house alone when the weather is bad, and you can’t get out to go and do. Visit our community and enjoy good meals and some fun with our good neighbors who could become great friends. Call today and we’ll make the arrangements! Call 541-318-0450 kimberley.blackwell@holidaytouch.com 1460 NE 27th Street, Bend | stonelodgeretirement.com Free! Learn to Knit Monday, March 25 Learn to Crochet Friday, March 29 Registration required 541-549-6061 • 311 W. Cascade Ave • Sisters, OR