16 Wednesday, November 4, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Mentorship Sisters man has passion for or land stewardship program hosts virtual auction, gala By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon will host a hilariously beneficial eve- ning of comedy, auctions, and awards on November 12. The 23rd annual Comedy For Kids’ Sake event will unfold in local homes in a virtual gala. The organization invites folks in Sisters to set up a party pod and bid on favorite auction items, view the video presentation, and contribute to the cause. The event will kick off on November 5 as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon opens their online bidding platform to the public. The comedy special will be avail- able for viewing any time after 4 p.m. on November 12. A variety of party pod options are available to sup- port the night. Contact Jenni Garner, events@bbbsco.org, for more details. Party Pod supplies are limited. BBBSCO is a mentorship program under the J Bar J umbrella. Children benefit from a caring adult mentor who can inspire their poten- tial. The organization lost its main fundraiser this year due to COVID-19. The High Desert Classic equestrian event is not only a major fun- draiser, it has become a signa- ture Central Oregon event. The auction and event will provide funds to continue operation of the program. For more info visit www.bbbsco. org/events/comedy-kids-sake. Vernon Stubbs has served his country in combat as an active-duty Marine and with the Oregon National Guard. But his greatest passion for service involves stewardship of the Sisters County land he considers special — and vulnerable. “I’ve been proud to serve, but all along, since I was a kid, my passion has been stewarding the land,” he told The Nugget. He tackles that mission through his business, Alpine Land Management. “My specialty is fuel reduction,” he said. His approach is to promote biodiversity through thinning, especially of juniper, con- trolled “jackpot” burning of concentrated fuels, reforest- ing, transplanting of native botanicals and grasses and composting. He turns cut juni- per into fence posts and fire- wood lengths. “On my own land, I’m cutting some large junipers encroaching on the pondero- sas and cutting slabs and making tables out of them,” he said. “This time of year is great for transplanting native botan- icals and overseeding native bunchgrasses,” he noted. Always an outdoorsman, Stubbs grew up in Texas. “When I was a kid, I was like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, out canoeing and bow- fishing,” he said. “I love God’s creation. You learn something new every day out in nature.” Stubbs urges mindfulness and care, and a light foot- print on the land. He fervently believes that with proper attention, we can reverse the mismanagement of the land that has made it vulnerable to catastrophic wildfire. Stubbs recognizes that Sisters Country has been “dis- covered” and that growth will have an impact. He urges all who live here to recognize how special the landscape is and to be mindful of how PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS Vernon non Stubbs has a passion for land stewardship, which he b brings to bear through Alpine Land Management. much capacity it can absorb and yet remain healthy. “This area is a unique place on earth,” he said. “It’s a huge responsibility for us to steward the land and be very careful with it.” For more information on Alpine Land Management, call 541-977-6711. & S ONS E K A L B CLEANING SERVICES Windows • Screens • Gu ers Residential, Rentals & Commercial Cleaning Free Estimates! Call or text Jeff Blake at 541-420-3020 •I﹐L&B This year let us join you in your home for our safely distanced Comedy For Kids’ Sake: A hilariously benefi cial evening of comedy by our Littles, a huge online auction, and awards. We will all be together in one community, on one night, for one cause! Be a DEFENDER OF POTENTIAL & Help provide COVID Relief for Littles and their families. BID, WATCH, and DONATE through our website: www.bbbsco.org — This ad sponsored by The Nugget Newspaper. —