Wednesday, November 11, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 5 Blazin Saddles seeks bike donations Each year, Blazin Saddles asks the community to donate bikes in decent-or- better condition to gift to community members during the Christmas season. This year, the staff is extending that program to assist people in the McKenzie Bridge-Blue River area hard hit by fire. The staff has connections there and hope to give a small boost to the devastated community by providing bikes. Bikes in <decent or better= condition can be dropped off at the store at 413 W. Hood Ave., Sisters. PHOTO PROVIDED Commentary... A year to remember at Seed to Table By Audrey Tehan Columnist The sun still warmed my back as I wiggled the last of the sweet onions from the soil. As I pulled up the last of last fall9s vision, a calm came over me. I realized that our team no longer needed to worry if the cabbages will size up, how social distanc- ing at the Farmers Market would go, how we would host the next field trip of students, if there would be enough tomatoes to go around, how we could get food to those vulnerable to COVID-19, etc& This week the size of the onion is simply the size of the onion. There is no more room for growth as tempera- tures in the teens sweep over the farm, signaling that it is time to rest and plan for the next season. Just like that, the circle of the farm is com- pleted again 4 although, for us all, this year was certainly not <just like that.= Interactions developed new meanings throughout the year as <normal= was catapulted from sight. For our team, the farm pick-ups, field trips and farmers mar- ket became our social high- lights of the year! And I am not joking here. On the farm, the distribution of vegetables remained one of the few nor- mals: feeding our commu- nity, guiding you through the pickup line, conjuring up our favorite recipes, and lighting up at the shared enthusiasm for kohlrabi (I know there are some new lovers!). When we were able to open up to field trips, the sound of students woven throughout the field was a welcome reprieve; despite face masks and using kale as social distancing wands, all seemed back to normal, blurring out all that was happening outside of the fence line. Produce and our outdoor education founda- tion allowed us a chance to connect and, for that, we will always be grateful for the power of food. It has always been a means for connec- tion, but this year marked an entirely new level in my book. On behalf of the staff and the board, I want to say thank you for trusting our team with feeding and educating your families while keeping our family safe during these trying times. We want to say thank you for sharing with us a year to remember and for fostering a strong agricul- ture community that will be here for you. Thank you for believing in our organization and joining in a shared vision of our community where all people, regardless of race, gender, geography or socio- economic status, have access to fresh produce that is nour- ishing, locally grown, and culturally appropriate. Thank you for lending us energy with your smiles and enthusiasm allowing us to meet the myriad challenges posed by field trips, farmers market, pick-ups, and food bank drop-offs. Thank you for taking the leap and learn- ing to cook that salad turnip and diving into new recipes that fuel your health and support local food systems! Thank you for fueling us to be the best farmers and edu- cators we can be! PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS Casey Meudt works on a bike at Blazin Saddles. This year, the holiday bike donation drive is partly focused on outreach to the communities of McKenzie Bridge and Blue River, devastated by September’s firestorm. ENTER TO WIN OUR Turkey Giveaway! Four Turkeys Awarded Friday, November 20! Enter at our off ice, 257 S. Pine St., #101 You do not have to be a Farmers Insurance customer. Jason Rybka | 541-588-6245 www.farmersagent.com/jrybka CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT CLASS MULTI-STATE Class size limited. Safety measures in place. 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