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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (March 3, 2021)
10 Wednesday, March 3, 2021 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Commentary... Happiness and well-being By Mitchell Luftig Columnist Since 2005, residents of 153 nations have been asked each year by the Gallup World Poll to imagine their current position on a ladder with steps numbered from zero to 10, where the top rep- resents the best possible life and the bottom the worst pos- sible life for themselves. These <life evaluations= provide researchers with a measure of a nation9s well-being. The World Happiness Report averaged life evalua- tions from 2017 to 2019. When nations were ranked according to their average life evaluation scores, the United States placed 18th; 153 coun- tries reported less well-being than the U.S. The World Happiness Report identified six fac- tors that helped to explain 75 percent of the differences in well-being scores across nations: Four social-environmental factors 4 having someone to count on, institutional trust, a sense of freedom to make key life decisions, and generosity 4 <together account for as much as income and healthy life expectancy in explaining the gap between the 10 hap- piest and the 10 least-happy countries in the world.= Around the world When other forms of social support are unavail- able, well-being can still be achieved through social con- nections 4 having at least one friend or relative avail- able for intimate discussions, and participating in social meetings at least once a week. Positive emotions con- tribute to well-being. When people feel the freedom to make key life decisions and are generous to others they are more likely to experience laughter, happiness, and joy. Since 2010, there has been a surge in worry and sadness around the world. Strong social support, freedom to make decisions, and faith in government can reduce negative emotions, including worry, sadness, and anger. Positive emotions have a greater influence on ratings of well-being than the absence of negative emotions. One of the most exciting discoveries was that social supports in the form of inter- personal trust (having some- one to count on) and institu- tional trust (faith in govern- ment) can provide protection against declines in well-being caused by: " Discrimination " Ill health " Unemployment " Low income " Loss of family support (through separation, divorce, or spousal death) " Lack of perceived night- time safety. Social supports can act <&as protective buffers against adversity and as sub- stitutes for income as means of achieving better lives.= Another striking find- ing was that social sup- ports reduce inequality of well-being. Individuals at the greatest risk of experiencing adver- sity, but fortunate enough to live in communities with strong social supports, expe- rience the most significant improvement in well-being scores. Strong social supports contribute to a fairer distri- bution of well-being across communities. How this impacts Sisters Country We have seen a large influx of families to our area, some fleeing large cities. Families left behind friends and relatives who helped them when they were in trouble. Lacking <someone to count on,= newcomers may be forced into a greater reli- ance upon governmental pro- grams and local nonprofits. We must be ready to respond to the growing need, giving Sisters Country the opportunity to strengthen institutional trust as a means to promote well-being. Newcomers often lack social connections that can contribute to well-being. It takes time to get to know neighbors and establish friendships. Pandemic restrictions on social gather- ings create additional barri- ers to meeting others in the community. We can all extend the hand of friendship by intro- ducing new residents to their neighbors, inviting them to attend (Zoom) meetings, and informing them of volunteer opportunities where they can connect with others in the community. We can also provide social supports to those neighbors most at risk of adversity. Not only will this help to insulate them against a decline in their well-being, but it will also redistribute well-being more fairly across our community. The State of Oregon has been prioritizing federal and state dollars to support Oregonians most impacted economically by the pan- demic. Governor Kate Brown has placed additional restric- tions on our lives to slow the spread of COVID-19. Some chafe under the additional restrictions on their freedom imposed by the gov- ernor. After all, the freedom to live our lives as we see fit, along with generosity, results in such positive emotions as laughter, happiness, and joy. Others view it as a fair price for staying healthy and keep- ing others safe. It9s important that we acknowledge both points of view. A N N O U N C E M E N T S Road Construction Ahead COFRW Luncheon Veterans Meeting Th e City of Sisters will soon begin work on the S. Cedar St. to S. Locust St. Alley Waterline Replacement Project. Th is project will impact the alleys both north and south of E. Jeff erson Avenue, connecting S. Cedar with S. Locust streets. Th e City’s contractor, Robinson & Owen Heavy Construction, anticipates a start date of April 1, possibly sooner, and the work will take 35-45 days. Work will take place during business hours and pedestrian and vehicle access through the alleys will be unavailable on weekdays for the duration of the project. If you have children and live on either side of the alleys, please direct them to stay away from the construction zone and equipment. Please park on the frontage or side streets during this project. Contact Paul Bertagna if you have questions at pbertagna@ci.sisters.or.us or 541-323-5212. Th e Central Oregon Federated Republican Women will hold a luncheon in Sisters on Th ursday, March 4 from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Th e cost will be $18 per person, payable with cash or check, or $19 if paying with a credit card. Th e bar will be open for purchase of wine, soda or mixed drink. Due to COVID restrictions, seating will be limited. Meeting will start promptly at 11 a.m. with our guest speaker, Don Anderson, a former contract negotiator for the US Air Force and sales manager with several pharmaceutical companies. He authored a series of articles entitled “Th e Dad Rants,” which communicates to children about the importance of knowing not what to think, but how to think. Please email for reservations to jamanna@jamanna.com or call 541-705-1623. Sisters VFW Post 8138 and American Legion Post 86 are meeting at the quonset hut (Th e Hangar) on W. McKinney Butte Rd. at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 3. All veterans in the area are encouraged to join! For more information call Lance Trowbridge at 541-903-1123. Monthly Conversation on Unity Th e Council on Aging of Central Oregon is serving seniors (60+) free Grab-N-Go lunches on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Th ursdays each week. Th e lunches are distributed on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis sis drive- through style from 12 to 12:30 p.m. at the Sisters Community unity Church, 1300 W. Mckenzie e Hwy. Seniors may drive through the parking lot and nd d pick up a meal each day of service. Come on by, no need eed to make a reservation. For more information call 541-678-5483. Th e Baha’i Faith is a worldwide religion that believes in the Unity of Humanity. You are invited to join them in a monthly conversation which employs specifi c writings and prayers for unity, with input from participants in building a diverse and just community. Th e fi rst conversation will be held on Tuesday, March 9 at 7 p.m. Please call or text 541-647-9826 for your copy of the Baha’i perspective about the elimination of racism and for the Zoom meeting link for the fi rst conversation. Call Shauna at 541-647-9826 for info. Sisters Library Children’s Activities Deschutes Public Library is off ering virtual events and take- home activities for children. On Tuesdays at 10 a.m. join community librarians and other preschoolers for songs, rhymes, stories and fun. Online story time is live at 10 a.m. on Th ursdays and at 10:30 a.m. children ages 3 to 5 can join in music and movement to develop literacy skills. Parents, don’t miss the opportunity to pick up a story time activity kit for your preschooler at Sisters Library on Th ursdays starting at noon. Available while supplies last. Go to www.deschuteslibrary. org/kids/programs or call 541-312-1032 for more info. Free Weekly Grab-N-Go Lunches For Seniors Band of Brothers Band of Brothers, after a long delay due to COVID, have decided to resume weekly lunch meetings at Takodas. Meetings will resume on Wednesday, March 3 in the regular room (which should hold 20 people). Th e doors open at 11 a.m. and the meeting will start at 11:30. You have to wear a mask if you’re moving about the building but can remove it if you’re seated. All veterans of any service are invited to attend! Call 541-549-6469 for more info. PET OF THE WEEK Humane Society of Central Oregon 541-382-3537 Weekly Food Pantry Wellhouse Church has a weekly food pantry on Th ursdays. Food is currently being distributed drive-through style from 12:30 until all food is distributed at the Wellhouse Market building, 222 N. Trinity Way. People in need of food may drive through the parking lot and pick up a bag of food for their household. Other Sisters-area churches are joining with Wellhouse Church to contribute both fi nancially and with volunteers to help sustain the program. For more information, call 541-549-4184. Sponsor an Impoverished Child from Uganda Hope Africa International, based in Sisters, has many children awaiting sponsorship! For more info go to hopeafricakids. org or call 541-719-8727. Introducing the world’s sweetest Tabasco! This boy may have a spicy name, but he is sweet as sugar! This hot little number is a 12-year-young orange tabby on the hunt for his new forever home, where he can spend the rest of his days in happy retirement. Tabasco is an extremely charming cat, who loves attention, treats and petting sessions. Come down to HSCO, open his cattery door and receive a warm welcome from Tabasco! Sponsored by & S U P P LY 541-549-4151 Please call the church before attending to verify current status of services as restrictions are adjusted. SISTERS-AREA CHURCHES Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (ELCA) 386 N. Fir Street • 541-549-5831 10 a.m. Sunday Worship www.shepherdofthehillslutheranchurch.com Sisters Community Church (Nondenominational) 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy. • 541-549-1201 10 a.m. Sunday Worship www.sisterschurch.com • info@sisterschurch.com St. Edward the Martyr Roman Catholic Church 123 Trinity Way • 541-549-9391 5:30 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass 9 a.m. Sunday Mass • 8 a.m. Monday-Friday Mass Calvary Church (NW Baptist Convention) 484 W. Washington St., Ste. C & D • 541-588-6288 10 a.m. Sunday Worship • www.ccsisters.org Th e Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 452 Trinity Way • Branch President, 541-420-5670; 10 a.m. Sunday Sacrament Meeting Baha’i Faith Currently Zoom meetings: devotions, course trainings, informational fi resides. Local contact Shauna Rocha 541-647-9826 • www.bahai.org or www.bahai.us Chapel in the Pines Camp Sherman • 541-549-9971 10 a.m. Sunday Worship Sisters Church of the Nazarene 67130 Harrington Loop Rd. • 541-389-8960 www.sistersnaz.org • info@sistersnaz.org 10:00 a.m. Sunday Worship Wellhouse Church 442 Trinity Way • 541-549-4184 https://wellhousechurch.churchcenter.com 10 a.m. Sunday Worship (Indoor & Outdoor Venues) Vast Church (Nondenominational) 541-719-0587 • 5 and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Worship at 442 Trinity Way (Wellhouse building). See www.vastchurch.com for details. Seventh-Day Adventist Church 386 N. Fir St. • 541-595-6770, 541-306-8303 11 a.m. Saturday Worship Th e Episcopal Church of the Transfi guration 68825 Brooks Camp Rd. • 541-549-7087 8:30 a.m. Ecumenical Sunday Worship (Sunday school, childcare) 10:15 a.m. Episcopal Sunday Worship (Sunday school, childcare)