Picnic offers Sisters a slice of Americana

Last updated 7/5/2011 at Noon

Charlie Kanzig

Abigail Hubbard, 12, of Sisters, finishes the 5k Recycle Run. She was one of 85 runners and walkers to take part in the fundraiser.

"It's just so down-home Americana," said Terri Daniel as she strolled with her dog through Creekside City Park on Monday afternoon.

And indeed it was. The park was the scene of the second annual Sisters Fourth of July Picnic, produced by Sisters Habitat for Humanity.

"I just walked down from my house because I had a hankering for a hot dog," Daniel said.

Hot dogs were just part of the traditional fare, which also included pie, lemonade, barbecued corn and cotton candy.

The emphasis everywhere was on tradition, as singers offered up classics such as "My Wild Irish Rose," and children played games that date back to the 19th century.

Annalisa Duerden organized the games - and promoted them like a carnival barker, with her voice ringing across the park.

"We tried to think of classics, but we've got contemporary games like 'Minute to Win It,'" she said.

Kids played ball-toss games, dug for treasure and tossed hoops at prize targets. For the powerful expectorators, there was a watermelon-seed-spitting contest.

Cindy Rainey, one of the organizers, said that the kids came out primed to play.

"They're buying $20 in tickets at a shot," she said.

The Sisters Country offered up its best for the event - sunshine and balmy but not-too-hot temperatures.

"We couldn't ask for better weather," said Rainey. "This is perfect."

Families strolled the park as the sound of children playing mingled with the rushing of Whychus Creek. And as afternoon rolled along, families dispersed to their home barbecues and perhaps some fireworks to cap their quintessential American holiday.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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Recycle Run nets over $1,000 for Habitat for Humanity

The second annual Recycle Run exceeded all expectations this year as 85 runners and walkers took part in the fundraiser for Sisters Habitat for Humanity, netting the organization over $1,000 toward its home-building efforts.

Race director Jena Rickards, a senior-to-be at Belmont College in Tennessee, was pleased with the turnout for the race.

"We hoped that at best we could double last year's attendance, and we ended up well beyond that," she said.

Many locals took part in the race, along with quite a few out-of-town visitors, including some from as far away as Canada. One runner from Portland reported that his parents have been active with Habitat for Humanity for many years, so he felt a strong family pull to take part in the race.

"If my mother found out that I was in Sisters and skipped out on a Habitat fundraiser, I am not sure I would ever get a hot meal at her place again," he said.

A return runner from last year told Habitat for Humanity representative Cindy Rainey that last year's race, which was her first ever, inspired her to keep training as a change of lifestyle and that she completed the 5k course in about half the time it took last year.

"That story alone makes this race worthwhile," said Rainey.

Rainey was still counting money after the race and predicted that the total would amount to more than $1,200, all of which will go to Habitat for Humanity projects.

"We couldn't be more pleased with the level of participation this year," she said.

Sharlene Weed, executive director for Sisters Habitat for Humanity, broke into a huge grin when she heard the good news.

"It's almost overwhelming when you see so many people showing their support," she said.

The Sisters chapter of Habitat for Humanity is in its 20th year and has helped 43 families become homeowners. "We have a lot of new projects coming up and all donations help, so this is a real blessing today," said Rainey.

Race results were not immediately available following some glitches with the courses, according to Rickards.

"We think most of the 5k runners went the right way, but the 8k runners may have gotten off track out there on the trail," she said. "I am grateful that everyone was so flexible about it and I am already making plans for improvements for next

year."