Burton to leave Sisters COCC

After eight years with Central Oregon Community College (COCC), Lucy Burton has decided to leave her post at the Sisters office.

During her term as director of local community education, Burton served thousands of credit students and others in the Sisters area.

Burton was born in Texas, received her higher education degrees at Washington State University (WSU)(B.S., Home Economics Education; M.S., Adult Education). She presently lives in Redmond.

Along her career path, she worked for Continental Airlines for six years. During her work at WSU, she developed a love of gardening, organic farming and food preser-vation. She traveled the West Coast from San Diego to Vancouver, B.C., setting up classes and meetings for people interested in Yoga, vegetarian meals, herbs and food 1demonstrations.

"I like to be with people," she says.

"We have so many active, thoughtful and helpful people," Burton noted. "The Sisters area is a rich area of talented individuals."

Many locals have served on Burton's advisory committees, suggesting classes to be offered and individuals to teach them.

Burton reminisced about some highlights from her stay in Sisters, especially the work of Jim Anderson.

"His birding classes were wonderful field experiences," she said.

Anderson and his family have been also been helpful with the Sisters Community Choir and their local programs offered through COCC.

"Michael Moore's snowshoe classes in winter have been a huge success," Burton said. "Having a world-class tour leader teach in Sisters added immensely to our success."

She also remembers John Judy as "a wonderful local resource" on the Metolius River. Judy also teaches cross country skiing in the winter program.

Maret Pajutee from the Sisters Ranger District has been a regular contributor with local environmental programs in the Metolius Basin.

Burton also acknowledged the help provided by Marcia Acosta with the COCC Advisory Committee.

Gary Miller has been outstanding with his handling of computer training for the COCC programs, Burton said..

Two outstanding additions to the local program under Burton's directorship have been the Writer's Conference (held twice) and the building of a Macintosh computer lab. The conference will be continued this fall with a weekend workshop offered by author Molly Gloss and a weekly offering by Christine Barner on publishing nonfiction.

Burton also directed successful "Lunch and Learn" offerings, educational gatherings from noon to 1 p.m. (or later).

Presently, the Sisters COCC program offers between 35-40 Community Education classes per quarter. Enrollments vary between 350-500 students each quarter.

Celeste Duville will be Burton's replacement and "she is very excited to come to Sisters and work in the program," according to Burton.