Sisters celebrate their sisterhood

"Girls just want to have fun" was the theme of this year's Sisters in Sisters celebration. Over 200 women from around the country gathered together last weekend to celebrate the bond between sisters.

"That's actually been the theme every year," said Leart Jett, who helped coordinate this year's event. "We intentionally tied Sisters in Sisters to the first weekend of hunting season. While the guys are out hunting, the girls get together and have fun."

The fifth annual Sisters in Sisters drew women from as far away as New York and Texas, but most of the attendees hailed from Central Oregon.

Suzanne Clark from Tangent didn't bring her biological sister to the event, but she did bring her best friend.

"I twisted her arm and said 'please!'" said Clark of her pal, Sue Trautwein of Corvallis. "She's like a sister -- we've been friends for 22 years."

"She didn't have to twist too hard to get me to come," admitted Trautwein.

This was the first time either woman had attended the celebration.

Sonja Severson-Brannigan traveled from Los Banos, California, to meet up with four of her nine sisters for the weekend.

"We first heard about Sisters in Sisters through a magazine," said Severson-Brannigan. "Just a few of us came last year. It was such a hit; five of us made it this year. There's a real sense of community here. It feels like everyone is related."

The weekend began with dinner catered by Incredible Edibles, followed by rib-tickling fun with entertainer Michael John. All main events were held in the tent at the Village Green.

"We'd never heard Michael before," said event coordinator Sandy Goodsell, "but he came highly recommended to us. And he was just phenomenal; a fabulous entertainer. I think everybody had a great time."

"He kept the crowd involved all evening," agreed volunteer Jan Taylor. "He even had gals up on the stage playing the kazoo."

Saturday featured workshops and hikes throughout the area.

A new hike, which included a tour of the Dee Wright Observatory along the McKenzie Pass, was offered this year. Workshops featured tips on flower arranging, stamping, and yoga. The Silly Sisters Act and Line Dancing with host Dave Wilkins capped off the day.

The weekend wound down with a Sunday brunch and closing address by the Satellite Sisters, AKA the Dolan sisters, who host a weekly radio show on Public Radio.

"The Silly Sisters act is always a favorite," said Goodsell. "This year we had the Spudnick Sisters, who were a take-off on the Satellite Sisters. They were wonderful."

The richly-furnished Hospitality Room added a touch of femininity to the tent area this year.

A beautiful assortment of vintage furniture graced the area, and women could help themselves to a wide variety of beverages and other goodies.

"The Hospitality Room is a result of the surveys we took last year," said Goodsell. "The ladies said they wanted a place where they could just sit and relax. All the wonderful antique furnishings belong to Shawn Taylor, who set up the Hospitality Room."

Goodsell believes it was the best celebration yet.

"We received only positive comments," said Goodsell. "I'd say it was a huge success."