Computer Club celebrates 10 years

Mary Morton, one of the original founders of the Black Butte Computer Club, and Donna Hunter, on the right, co-hosted the10th anniversary meeting of the club, last week, with a reception at Black Butte Ranch. Photo by Tom Chace

The Black Butte Computer Club had a party last week to celebrate it's 10th anniversary.

"When we started this thing our only purpose was to get together to help each other learn more about those computers we were all having trouble with back then," said Jim Rimmer, one of the founding members.

The first meeting was held at the Black Butte Lodge, "but our name had nothing to do with the Ranch," Rimmer said. "It was generic to the area as we wanted anyone from Sisters or other places to come and join with us."

The co-founder was Pete Peterson. His wife, Ruth, is still the club treasurer, recently elected for the 10th time.

"It was Pete who said we shouldn't have any dues or fees for our meetings, but those who wished could ante up $20 as a one-time, lifetime membership charge. We still do that to this day," she said.

"The club spends little money so we have a sizable treasury," Peterson said.

Right from the beginning, speakers gave of their time. Black Butte Ranch (BBR) lets the club use one of its board rooms in the Lodge and notices and mailings are paid by the chairman, or one of the other members.

A video projector is frequently needed for showing material or online activities in connection with a topic. That is loaned to the club by the BBR administrative office.

"This is a very unique organization," said Rimmer. "We've always been open to the public without charge and we owe a great deal of thanks to the Ranch for use of its facilities, even though over half our membership are not Black Butte Ranch residents."

At the first organizational meeting in June of 1993, at the home of the Petersons, "there were only five or six of us, Rimmer said. "Mary Morton was among the original group."

There are now over 60 on the mailing list, it was reported. Attendance is usually between 20 and 30 persons.

"We decided to stick to the IBM clones, as they were called then, versus the Macintosh. We thought the 'Mac' users would do better and so would we if we separated the two as the operating systems were so different and so were the programs back then," Rimmer said.

There is a MAC club here now, headed by Conrad Weiler. It also meets monthly and is open to the public. For information, call Weiler at 595-5256.

The main purpose, according to Rimmer, was to share ideas and knowledge.

"Hard to believe that only 10 years ago very few of us knew how to operate a computer much less some of the intricate details about programs and such," he said.

"One of our first guest speakers was Leslie Bushnell, manager of the newly formed internet connection, Outlawnet.com. This web server was the first local company in our area and was under the auspices of our Sisters High School. That's how it got its name," Rimmer said.

"She really helped us get going and got us online and answered our dumb questions," he said.

"Another great help in the beginning was a friend of mine from Air Force Village West in Riverside, California, a retirement community for the military. He told us how their club ran successfully and we followed suit."

Jim Rimmer was named the first president by Peterson, but in the second year Jerry Christopherson was elected chairman.

He held that spot for fives years. Tom Chace is the current chairman and Les Jacobs is vice-chairman.

The club meets on the third Thursday of each month at 3 p.m. Those interested may call Chace at 549-1103 to be put on the free mailing list.