Volunteers cooperate to make jazz fest swing

The musicians put the Sisters Jazz Festival crowds on the dance floor, but it's local volunters who roll out that dance floor -- and more besides.

"Without our corps of volunteers we could not put on this show," said Jim Smith, director of the 2003 festival held last weekend.

One hundred percent of those involved in the Jazz Festival, including the director, are volunteers. They are site managers, door checkers, greeters, ticket and badge sellers, shuttle bus drivers, band services people and the 30 or so at the Musicians Hospitality Center.

At the Sisters Elementary School venue, Peter Shannon was in his first year as site manager. He was assisted by Jim and Norine Cheney, neighbors, and also first-year volunteers.

Shannon reportedly was recruited when the new volunteer director, Kelsey Collins, made a determined effort to "get a site manager today." She and a friend went to Bronco Billy's Saloon and "interviewed people until Peter came forward." said Collins.

Shannon, in turn, went to his neighbors along Mountain View Road and got several to "volunteer." Among those were the Cheneys.

Jim Cheney is an artist who specializes in custom "eclectic" furniture in metal and wood. His company is called Creation Works and his shop is in his home (www.creationworks.net).

"I've been involved in music for 12 years before moving here," Cheney said. "I played a trumpet in bands in Shreveport, Louisiana and Dallas, Texas. Also in my church. I love all music but jazz is my favorite so this job as a volunteer is perfect for me."

His wife Norine sings "mostly with my church, the Three Sisters Fellowship. My favorite music is the blues.

"We have three boys, 14, 15 and 17 all in high school here in Sisters," she said.

John Galley is retired from the Coast Guard and is in a wheelchair due to a military accident. His wife, Lori, is a "go-fer" for the festival, running soft drinks to band members and doing whatever else needs to be done. John greets guests and checks badges at the entrance.

At the Comfort Inn/R.V. Park, Don Oliver, in a red vest signifying the role of site manager, was in his 12th year of volunteering. That's every one of the festivals since it started.

Annie and Ken Condit are the official managers and Oliver is their assistant.

Sitting in the sun on a cool Saturday morning alongside the building in perfect view of the bandstand, Cathleen Cargile said she called the festival office to volunteer as "I now have the time since I don't teach at COCC in Bend any longer."

She "retired" last December from teaching research skills in the library there and spent the winter in Mexico.

"I came back to Sisters in May and here I am," she said.

She recruited a friend of hers from Bend, newly arrived David Bryant who has been in this area only four months.

Sheryl Whent has been a volunteer for the 12 years there has been a jazz festival here.

"I started in the hospitality suite, then became a rover and for the past many years have headed ticket and badge sales," she said.

Working with Whent at the elementary school venue as a ticket and badge seller is Juanita Post, another first year festival volunteer.

Don McKay, decked out in his felt top-hat, drives a van when the school buses are inoperable, hauling fans from one venue site to another.

"I usually help with the setup and tear down at the big tent," he volunteered, "but I also told 'em I could drive a bus in an emergency and I guess this is an emergency 'cause here I am doing shuttle work."

Two long-time volunteers and devotees of jazz music are Jim and Marianne Schrader. She is secretary for the board. They were sporting matching white vests with glimmering beads and sequins and long bead-chains around their necks, proudly wearing their white volunteer ribbons as they headed to their post again this year.

"We just love jazz and go to as many festivals as we can," said Jim. They ticked off Seaside, Port Angeles, San Diego, Medford, Sacramento, Yreka and Mammoth Lakes Jazz Festivals.

"Of course, the one we like the most is right here, our own Sisters Jazz Festival."

It seems from the over 150 volunteers working here last weekend that they are not alone.