Sisters Gals gather for reunion

(L-R): Ruth McKenzie, Becky Johnson, Irene Peck, Naomi Smith, Edith Leithauser, Velma Johnson and Barbara Meyer, all over 80, gathered with the Sisters Gals last week. photo by Judy Vallembois

About 40 current and former residents of Sisters gathered from all points of the compass to have lunch at The Fountain Restaurant in Redmond on October 17.

Barbara Meyer and Edith Leithauser coordinated the event. Barbara served as Master of Ceremonies.

This annual event began 13 years ago because many who were involved with the Forest Service or logging long ago decided it would be fun to get together and remember the old Sisters community.

A number of the attendees moved to Sisters about 1946, at the same time the Brooks-Scanlon logging camp moved just west of Sisters.

Nellie Moss recalled moving to the camp when she was nine years old. Her family lived at the logging camp in portable housing provided by Brooks-Scanlon. She said a typical house was about 12 feet by 24 feet and consisted of two rooms. If more rooms were needed, additions the same size were connected by a chute or hallway.

One part of the house was the kitchen and living room and that was connected to another large room used as two bedrooms. No electricity or hot water were available but cold water was piped inside. The bathroom was, of course, located outside.

In 1962, Nellie and her husband purchased a building and lot with no electricity for $500 at the corner of Main Avenue and Ash Street. That same place is her home in 2003.

Loris Watson moved to the area in 1939 at age one. Her father was a Hitchcock Mill timber faller. He purchased a house on Locust Street and expanded it to meet the needs of a growing family. Loris also lives in that same house today.

Sisters Wynona May Lowe and Lois Trowbridge moved to Sisters in 1945 or '46.

They attended Sisters Union High School in the brick building which up until recently served as the Sisters Middle School.

Their first job was at the Mobil gas station their father owned.

Wynona said she "missed the wonderful fellowship of friends and the mothers of kids getting together" but she added getting together now is even more fun. Lois said she missed the logging.

Dorothy Gridley and her husband Elmer arrived in Sisters about 1947.

Elmer helped cut blocks of ice for refrigeration with a hand saw from a pond close to town.

Also in attendance was Becky Johnson, who recently celebrated her 90th birthday. She received a chocolate rose in a pretty green bud vase.

She remarked that, "History is a great human drama unfolding."