'Sisters' come out to visit the town of that name

Arranging dried flowers at Sisters in Sisters. photo by Conrad Weiler Sunny, warm weather greeted nearly 300 women last weekend for the seventh annual Sisters in Sisters event.

Headquartered in a large tent at Main Avenue and Spruce Street, the women also used Sisters Elementary School for Saturday workshops or had options for walking along the Metolius River and touring the Old McKenzie Highway during their busy weekend.

Incredible Edibles Catering served dinners under the tent on Friday and Saturday evenings and a wind-up brunch on Sunday morning.

"I enjoyed the show last night after dinner," said Judy Paradiso from Kent, Washington. Her sister, Joan Rohm from Oak Harbor, Washington, agreed, saying, "Last night's conga line was great. It gives everybody a chance to let their hair down."

Elizabeth Newton, from Tigard, Oregon, enjoyed the tour of the Old McKenzie Highway.

"We left the main group and hiked out to the Matthew Lakes area. Just beautiful scenery," she said.

Morning and afternoon workshops on Saturday were quite varied, ranging from Qigong, Hypnosis, and Essential Oils, to Writer's Workshop, One Stroke Painting, and Tomboy Tools. Seemingly, there was something for everyone to enjoy and benefit from.

Saturday morning, under the tent, a large group of active women were engaged in the Beads and Jewelry Design workshop led by local artist Kate Aspen. At the same time and place other women were working in Catherine Hicks' Dried Flower Arranging workshop.

Laura White, 88, with one-year-old Kennedy Schumacher. photo by Conrad Weiler

Sandy Murphy came the farthest for the Sisters in Sisters event, hailing from Dublin, Ireland, to be with her three Oregon sisters.

"I'm so surprised how nice the weather is here," she said. "Do you really have sun for 250 days or more? I also like the friendliness of all the people in Sisters and at this event."

Describing themselves as 'soul sisters,' Rhonda Pfenning, from Hollister, California, and Judy Nurby, from Mendocino, California, said they enjoyed the camaraderie at the event.

"We also like the inspiration and energy displayed by all the women," said Rhonda.

The age range of participants was astounding. Three-and-a-half generations separated local resident Laura White, 88, and Kennedy Schumacher, from Goldendale, Washington, at one year old.

The floral pieces throughout the tent were supplied by Wild Dusty Rose, as was use of the land under the tent.

Once again, Sandy Goodsell and her band of volunteers did a magnificent job of coordinating the three-day affair.

Volunteer Ron Roach, who has worked on all seven Sisters in Sisters events, was again very helpful in the tent activities. He also led Saturday's tour of the Old McKenzie Highway.

Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, Black Butte Ranch and a host of other local businesses, this year's event was enjoyed by all who attended. It was created and presented by an all-volunteer staff.

Many of the women return each year; some have attended every event since its inception.

They are looking forward to the eighth Sisters-in-Sisters gathering next year.