Christmas Tree lighting draws a crowd

Carolers from the Episcopal Church entertained the crowd. photo by Jim Mitchell Despite near freezing temperatures, several hundred people turned out at Barclay Park for the lighting of the town Christmas Tree.

Rick Dancer, newsman for KEZI 9 television in Eugene, welcomed the crowd with a brief resume of happenings to follow in the event staged by the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce.

Caroline Lucas, chamber president, introduced the event as the Second Annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. She invited all to attend the annual Christmas Parade the next day, followed by a bonfire and refreshments with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Chamber of Commerce.

Peter Storton entertained the crowd with the story of the founding of Barclay Park:

"The park was born from an inspiration -- that we didn't have a place to go to the bathroom in Sisters. We came to be known as the town of Little Johns for all of the portable toilets spread through the community.

"It was a Chamber project, along with the City of Sisters, to bring about this wonderful park. And the citizens of Sisters contributed over $250,000 and their time, labor, and equipment to complete the project. The park was named after Harold and Dorothy Barclay, a family that had been in Sisters forever."

Storton introduced Harv and Cathy Moen, who had contributed the 30-foot Colorado Blue Spruce Christmas tree. He related how the tree came to Sisters from Colorado 14 years ago and was planted and tended by Jackie Gerland. At that time it was 10 feet tall.

After a blessing by Ed Beacham, members of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration Choir invited the crowd to join in singing Christmas carols. At a pre-arranged time (the beginning of Silent Night) the tree's white lights blinked on and the lighting was history.

The tree lights may have warmed the hearts of those present, but the crowd dispersed rapidly, presumably to warm fingers and toes.