Camp Sherman celebrates holiday

When it comes to celebrating the Fourth of July, Camp Sherman knows how to dish up a thick slice of Americana.

It started Saturday afternoon with the traditional Fourth of July weekend parade of bikes, pedestrians and Lee Farm’s 1930 Model A truck to the Camp Sherman Store. There, Chef Roger White and his cohorts Frank Deggendorfer on burgers and Larry Fernandez on chicken were rounding up grub for the hungry holiday crowd.

The sound of the River Pigs rocking music got everybody into a happy, toe-tapping mood. The River Pigs are named after early loggers who worked on the river and separated floating logs.

A few raindrops didn’t deter the happy crowd of revelers. Children danced, old-timers swapped stories, and campers filled their stomachs with the hearty food.

“There’s no place quite like this,” said Nancy Graham, sitting at the table with husband Mike and two grandchildren. “We live over in Tract O and are enjoying the evening.”

The crowd of several hundred folks consisted of locals, snowbirds home for the summer, campers and anybody else who had a hankering for good, down-home food.

Early the next morning saw great activity at Camp Sherman’s Community Hall. It was time to fire up the stoves and get ready for the Camp Sherman Community Association’s (CSCA) annual pancake breakfast.

Uncle Sam (Vaughn Willoughby) and his wife, Jake, collected money at the entry door. Next came eggs, pancakes, ham, and all the trimmings served by CSCA members. CSCA President Bruce Shaull professionally flipped fried eggs on the large grill. The line snaked out the door into the parking lot, but the friendly holiday crowd didn’t seem to mind the wait.

Inside, Mary Kate Spencer was enjoying her breakfast. She has owned a Camp Sherman cabin in Tract O since the 1930s. Her friend, Marti Dale, recalled past days when Mary trekked in Nepal during the late ’60s and early ’70s.

“I also went backpacking on the Pacific Crest Trail for up to 10 days at a time,” recalled Mary.

At the same table were high schoolers Liz Dale and her friend Erica Durtchi, just back from the downhill ski training camp at MBSEF (Mt. Bachelor Ski Education Foundation) held at Mt. Hood.

“In fact they just got back from the glacier,” said Marti Dale.

Both girls are lifeguarding this summer at Black Butte Ranch pools and Durtchi from Bend’s Summit High School, is staying with the Dales in Camp Sherman while working at the Ranch.

Clara Cool, CSCA volunteer, was table-hopping and filling guest’s coffee cups with fresh brew. The never-ending line of breakfast fans seemed to get longer and longer as the morning wore on. The friendly crowd was laid back and in no great hurry to get anywhere — just enjoying the warm holiday weekend with other friendly folks.