Free soup - and music in Sisters

Although there may be no such thing as a free lunch, Sisters Coffee Company hasn't gotten the message. For that, the community is grateful. Last Friday evening the coffee house hosted another of its free soup nights and provided musical accompaniment to make the event even more palatable.

Sisters Coffee Company has a history of community outreach, and their latest event was another example of how Sisters is more than just a place to live. It's an involved community that gives and receives.

Woodie Woodsum, a Camp Sherman resident and the construction manager for Sisters Habitat for Humanity, talked about how much he appreciates the coffee company's owners opening the facility to the community.

"There are a lot of organizations that meet here; Habitat has its board meetings here," he said.

Woodsum said that in return the community gives back to the company. He added that not only do a lot of people come in for coffee, but also many people become friends and help out with the events.

"I try to come anytime I am in town, and sometimes I help to prepare the stuff," he said. Looking around he reflected that there is usually a group of regulars who come to these events, but "tonight I see a lot of new faces."

Linda Brooksby, a broker with Reed Bros. Realty, was one of the new faces. She said that Friday was the first time she had come to the soup night, although she is no stranger to the coffee shop.

"I had to work this evening and just decided I would come here instead of going home and coming back into town again," she said.

The entertainment was provided by Rhonda Funk, a singer-songwriter who has released two CDs.

She quipped,"I am a native Washingtonian. I hope that's okay to say around here." She then laughed and said, "I sang here a couple of years ago at the Les Schwab Amphitheater and at a couple of churches."

Funk now lives in Redmond, having moved to Central Oregon from The Dalles. She loves the area and is committed to making this her family's permanent home.

Funk believes that she has music in her blood; her grandmother was very musical and an inspiration to her.

"I have been songwriting since I was 15," she said.

Earlier in the day she had emptied out her desk and quit her day job as a real estate broker for John L. Scott Realty in Bend.

"I am ready to move forward and pursue music on a full-time basis," she said.

Carol Doyel was casting an anxious eye around the café making sure that everything was in order. She explained that this is the second year for the soup night, and it takes place on the third Friday of each month but only during the fall and winter. She said that the normal attendance is around 60 people; however, they were nearly overwhelmed in December when they had over 100 people come for the evening.

One of the highlights of the night for Doyel was the turkey vegetable soup that was made by Vince Fauldi, a chef at Sisters Harvest Basket. A spicy chicken soup and clam chowder added to the fare; all were being consumed at a heady pace.

Gary Tripp, owner of Out West Designs, and his wife Nancy were a part of the crowd smiling and nodding to other friendly faces.

"I see acquaintances and friends," he said. "It is a small town, and it doesn't take too long to be able to recognize almost everybody." About the event he remarked, "I love it; it is a good time to get together with people."

Mike Brady, an Oregon State Trooper, is a regular at the soup night. He is one of only 14 troopers who are stationed in the area. He enjoys the fellowship and looks forward to the events.

"I enjoy them a lot," he said.

Luann Danforth, a resident of Crossroads, and her husband were attending the soup night for the second time.

She said, "We came in December. They were going to have the Cowboy Poetry but had the Sisters Jazz Choir instead."

The Danforths had such a good time even though December's event was not what they had expected that they decided to try it out again this month.