Don Boyd (re)joins fire district board

Don Boyd, who is known to most of Sisters as the wine steward at Ray's Food Place, is taking a position for the second time on the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District board. Boyd is a veteran volunteer with three decades of commitment to Sisters.

Boyd was the manager of Pioneer Century Market for several years before the concern was purchased by Ray's in 1995. With the transition to the new ownership, he decided to spread his wings and try his hand as an entrepreneur.

"We opened a place called Seasons Café, and my wife Joyce and I operated that for about five years. It was so successful that it almost killed us," said Boyd.

The couple ended up selling the business, and Boyd went back to work at Ray's where he became the ubiquitous wine steward who always has the right answer for the perfect wine choice. He is not a newcomer to the study of wine.

"I got into wine back in the late '60s, and I really enjoy the work in the wine department. You meet so many great people, and there is always something new to learn. Every year there are new vintages and characters to learn and new wines come on the market. It is a very interesting job that keeps you from ever getting in a rut," said Boyd.

Volunteer service for the fire district is not a new thing to Boyd, who previously chaired the district's budget committee and about five years ago completed a vacant term on the board after the death of a board member. "It is a chance for me to give back to the community, and hopefully I will be able to make some contributions," he said.

The area of finance is a strong point for Boyd who said: "I have a little bit of Scottish blood and try to find ways to do things that can save money. It isn't that I want to diminish anything; it is that I have champagne tastes but a beer budget, so I have to find ways to make everything happen and make it more cost effective."

Many changes have occurred in the district since Chief Taylor Robertson took over the reins. "I am really amazed at the changes since the Chief (Robertson) took over about four years ago. It is remarkable what he has done for the fire district and how much work he has put into it," said Boyd.

The changes will take a little time to absorb, according to Boyd.

"There have been so many changes in the last four years that it will take me a little time to get back into the groove. But I am really looking forward to it," he said.