'Sisters' gather in Sisters

Women from all over America gathered last weekend at FivePine Lodge to reunite with their sisters, sisters-in-law, mothers, daughters, aunts and friends - sisters of the heart. The spirit of women's camaraderie was strong - and frequently a little silly.

Dave Star, DJ for all 12 years of Sisters in Sisters and owner of Star Productions, came out dressed as a giant candy kiss, singing the Candy Man song. Full of frivolity, he even got his mother up to tell a few jokes.

Singer Lindy Gravelle saluted women's strength Saturday with an original song she wrote with Joyce Rouse:

"Sometimes the hand that rocks the cradle has got to rock the boat/ From women's wrongs to women's rights, it's a long and rocky road."

Women have a special bond that men may not be able to understand.

"Women are more sentimental about their sisters," said Sherry Barton. "I have brothers, too, but I wouldn't go on a trip like this with them."

Sylvia Grasmick had a slightly differing viewpoint: "We brought our brother with us, but left him at the hotel."

Carolyn Riggs of Houston, Texas, has come to a few of the Sisters gatherings.

"My sister and I are 10 years apart. So this gives us a chance to talk about things, benefit a charitable organization, be silly, get ridiculous and connect with wild sisters in Sisters," Riggs said.

Proceeds from the raffles benefit Saving Grace, formerly known as COBRA, which helps women live without violence.

The event was more than just a chance to enjoy a family reunion with women relatives. There were workshops to share.

Several workshops were about body movement, from belly dance, to dance aerobics with meditation thrown in.

Local artist Barbara Berry offered her Watercolor 101 instruction for those interested in developing their artistic side.

Eileen Lock warmed up Friday evening's crowd, proclaiming that happiness is an inside job. She shared the stage with Lydia Gonzales who got people out of their chairs with a "laughing meditation."

She led the audience in literally laughing as a form of release.

Sisters Dorothy Rice and Carolyn McNonigal came a day early so they could shop in Sisters. It's their sixth visit.

A mother who always comes with her daughter brought her friend who brought her daughter.

"We come and each year we always bring someone (new) back with us," said Jan Markham of Crooked River Ranch. "Our husbands are fishing and we're playing."

Some sisters were grateful to be alive and able to celebrate with their sister. Nancy Walter, of Redmond, disclosed how life was quite different one short year ago.

"Last year on my sister's birthday on September 26, I had cardiac arrest at work. I'm just happy to be alive," she said. "I was literally dead for a few minutes. An employee and my boss both knew CPR."

Sister Suzy Miller was glad she and her sister could be together this year to celebrate. Beverly Gruenberg suffered a head trauma eight years ago.

"I was at work as a letter carrier and fell, hitting my head on a table and then on the concrete floor. In an instant your life changes," she said. "I had to re-learn everything, how to speak, how to read, everything. I had four years of therapy."

Her sister, Sandy, has tried to help her through it.

"Progress has been slow," Sandy said. "It's taken all these years for her to be able to drive. You lose your independence, you get lost."

They've come to Sisters in Sisters six times.

"Sue Kirby (a motivational speaker) was an inspiration to me," Gruenberg said. "We are so glad she is speaking this year. I keep words of wisdom from her forever. It helped with my recovery."

Many sisters related to Kirby, who has had some hard knocks and survived.

"We're going to lift up our husbands and try to deal with our kids," she said.

While demonstrating her skills at making unique, beautiful and sometimes humorous centerpieces, she imbued the audience with her philosophy not to stress about the small stuff because, "It doesn't matter. Don't worry if the leaf in a centerpiece should be at this angle or that. Just have fun. Nobody is going to walk up and adjust the leaves.

"Celebrate life," she advises women. "We have to be the ones to change things."