Holiday bazaars bring out shoppers

Sisters merchants and eateries enjoyed a robust weekend of holiday shoppers roaming main streets and side streets with hot coffee, mittens and arms laden with gift bags. Many could be found prowling one of the Sisters Country's offerings of old-fashioned Oregon Christmas craft fairs and bazaars.

Up in Camp Sherman at the traditional Holiday Bazaar and Country Store, guests sifted through a wonderland of hand-crafted gift items, baked goods and fresh fir wreaths.

"We had a good crowd both days," said organizer Renee May. "It was well-attended, even though there were some icy roads and the Oregon Ducks game Friday night. We did super."

Paula Kaye, a retired teacher from Medora, North Dakota, now living in Sisters, made the drive Saturday afternoon. "I had some great lentil soup," she said. "It's such a cute community hall in the pines. I got some good stuff I think. There were a couple of antique yarn spools with candles in them I wish I'd bought. I loved how all the kids participated with their plates of cookies and holiday wreaths for sale."

At St. Edward's Christmas Craft and Gift Bazaar, visitors had a huge selection of gifts and food items to choose from. The room was lined with holiday housewares and decorating items, ornaments, crocheted stockings, Christmas cards, Don Zylius watercolor paintings and a stack of Tom Browning's nostalgic Santa Series prints.

"For our first year it went really well," said Cathy Ehlers. "If it weren't for the wedding on Saturday (which led to shortened hours for the bazaar) it might have been better. Everyone was so generous in their donations, especially all the wonderful baked goods."

Marlene Baldock was on hand discovering some local bargains.

"I'm looking for ideas for Christmas and found these sugar cookies and some Christmas-themed potholders," she said. "There's some lovely artwork here and it's just a nice group of ladies."

Church member Laura Berning admired all the great people living here in Sisters and their support.

"Many of the visitors were so impressed with our St. Winefride's garden and waterfall outside," she said. "They were buying a little bit of everything. We have so many cookies and cakes left, we don't know what to do with it all."

As Sunday afternoon wound down, volunteer cooks filtered in to prepare a meal for Bethlehem Inn, a homeless shelter for families in Bend.

"This is our monthly turn to cook for them," said Karyn Miller. "They call us the Meatloaf Church becase we always make meatloaf and mashed potatoes and gravy instead of the usual pastas and casseroles. We love doing it, and it's very rewarding."