News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sisters Movie House was named Sisters Business of the Year, and Darren Layne earned Citizen of the Year honors at the annual Black & White Ball awards dinner hosted by the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce.
The conference center at FivePine was packed with local luminaries as the chamber honored community achievements for 2010 and cast its eye forward to an active 2011.
Chamber Executive Director Erin Borla described a major push for national recognition to bring visitors to the Sisters Country.
"Over the past 12 months we have worked diligently to get Sisters recognized in national publications like Budget Travel - America's Coolest Small Towns, National Geographic Adventure Magazine - America's Top 100 Adventure Towns, the National Geographic Geotoursim Map for the Central Cascades, Via Magazine, Sunset Magazine and so much more.
"We have also been able to leverage paid advertising throughout the Northwest with the help from our lodging and recreation partners. This partnership has enabled us to spend more in 2010 in direct advertising of Sisters Country than in the past five years - which helped us leverage over 7.5 million impressions of the Sisters Country brand message."
That effort will continue in 2011, boosted by a higher profile for cycling opportunities.
"As we look to the future, it's all bright for Sisters Country," Borla said. "The chamber, along with 20 community volunteers, applied for three Scenic Bikeway Routes with Oregon State Parks and Recreation and all three were approved. In addition to the Scenic Bikeway Routes, we are developing an additional business-focused Web site and e-newsletter to showcase the economic successes of our business community; we are working on a large-scale 'keep it local' campaign; we will be hosting staff and business training opportunities to encourage entry-level workers to further understand all that Sisters Country has to offer. And we have even more in the works."
The audience was treated to the debut of a promotional video commissioned by the Chamber and produced by Eli Pyke and Zion Pictures. The skillfully crafted piece depicts the many facets of the Sisters Country, from outdoor recreation to events, from lodging facilities to arts and culture.
Attendees were given a copy of the DVD to take home.
Outgoing Chamber President Patty Vandiver offered up the President's Award to Jerry Bogart, particularly singling out his contributions to Sisters' economic development efforts as a member of Sisters Business Attraction and Retention Team and as a member of the EDCO (Economic Development for Central Oregon) board of directors.
A bit of intrigue was required to get the 2010 Volunteers of the Year to the banquet to receive their award. Dave and Donna Moyer were supposed to be elsewhere. Volunteering.
They traditionally help out at Outlaws basketball games and they were supposed to be at the gym for the contest against Cottage Grove.
Between them the Moyers volunteer with the Sisters-Camp Sherman fire department and Sisters schools, and their home is always open to any who need help or support.
"We enjoy doing things in this community, no matter if it's for elderly people or for little kids, four or five years old," Donna said.
Characteristically, Dave Moyer didn't make a speech.
"I knew something was up; I didn't know what," Dave said, looking down at his suit and tie. "So I had to dress up like this."
Both were visibly moved by the honor.
Sisters Habitat for Humanity Director Sharlene Weed was taken aback at the announcement that the organization had been named Non-Profit of the Year.
She later told The Nugget, "The timing of the award is especially meaningful, as earlier in the day we honored our co-founder Julia Hammond at her memorial service. And this year is our 20th anniversary."
Sisters Athletic Club was honored with the first-ever Customer Service Award. The new award acknowledges a business for whom the customer is always the top priority. SAC staff knows all their clients by name (no membership cards) - a signal achievement in that industry.
Tate Metcalf said he and his staff understand that folks in the Sisters Country don't have to come to an athletic club for exercise. Therefore they strive to add value, through great service and engaging classes and activities.
"Our principle is that we're in the entertainment business," said SAC owner Metcalf. "So hopefully if you come you are entertained."
Chuck Fadeley, who is stepping away from his Chamber duties after 12 years of service, introduced Darren Layne as 2010 Citizen of the Year.
Layne does not seek out the limelight. In fact, his wife called out, "You don't have to make a speech honey!" as he approached the podium to accept his award.
But Layne has worked diligently behind the scenes - from the Sisters Schools Foundation to the school lacrosse program, from the SOAR Foundation Board to the Chamber, and now service on the Sisters Planning Commission - to enhance the quality of life in the Sisters Country.
In his remarks, Layne cited the influence of Bill and Jan Reed and their community-spiritedness, and noted that it's "that sense of community that makes us; it's not a false front on a building." He extolled the virtues of a community where "we can have disagreements and not be divisive, and come back together and be friends at the end of the day."
Sisters Movie House was honored as Business of the Year for the efforts of Lisa Clausen and her staff to attract people in to the Sisters Country as well as the ability to provide a high-quality entertainment experience.
A video production by Kara Jensen featured interviews with community members about the value of the movie house to Sisters - and an interview with Clausen extending her regrets that she was out of town "somewhere warm" and unable to accept the award in person.
Sisters Movie House employees Rob and Cindy Bell accepted the award.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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