Calendar celebrates horsewomen of Sisters

The Sisters Country is horse country, and many of the region's womenfolk are accomplished competitors, trainers and trail riders.

The new Horsewomen of Sisters, Oregon 2012 calendar celebrates the distaff side of Sisters Country horse culture - while raising funds for animal rescue.

Many of the calendar's subjects, resplendent in their best cowgirl duds, rolled out the calendar with a celebration at Bronco Billy's Ranch Grill and Saloon last Wednesday. Calendar producers Darlene Johnston, Susan Aylor, Patty Swarens, Carol Stratton and Lynn Woodward thanked everyone who participated in the endeavor.

Photographer Woodward thanked key participants, such as those who donated the use of old-time props. Kate Aspen of Cowgirls and Indians Resale provided much of the clothing for the photo shoots.

"Without your generosity, this would have been just another nudie calendar!" Woodward quipped.

Scenes for the calendar are whimsical, with biographies of each of the horsewomen accompanying the photos. The extensive photo shoots utilized downtown Sisters locations, from Sisters Coffee Co. to Sisters Feed & Supply, and several backcountry locations. The calendar was printed by XPress Printing.

Sales were brisk at the Sisters Western & Native American Arts Festival last weekend, with many patrons commenting on the outstanding quality of the calendar.

The calendar will be on sale in locations all around Sisters: Cowgirls and Indians Resale, GreenRidge Physical Therapy, Melvin's Fir Street Market/Cork Cellars, Paulina Springs Books, Lynn Woodward Photography, Leavitt's, Broken Top Veterinary, The Paper Place, The Pony Express, Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center, Sisters Coffee Co., Sisters Feed & Supply, and Groomingdales.

The price is $12, with proceeds going to Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Livestock Rescue and Shelter and to Wild Wings Raptor Rehabilitation in Sisters.