Bowne well on road to recovery

Gary Bowne is back in the director's chair and back on the stage playing music.

That's a profound step for the Sisters drama and Americana Project teacher, who was nearly killed in an accident on Highway 242 near Sisters High School last October.

While he's not ready to return to the classroom just yet, he's working twice a week with students at Bend Theatre for Young People, directing "Murder at the Banquet," a detective spoof featuring thespians in grades 4-7. He also came to rehearsals to support Sisters students working on "Peter Pan."

"The medical team released me to do that a couple of days a week," Bowne told The Nugget. "They thought that was something that would be manageable for me. I'm still in a pretty weakened condition. My doctors cautioned me not to go back prematurely and to be cautious about my energy."

Bowne suffered serious head injuries and injuries to his right side when his bicycle collided with a car. Head trauma caused serious short-term memory problems and damage to the optic nerve affecting his right eye. Both of those conditions have markedly improved.

"My memory is doing much, much better than anyone anticipated," he said.

Bowne said that he has performed with his band, Big Pine and the Pitchtones, and was able to remember the lyrics for the songs he sings with the band. He's also able to play his instruments, which he's been using for physical therapy.

"My left side was damaged in the accident," Bowne said. "I certainly have a long ways to go to recover my chops on the guitar and the mandolin, but I can play simple rhythms."

He recently passed a driver's test, allowing him to get back behind the wheel, and the freedom of movement is "a joy," he said.

Bowne expressed profound gratitude for the community support he received after his accident. He's contacted the first-responders from the Sisters-Camp Sherman fire department, but he's really looking forward to thanking them in person.

And he's especially proud of the drama students who took the initiative to produce "Peter Pan" on their own.

"In 20 years of education in theater, I've never seen students so self-directed," he said.

The students will perform "Peter Pan" at the Sisters High School auditorium Thursday through Sunday, April 26-29. Shows are at 7 p.m. through Saturday, with matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets at the door are $7 for adults and $5 for students.