News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Julie and Steve York are the new owners of Blue Spruce Bed & Breakfast.
After 30 years as an educator, Julie York has shifted gears to become the owner and operator of Blue Spruce Bed & Breakfast.
Julie and husband Steve took over the operation of Sisters' only bed and breakfast at the beginning of July - just in time for the rush of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. They got through that trial-by-fire in fine style.
"Quilt Show was great," Julie said.
Julie's work with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) literally put her on the road to Sisters.
"I do a lot of travel with school groups and started staying at bed and breakfasts," she said.
One of those was Blue Spruce, and she discovered that owner and manager Sandy Affonso was looking to leave the business. Julie was interested in getting in, and the ball was rolling.
As she gets the bed and breakfast business going, Julie continues to do some work for ODE remotely, while Steve teaches math in Grants Pass and commutes to Sisters. The couple has installed new wood floors and done some painting and they are working a marketing push to fill the bookings for the bed and breakfast.
"That would really be my goal: to be busy every weekend," Julie said.
While accommodating visitors is the primary function of the Blue Spruce, she's willing to look at retreats and offering meeting space.
"I'm open to anything," she said.
After decades of teaching, working as a principal and serving in the state department of education, Julie is enjoying the transition into a new career. She loves meeting the people who come from around the world to experience Sisters Country, and she's having no trouble adjusting to small-town life.
"We're happy to be in a small community," she said, noting that she and Steve will be active members of that community. "To be able to go out the door and walk anywhere I want to go is just the best."
She's enjoying having deer in the yard and snow on the ground.
"I love it," she said. "I'm a snow person. I'm a happy camper."
For more information on Blue Spruce Bed & Breakfast, visit http://www.blue-spruce.biz or call 541-549-9644 or 888-328-9644.
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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