Thank you, Bronco Billy's

It was an October Nugget Newspaper ad, 1995. My son, Sebastian, was almost 2 and it was time for me to get a part-time job. I went to one interview and was hired on the spot by John Keenan, a joint owner of The Historic Hotel Sisters Restaurant. I was a waitress in high school, now, six years later I had a college degree and several years experience working with abused and/or delinquent kids. I had most recently left a job as a school administrator in So. Cal.

Keenan informed me that waitresses were called "servers" now and I was thrilled with my new title.

Halloween 1995, I dressed up like a Western "server," complete with black Wranglers (of which I was not a fan), a new, pressed long-sleeve white button-up shirt (with a hint of bleach scent), a black leather vest adorned with a silver bolo, and a big ol' belt buckle that pinched my belly as I drove to my first shift on the job. I worked weekends until summer, trained by the best (thanks Elayne) awaiting the masses to flee their homes in search of God's Country, also known as Central Oregon.

The Hotel Sisters (Bronco Billy's Ranch Grill & Saloon) became my family and my home away from home.

You learn so much about a town and the community that thrives there from being a server.

Being a cocktail waitress stretched me as a person - the mixed drinks, the pricing, knowing how to gracefully cut someone off, allowing the customer to think it was their idea, and to juggle dozens of requests simultaneously.

Although the dining room was my fave, I enjoyed cocktailing, bartending, the deck and the beautiful banquets upstairs.

Although it's been almost 20 years since I poured my first drink, I still see familiar faces - I often forget the names, but still remember the drink! Tanqueray/tonic with a twist and a splash of water (Bill), Johnny Walker Red (Arnie) and Early Times (Russ) have all since passed, but their stories and memories live on within those walls and beyond.

Summers were spent prepping and feeding the masses: Quilt Show, Gem Show, Antique Show, Sisters in Sisters, Rodeo, weddings, birthdays. There's a reason that I was 20 pounds lighter then and never needed a gym membership; stairs and serving is all you need to stay fit! Winters were spent detailing, cleaning and taking extra-special care of our regulars and the travelers passing through. One winter I enjoyed creating a training manual for new staff that answered many of the questions that new servers are asked daily: What is the elevation here? When is the quilt show? How far to Eugene? Do you know a good real estate agent in town?

I'm the person I am today in part because of the "Johns" - John Keenan (bar and servers) and John Tehan (kitchen and menu). Keenan is a brilliant guy who is loyal to his teams, family, golf, Mac, friends and was an above-par boss. Years later, as a newly divorced single mom of a toddler, it was John that helped me understand that to file bankruptcy for an $80,000 debt that was not mine was better than making $800 payments to save "my name" until my son was 15 years old.

We cried together with fallen servers, Debbie Thompson and Ian Ferguson. We celebrated with each other, including my wedding to Dude (Budweiser) in 2000, and the birth of my daughter Josie (Gatorade) a couple years later, along with several other server baby showers and babies!

On of my most cherished stories was when I drew the coveted permit to raft the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.

You see, Dude being a rafter, had 16 of his closest friends apply for this float.

I (Dude's new girlfriend) was the ONLY ONE who drew this permit.

If Becky didn't go, ain't no one goin.' Bad news: It was OVER QUILT SHOW, busiest day of the year for the restaurant.

Egads! I went to my boss.

Keenan looked at me, ran his fingers through his hair and asked me if I was crazy to want the day off.

It was a "no." I needed the job and hoped Dude would understand, and there would be other permits to draw down the road.

Several days later, Keenan came to me and said, "I've applied for that same permit for 11 years and have never drawn one.

I'll let you go, BUT do not breathe a word to anyone.

I will have your name on the schedule as usual and just have a great time for me." I didn't say a thing and had the time of my life with my now-husband of almost 15 years.

I prided myself in only breaking two dishes in my decade-plus employment there. My most dreaded moment was when a wine glass flew across an ice chip on my server tray and as I snatched it red wine streaked across Janet Storton's Christmas blouse. She was on her way to a Christmas party. I was horrified. She was so incredibly gracious and mentioned that she had another outfit in the car and slipped out. I was left standing there holding a now-empty wine glass. Peter just smiled and went on to order. The other was a high-roller from China wanting our famous ribs and baked beans. This is the only table that I remember Keenan telling me to "Make it the best experience you can for these folks."

Famous last words.

As I took two full dinner plates off my three-foot tray the customer adjusted their chair and the remaining two dinner plates catapulted into the air like they were spring-loaded - I could only catch one. Dish number two shattered and the beans ended up going back to China on his linen shirt. I was mortified. Thankfully, I don't know Chinese but they were very polite about it and Keenan was the first one there helping me clean it up and making it right with our guests.

In all, I so cherished my employment there and great people I've met along the way. I'm thankful for the examples that the Johns gave me of how to treat employees and co-workers. They also taught me that it is OK to disagree - agreeably - and I've practiced that, too.

Cheers to you prior co-workers that are still working there after 20-plus years. There is a reason that employees leave, and more reasons as to why they stay. As for me, I eventually went back to get my teaching license and currently work at the middle school. I often see my prior customers (I won't list YOUR drinks here) and am fortunate to be able to teach their kids and grandkids now.

As for the newest owners of Bronco Billy's, you've purchased more than a business, you've purchased a gem, priceless.

Thank you John, JT, and the Reed family for all that you've done to keep Sisters strong. Your generosity has not gone unnoticed in our community.