News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
The Ortega family turned their house into a home last week.
"This is where we turn a house into a home, which makes it very special."
So said Nan Daschel of Sisters Habitat for Humanity as she kicked off the dedication of the new home of the Ortega family of Sisters last Wednesday.
The Ortegas - Abel, Fermina, Anayancin, Jenifer and Zenas - are the 55th family to purchase a home as a partner of the Sisters chapter of the international homebuilding organization.
The Oretega's home, where Main Avenue meets Locust Street, has a unique history, as described by Habitat Executive Director Sharlene Weed. It was originally built in the 1970s in Deschutes River Ranch near Tumalo, and was moved to Sisters in 2002 and refurbished for a habitat home. When the Orlandos family moved on, they had $30,000 in equity from the home. The house was then refurbished again by Habitat volunteers led by construction manager Shawn O'Hern, and prepared for the Ortega family.
"This is a very well-used, well-loved, recycled ... house," Weed said. "It's a very win-win-win situation."
Family partner Rick Slavkovsky presented the Ortega family with the traditional Bible as a house-warming gift, offering a kind word for each member of the family. Co-family partner Margaret Doke offered symbolic gifts of bread (plenty); a candle (St. Joseph, patron saint of home and family); honey (sweetness of life); wine (joy); and coins (good fortune).
"It's been a pleasure working with you, and I wish you many happy years in your new home," she said.
The Ortegas were also presented with an afghan hand-knitted by Habitat cabinet builder Ed Peterson of Gates.
Father Jude Onogbosele blessed the house, and then the Ortegas gathered on the porch for the symbolic ribbon-cutting for their new home.
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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