Hoedown draws record turnout

Hundreds of guests showed up for a record turnout for the 2nd annual Sisters Rotary Hoedown. Folks dressed their Western best for the family-friendly event to enjoy live country-western entertainment by Dry Canyon Stampede, great food, a silent auction, live auction, and a raffle draw on Saturday evening.

A vast indoor horse arena, located on Cloverdale Road, was donated for the evening by Julie and Vito Bartolotta.

Hal Darcy, Rotarian and coordinator for the event, has been Sisters Rotary's fundraising chairman for three years.

"Last year we had 375 people and it looks like this year we are sold out at over 500," Darcy said. "We tried to keep the same format from the feedback that we received last year. But we tightened up our schedule and the program. Our goal was to do better at everything."

The event was a bulk fundraiser for the four nonprofit organizations that were invited to partner with Sisters Rotary for the event. They were Seed to Table, Harmony Farm Sanctuary, Circle of Friends, and Sisters High School Flight Science Program. Each nonprofit had an information table and a color-coded silent auction table with items donated from artists and businesses around Sisters.

Former Circle of Friends executive director Debbie Newport was on hand with new Executive Director Nicky Merritt.

"We don't have the capacity to put on an event like this," Newport told The Nugget. "And when Rotary called us and invited us it was a wonderful surprise and an incredible partnership opportunity."

Hoyts Hardware & Building Supply donated a flatbed truck that was used as a stage for the country-western band Dry Canyon Stampede.

The band got off to an early start when the very first little cowgirls made their way to the dance floor. Two-year-old Mai and her sister, 5-year-old Aila, did their own version of the two-step with mom Kari, while dad Sam Monte cheered them on from the table.

Sam Monte is the flight instructor for Outlaw Aviation at the Sisters Airport, and is a graduate of the COCC Aviation Department.

"The students from the SHS Flight Science class that are really interested in flying come directly to us at the Sisters Eagle Airport for instruction," Monte told The Nugget.

Sheryl Yeager, a certified flight instructor who teaches the Flight Science class at SHS was helping some of her students at the desert table. The 10 students shared the responsibility of manning the Flight Science program table and selling desserts made by Sisters Bakery.

"I am doing everything I can to get these kids their private pilot's license before they graduate high school," Yeager said. "It's expensive for the students to get flight time and we're so grateful to have been invited here. We do as much fundraising as we can, and I like to see them work for it."

Hungry guests lined up for burgers, hot dogs, salads made by Seed to Table, and desserts, while others bid on auction items and entered the beer and wine raffle.

Harmony Farm Sanctuary brought along the entire family, including a few of the furry and feathered kind.

"We are very grateful that Rotary asked us to be part of the Hoedown this year. The animals that we have brought with us are representatives from our farm," said 12-year-old Marieke Jeffrey, daughter of Robine Bots, founder of the nonprofit.

Just after 7 p.m. Rotarian Hal Darcy took the stage and introduced the four nonprofits that partnered with Sisters Rotary. Each organization had one live auction item up for purchase by any of the guests who wanted to bid.

Circle of Friends Executive Director Nicky Merritt introduced herself and educated the guests about the organization.

"We work with great mentors and we match them up with kids in our community that need exposure to new opportunities that can help them spark a passion in their life."

The acting auctioneer for Circle of Friends was Jack McGowan, a longtime supporter of the nonprofit.

"We've got amazing nonprofits here tonight that need your help. I'm representing Circle of Friends. Circle of Friends is not a regular nonprofit, we have mentors that dedicate up to 12 years of their life to mentor young people to get them on the right path to citizenship, responsibility to their community, respect for one another which is needed in today's world."

McGowan also quoted Tom McCall, a former Oregon Governor.

"Heroes are not giant statues framed against a red sky. They are people who say this is my community and it's my responsibility to make it better."

Robine Bots represented Harmony Farm Sanctuary as the founder and director.

"HFS started in 2014, and our mission is twofold," she said. "We are a rescue and rehabilitation center for abused and neglected and unwanted farm animals, and secondly we strive to build community by inviting people of all ages, especially those with special needs or difficult life circumstances, to come visit the animals, volunteer their efforts or participate in our mindfulness-based programs."