Longtime locals find a new home

When Mary Gray first moved to Sisters nearly 30 years ago with her two boys, she lived off of Brooks Camp Road in the logging cabins owned by Brooks-Scanlon Lumber. Last week, she and her husband, Bear, returned to the Brooks Camp Road area to break ground at their future Sisters Habitat home site. This time, however, the home they will move into will be their own, which they will purchase through the Sisters Habitat homeownership program.

The Grays are well-known in the community, and that was evident from the many folks who came out for the celebration. "Bear and Mary are very community-minded and active," Marsha Lewis told the crowd. Lewis and Gayla Nelson are family partners with Bear and Mary. Family partners are Habitat volunteers who are paired with future homebuyers to help navigate the homebuyer process.

"It was divine intervention that we were paired with them. They are huggers, and Gayla and I are huggers, too," Lewis said.

With fresh snow on the ground, Nelson thought it appropriate to give the couple a snow shovel. Mary started shoveling and even found dirt. With laughter, smiles and some teasing from Bear to toss some snow to the onlookers, they were handed the golden digging shovel while the crowd applauded.

"When the studs are up, I'd like everyone to come and write their name, the date and a prayer on the stud," Bear told the crowd.

The group finished the celebration with hugs for Bear and Mary, and coffee and treats being served in Clara Eberius' garage. Eberius, a recent Habitat homeowner, was the one who encouraged Bear and Mary to apply for the Habitat program. As it turns out, the Gray's future home is right next door to her new house.

Anyone interested in the homeownership or home repair program can find a guideline brochure at http://www.sistershabitat.org/housing-programs. Those interested in volunteering with Sisters Habitat can sign up to attend a volunteer orientation workshop the first or third Wednesday of each month at noon at the Habitat office, 141 W. Main Ave. To sign up please call 541-549-1193.