Women celebrate "sisterhood"
By Shawn Strannigan

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Ladies from all around the country gathered in Sisters last weekend to celebrate the bond of sisterhood.

Sponsored by the Central Oregon Visitors Association, this year's event drew about 220 women, some from states as far away as New York and Alaska.

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ÒThe Sisters in Sisters idea came from a brainstorming session by the retail committee of the Chamber of Commerce," said Mardyth Peterson, a volunteer worker at the Sisters event Ñ and former chamber manager. ÒWe started working on the project in '96, and the first Sisters in Sisters celebration was held two years later."

Not just for sisters, the three day event promised a Òweekend of foot- stomping fun and special memories" for all women.

ÒLast year we had a whole Girl Scout troop reunite here during the Sisters weekend," said Peterson. ÒThis is a time for mothers, daughters, cousins, old friends Ñ as well as sistersÑ to come and have fun together."

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The event kicked off Friday night with a welcome dinner, fashion show, and keynote address by inspirational speaker Mary Manin Morrissey.

Saturday offered lectures, workshops, and hikes throughout the day, with wine and cheese tasting in the afternoon.

Dinner was followed by the Silly Sisters Contest plus Line Dancing with DJ Dave Wilkins.

On Sunday, the women were treated to a luncheon and closing address by humorist and author Sue Kirby.

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One of the workshops was a pine needle basketry class taught by local artist Jean Stark.

About 30 women had opted for this class and were working on making pine needle frames.

ÒIf this turns out," said Leota Kuzma, ÒI'll use it to frame a picture of my sister and me."

Leota came from San Jose, California to join her sister, Leart, for the weekend. Leart Jett works for the Sisters Chamber of Commerce.

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Darlene Kelm, a Sisters resident, invited all her sorority sisters from Oregon State University to join her this year. Five women were able to attend.

ÒIt's wonderful to be together again," Kelm said. ÒWe were all in the Delta Gamma House, and graduated 40 years ago."

Joyce Wienand, from Westmont, Illinois, came at the invitation of her sister Ñ who lives in San Francisco.

ÒMy sister saw the event advertised on the Internet and thought it would be a great place for us to meet up and spend some time together," she said.

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Several of the women attending remarked that, besides spending time with their sisters, one of the highlights of the weekend had been getting to meet ladies from all over the country.

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