The chapter has now provided 26 affordable homes in the Sisters area.

"This is an incredible showing for any community, said Bruce Peterson, regional director representing 13 western states. "For the people of this town to provide 26 houses is outstanding, just remarkable, he said.

Peterson was leaving from Sisters to fly to Orange County, California, where he planned to officiate at the dedication of that chapter's 100th house on Monday morning -- the 1,000th Habitat house in California.

"I am really impressed with what you all have done here. They're about to dedicate their 100th house and you've got over a quarter of that number with a small fraction of the population.

He said that throughout his district, which is approximately one-half the total size of the entire United States, acquiring property is their number one priority.

"No matter where I go in these smaller communities, Jackson Hole, Aspen, Sisters, it is the same thing: not enough ground available to build a low-cost house at a price Habitat can afford, he said. "You can get volunteers to build the house, but volunteers can't provide the land.

He said that it would be a "wonderful thing if individuals would come forth and deed or donate to Habitat property individually or corporately owned for additional houses.

Carolyn Gabrielson, chairperson of the local chapter, echoed that statement, asking for help in finding property where Sisters Habitat can build more houses.

Representing the State of Oregon at the multiple dedication ceremony was Bob Repine, director of housing for Oregon. Through general revenue bonds, his office accrued sufficient funds to underwrite and assume homeowner mortgages so that local Habitat and other programs can use those mortgage funds for additional new projects.

"These really are zero- interest loans that we acquire, he said. "The same as the new mortgage the homeowner has with the local Habitat office. The owner pays this mortgage back over 30 years and by assuming the local Habitat share, that frees up equity to build more houses.

The Department of Housing also advances up to $5,000 cash for each Habitat house before mortgage payments commence to cover early out-of-pocket needs such as filing fees, building permits and other pre-construction costs.

Peterson pointed out that in addition to the 26 houses "on ground here, Sisters Habitat, through their own volunteer tithing to the international organization, has made it possible for approximately 60 additional homes to be built at lesser costs overseas.

"In fact, he said, "Molly and Gale Larson, of Sisters, are about to lead a group to Costa Rica to build one or more Habitat Houses there in the name of the Sisters Chapter. That means the local Sisters affiliate can claim about 86 houses overall. An impressive record, Peterson said.

Gabrielson gave credit for the "visionary work of Julia and Hort Hammond of Sisters for the start of Habitat in the community. She introduced the volunteer members of the Habitat board who were present among the nearly two hundred people who came out on a cold, blustery afternoon to share in the joy of this dedication.

Terri Gallegly is vice-chairman; Jeff Reents, secretary and Nora Ellison, treasurer. Volunteer board members include Anne Kuzminski, Joe Holder, Roger Bulger, Bob Harris, Rochelle Johnson, Ruth Peterson, Mike Mansker, Ron Gregg and Mike Herold.

The six houses dedicated this day were three on St. Helens Street, owned by Carole Goodman, Linn Watson and Lupe Chamberlain. Two were on Tamarack Drive owned by the Roberts family and the Park family. And one house was on Cowboy Street owned by Irene Cartwright and her daughter Nina.

A blessing on each house was given by a selection of area ministers.

Among them were Joe Ekstine and Levi Johnson from the Church of the Nazarene; Roger Hall with Christ's Church of New Beginnings; and Karly Lusby.