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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (July 19, 2017)
28 Wednesday, July 19, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Volunteers say good-bye to Sisters From the moment they moved to Sisters 10 years ago, Marvin and Trine Benson have been avid com- munity volunteers. They originally moved from Colorado to be near their son Benny, daughter-in-law Julie, and granddaughter Cammi Benson, and quickly became entrenched in a variety of community activities. It’s the many people they’ve touched who will miss them most, as they are moving from Sisters on July 26. When Benny and Julie purchased the Sisters Airport, Marvin and Trine moved into the house located on the prop- erty, and took over caretaker duties. This was a gigantic undertaking as the property had been generally ignored and fallen into disrepair for many years. They started at the front lawn with the new airport sign and worked their way down to what is now a first rate fly-in campground. Trine assumed the secu- rity and maintenance at the airport. Out-of-town pilots get a friendly greeting and assistance on what to do in Sisters. All the employees located at the airport knew the next morning if they had left a door unlocked or left food out for unwanted crit- ters by the infamous sticky “Note!” left for them from Trine. During the holiday season, never was an office left undecorated. When the Sisters Community Garden needed a new home, Marvin offered to help relocate the Garden to the airport property. From a blank piece of land, a unique community asset was created for locals of all ages to share their green thumbs. Today the Community Garden hosts over 50 plots, and grows over 1,000 pounds of vegetables, of which half is donated to the food bank. “ M a r v i n a n d Tr i n e embody the characteristics so necessary for gardening in Central Oregon: a tireless persistence, unbounded inge- nuity, and an unflappable sense of humor. It has been a gift to work with them as this plot of dirt and rocks was transformed into a food bas- ket for the community. They have planted many seeds in this place, and in our hearts, and we will miss them,” said Ruthie Douglass, garden patron. Marvin cleared out a dilapidated hangar and cre- ated a wood shop for his intarsia artwork, along with a place to share his craft with others. With a love for teach- ing kids, many 4H cham- pionship wood art projects were created with his men- torship. Marvin also works with Josh Nordell to bring the special needs kids from the middle and high schools Serving Sisters Since 1994 D ESIGNERS & B UILDERS of D ISTINCTION 541-549-1575 CCB#194489 over to Marvin’s wood shop and the garden at the airport. He helps them create Intarsia wood art, and learn garden- ing skills. Marvin has volunteered in the Sisters High School wood shop for many years, teaching students a variety of wood working skills. “The first day Marvin came in, I told him we needed a lot of help in the classes, teaching students to work with tools. He said he would think about it. The next day he showed up, ready to help, and he hasn’t missed a day since. I am really going to miss him!” says Tony Cosby, SHS wood shop teacher. Besides being the airport caretaker, Trine is also very active in the community. She volunteers at Habitat for Humanity, helping sort donated goods at ReStore in Sisters. Trine also turned the downstairs of the house into a quilting studio and integrated herself into the Sisters quilt- ing community, volunteering at events, and contributing her skills to group projects. The early morning crowd at the Sisters Athletic Club recognizes Marvin as a daily swimmer. His granddaughter Cammi, a 2016 SHS gradu- ate, recalls “When we would go to SHS football games, PHOTO PROVIDED Marvin and Trine Benson have been active volunteers in Sisters. Grampa (Marvin) knew more people in the stands than I did!” There will be a farewell party for Marvin and Trine at the Benson’s hangar at the Sisters Airport next Sunday, July 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. Food and live music by “The Noteables” band will be provided. All who’ve been touched by Marvin and Trine’s contribution to the community are invited. PARK IT IN STYLE! Bike racks... we’ve got ’em! 541-549-9280 • Sisters Industrial Park www.PonderosaForge.com | CCB# 87640 HOWELLS REALTY GROUP Phil Arends 541-420-9997 phil@blackbutte.com PEAK PROPERTIES team Black Butte Ranch, Sisters Area and Central Oregon www.realestateinsisters.com | — SISTERS — Situated on a corner lot in Squaw Creek Canyon Estates. Almost 1 acre, fully fenced, landscaped and irrigated, huge green house, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, living room, family room, dining, river-rock fi replace with insert, pellet stove, heat pump, wrap-around covered porch, set up for a hot tub. Large 2-car garage with shop area. $460,000. MLS#201704257 Dick Howells 541-408-6818 rahowells@blackbutte.com 220 S. Ash St., Sisters — BLACK BUTTE RANCH— Situated on the 15th green of Big Meadow, at the end of a quiet, private cul-de-sac, this home has it all! 5 bedrooms (3 masters),4.5 baths, great- room, with stone fi replace (insert),large updated kitchen open to the dining and greatroom, utility, triple car garage, large synthetic deck to enjoy the setting and all that Black Butte has to offer. $935,000. MLS#201705591
