Marilyn and Herb Sorensen will celebrate 40 years of "Corbett living" next month. When Herb was relocated to Portland from Colorado, there were three young kids and a 6 week old baby to bring along. The Sorensen's rented a farmhouse on Loudon Road (that I sold last month!) and went on to have a fifth child. Herb was a chemist and Marilyn not only raised the babies but helped out Herb as well when he decided to go "solo" and start his own business. The chicken coop (still there) on the Loudon property served as his lab! When employees were hired, they moved the business into the basement of the home, then the barn. The next move was to Pepper Mountain, just two miles down Brower Road. Living in a travel trailer (all seven)before Herb built their home, Marilyn recalls many fun memories. Playing in the snow, sledding and neighbors taking care of each other when the weather snowed them in. They also hiked often on Larch Mountain while raising the five kids. All of the Sorensen children were active, but Marilyn recalls son James as being extremely "gung ho" for anything Corbett. Jeff Lucas was the best friend of James, and it was James and Randy Lee that had the dream of the Corbett stadium to be built in Jeff's honor after he was killed fighting for our country. Just this year on Sept. 4th, the stadium was dedicated. Since 1994 Marilyn and Herb have lived on Northway Road in a home they have grown to love, with its barn, creek and beautiful acreage. For nearly twenty years Marilyn has been a part of a women's bible study that meets in her living room each week. Over the years the home has been remodeled and made a place where all the grand kids gather and create memories. Marilyn has been the "strength behind the scenes" as Herb and the kids have lived active, busy lives, leaving many permanent marks on our community that will be appreciated for years to come.
