Sisters salutes...

• City planner Laura Lehman wrote:

"The City of Sisters staff would like to recognize the donors for Arbor Day this year. Without them, our Arbor Day tree planting (this year part of the Oregon 150 celebration) wouldn't be possible. This year we received generous donations from Sisters Landscape Co., C&C Nursery, and Oregon Landscape Supply Co. Thanks to our donors for their support!

"The winners of the Citizen Forester award were Chad and Cathy Stadeli of C&C Nursery, who have donated at least one tree to the city for Arbor Day every year that we have celebrated Arbor Day. The Tree of the Year is a majestic ponderosa pine located in Creekside Park which was nominated by Eva, Nate, and Grace Brady. A marker will be placed near the Tree of the Year soon."

• Jade Schneringer wrote:

"I would like to express a heartfelt thank you to all of you who extended your concern and your energy in helping my heirloom brass bed return to me.

"Thank you Jim Wysong and Lorry Williams of the Sisters School District who encouraged me to ask for help. Thank you Jim Cornelius and The Nugget Newspaper for publishing my plea.

"This experience has been another delightful reminder that Sisters is indeed a special community and I feel very lucky to be part of you all."

• The Aspen Lakes community will be honored for achieving one of the nation's highest levels of safety protection, due to efforts by its residents and developer. On Sunday, May 3 at 3 p.m. in the Aspen Lakes Lodge, federal, state and local agencies will award the homeowners association the national "Firewise Communities/USA" honor. Aspen Lakes will become one of only four communities in Oregon to have achieved this honor for its high level of safety.