Sisters salutes...

• Edie Jones wrote:

As the director of Together For Children, I'd like to thank our many friends in Sisters for their participation in our Historical Mystery Hunt & Auction. I was amazed at the donations and at the generous bidding that took place. It was truly a "make-it-or-break-it" fundraiser for our program, and support was desperately needed.

I especially thank Kathy Kemper-Green and Sisters' Arbor Mortgage Company for making it possible to offer a cash prize to the first-place team. The winners were elated.

I'd also like to thank Kathy Deggendorfer and the Roundhouse Foundation for their support over the years. Recently we had an Art in the Park morning, co-sponsored by Bend's Arts Central Station and the Foundation, introducing print-making and other art activities to young children. We hope to do something similar in Sisters in the near future.

Unfortunately, our ability to provide parent education and early childhood experiences in Sisters in the coming school year is in question. This is a statement difficult to write. A few weeks ago I had the wonderful fortune of attending the Sisters High School Graduation and was touched at hearing the names and seeing the first group of "toddlers" I worked with graduate. It was a thrill hard to describe listening to Molly Blust give her address to the class, realizing how many kids Together For Children has launched on their journey to this milestone.

We are hoping for a miracle. Donations from anyone who understands the importance of helping parents do their very best in their child's earliest years can be made online at http://www.together-for-children.org.

We thank everyone who has supported TFC over the past twenty years and hope to be able to continue to serve Sisters families in the future.

• The John Berray family wrote:

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful community of Sisters for their thoughts and prayers on behalf of our husband, father, grandfather and friend, John Berray.

John passed peacefully into eternity on Monday, June 29 at sunset, at his home in Sisters, surrounded by his family. We would especially like to thank the caring staff of Hospice of Redmond-Sisters, who were there supporting us and encouraging us throughout our journey.

Also, a grateful thank you to Colleen Shultz for providing meals for our large family, and thank you to Gene and Jan Kroeker and Sovereign Grace Church for providing meals and spiritual support, thank you to the "Food for Mom and Dad" ministry of New Hope Christian Center for the Ray's grocery card, and to all our friends and neighbors who have brought food and encouragement to our doorstep.

We are comforted in the knowledge that our husband, father and grandfather is in heaven having a wonderful time, in a place we believe looks a lot like Central Oregon!

Thank you and God bless you.