Sisters salutes...

• Family, friends and students surprised Col. John Miller (U.S. Air Force, Ret.) of Sisters with a retirement party at Bend Airport's Airport Café last Thursday.

Col. Miller is the founder and director of the aviation program at Central Oregon Community College and a key figure in the development of the aviation community in the region. He is retiring at the end of this school year after a long career in aviation.

Col. Miller lives in Sisters with his wife Kathy. He has been the keynote speaker at the Sisters High School Veterans Day observances and was master of ceremonies at this year's Village Green Memorial Day remembrance.

• Cadet Kevin Sampson, son of Bill and Nancy Sampson of Sisters, has completed his plebe (freshman) academic year at West Point. He will report to Air Assault School at Camp Smith, NY and Cadet Field Training at Camp Buckner, NY.

Sampson graduated from Sisters High School in 2010. He plans to graduate from West Point in 2015 and be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Sampson graduated from SHS with academic honors, was a varsity swimmer and captain of the lacrosse team.

• Sisters Kiwanis wishes to thank everyone who helped make the inaugural antique and collectibles sale a huge success. The money raised through the sale of donated items to the eager shoppers who turned out to support the event will be returned to the community to serve the needs of many.

• Parents and volunteers note that Shannon Pollard is to be commended for her tireless efforts in organizing and pulling off a successful Sisters Elementary School Garden Club Fair for the ninth year in a row. Every community should be so lucky as to have a dedicated person like Shannon enriching the lives of our children.