MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Thank you to all of you who attended the meeting on February 18 and just went with the flow with such great humor. I could not believe there was such a comic disconnect between what was supposed to happen and what was happening. I apologize once again that the video of the Christmas skit couldn’t be shown. In January we had no computer, in February we had two computers but no sound. I felt just like I did in the dark ages when I would try to show a film in class on one of those old projectors only to see the film get stuck and start to melt on the bulb. The video “no-go” was followed by the Pledge Allegiance with no flag. Then we had to ask our February birthday members to acknowledge themselves. All this in the first 10 minutes of the meeting. I really wanted a “do-over.”

The year is moving along so quickly and it feels even more so with no snow. Friday started out so warm and bright that I felt compelled to find things to do in the yard. Of course, within minutes of being outside the sky turned black and it started to hail. “If you don’t like the weather in North Idaho, just wait a minute.”

When Diane Arrants reported that grant applications would be available in 10 days, I really felt time racing by. Having been the grant chairman last year, I know that process fills your thoughts and days from March until May. Val Albi and her scholarship committee are ready to start receiving their applications also. More details on Grants and Scholarships are available in the bulletin. When you are working at Bizarre Bazaar in March be aware that you will be getting requests for applications, and you will also be handed completed applications. Both of our chairs would appreciate if you make sure they go to the correct folder. Thank you so much.

Diane Arrants informed us at the meeting that there is a way for CAL to make some extra money. If individuals sign up for the Amazon Smile program, Amazon will send a percentage of what you spend at Amazon to the organization you designate. But of course, we would appreciate if you would choose Community Assistance League, Inc. of Sandpoint. Margareta Larson provided the website address to make things easy: https://smile.amazon.com and Karen Hanna has added it to our “Links" section of our website so you don’t have to remember (calsandpoint.org).

Please mark your calendars to vote on March 10 for the Pend O’Reille School District Levy. Because it is for a school levy, some the polling places have been changed. The polling locations are available from the Bonner County Clerk’s Office at 208-255-3631 or at their website: http://bonnercounty.us/elections/.

Sunday afternoon is the Academy Awards. Joyce Spiller declared that we must see all the nominees before the ceremony. She, Cindy, and I have seen more than a movie a week lately. I love movies, but I am ready to slow this pace now. My favorites this year were “Imitation Game” and “The Theory of Everything,” but according to the predictions, neither will get best picture. Good luck to all the nominees!

Happy trails, my friends,

Sherry