MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear CAL Friends,

The above quote reminded me of the presentation by Lindy Lewis on their program, “Underground Kindness”. It has been fourteen years since I was in the classroom, but I know that the pressure on our children has escalated. That pressure has to escape, and it can do so in ways that are negative to their well-being. I loved that Underground Kindness goes into existing classrooms and teaches our children positive ways to manage stress, interact with the peers, and know that they have some control of their feelings and actions. Secondarily, that has to have a positive effect on their ability to learn. Thanks to Lindy and her team.

I went to the Bonner County Historical Museum last night. This was the start of a new program called “Late Night at the Museum”. They will be putting on a themed presentation each month in the evening. For this, their first, was “A Night with Nell Shipman”. We had time to tour the museum, eat some hearty stacks, hear an informational talk on Nell’s life at Priest Lake in the 1920’s, and see her silent film, “Back to God’s Country”. I saw lots of CAL members at this packed program. I hope the coming programs are as successful. Kudos to the museum.

As is my habit, I sneak into the store late on the Wednesday afternoon of the 4^th week to begin the process of packing up the old sale items, and marking down the next tag color of our rotation. While I was there I was struck by how much we need some gift and housewares and a couple of pieces of furniture to fill out the store and bolster sales. Keep that in mind. I want to thank Marilyn Haddad who is the team leader that afternoon. She always helps get things underway and offers to stay as long as needed. I try to shoo her home, but I really appreciate her willingness. I was joined later by Joyce and Cindy so that the three of us could head over to the Pend d’Oreille Winery to support the fund-raiser that was going on their for “Relay for Life”. I’m always happy to support any cause that involves wine.

It’s seems like it has been a really busy couple of weeks since I last wrote to you, particularly this week past. I’ve been out so much that I haven’t had time to enjoy the new recliner and rug I bought for my office. I had visions of tucking into the office, leaning back, and reading a book. Didn’t happen! I’m going to show up at the CAL Book Exchange Monday morning with only two books to share. One that I would recommend is “Orhan’s Inheritance” by Aline Ohanesian. It is a great story, but also an education on the Armenian Holocaust in World War I. I was hooked from the first line, “The found him inside one of the seventeen caldrons in the courtyard, steeping in an indigo dye two shades darker than the summer sky. His arms and chin were propped over the copper edge, but the rest of Kemal Turkoglu, age ninety-three, had turned a pretty shade of blue”. The rest of the book is the journey of Kemal’s grandson to discover the true history of his family.

That’s all for now, my friends. Thanks for all of your acts of kindness.

Sherry