MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear CAL members,

It is the month of the Irish with their leprechauns, banshees, and blarney, to which I will add a bit of me own. I must say that I am especially thankful for the weather these days. I am dog-sitting my friend’s two dogs. This was arranged weeks ago and I was dreading having 12 paws to wipe in what is normally high mud season. So far this is no problem at all. They are a funny looking little pack, I must say. We have a taller than average Golden Retriever, my medium-size Cooper the doodle, and a Shih Tzu that looks like an over-inflated football at age 13. I’m under 24-hour surveillance lest I jump out a window and leave them to starve.

Karen Wallis, our publicity chair told me a few weeks ago that she really needed to be released from her duties soon as she and her husband have decided to build a house, further complicating a busy life as a hospital chaplain, mom, school bus driver, and who knows what else. Marilyn Haddad had miraculously indicated an interest in publicity when the survey cards were passed out a few weeks ago. Voila, we have a new publicity chair beginning in June. I am so grateful to Karen and Marilyn. While thinking about the Wallis’s I also wanted to thank Josh Wallis who has been coming into Biz Baz on Thursday of the 4^th week to help with markdowns and resetting the floor. You have no idea how much this old lady appreciates having a strong young man on hand to yank those racks full of clothes around and carry fixtures in and out of the shed.

Patty Bowman has overseen the development of a something new for the front of the store. I won’t tell you more than that, but it is green in more ways than one.

I want to talk to you about something that other members have brought to my attention. Mary Sturgis has brought us some great programs this year. Every one of them has been interesting and presented by people passionate about their subject. These presenters do this for free, just because the Community Assistance League invited them, and they are often speaking to a half empty auditorium. I realize a few of you have other commitments, and I am so grateful that you attend the business part of the meeting. But if you have the option, consider staying on for the program. It is not only gratifying to the speaker, but I think you will usually find it enjoyable and edifying. Thank you! At the next general meeting on March 18, Sally Transue, Marilyn Pagano, and Pat Lewis will regale us with the fun and foibles of “CAL: THE EARLY YEARS!”

Bizarre Bazaar is doing fabulously. We did $2,000 more in February than we did in 2014. I had a reason to drop into a competitive thrift store this week. You really should do that from time to time. You will be transmuckified by what a world apart BB is in the world of thrift. You ladies are so talented!

By the way, March 21 is the Bonner County “Tour d’Thrift.” We have participated in this event for 3 years and it is always a big day. If you can set aside a couple of hours that Saturday, please come in to help.

I’m so proud of this organization.
Yours, Sherry