MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Posted by Sherry Fulton
on May 21, 2016
I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people.—Maya Angelou
Dear CAL Friends,
To those of you who were at the Grant presentation last Wednesday, my wish for you is that you can carry the full heart with which we all left the meeting for a long time to come. I know that it was said many times on Wednesday, but thank you for your selfless donations of time and energy in support of the other people and agencies who make Sandpoint a loving and supportive place to live for those in need. I remember motorcycling through this town on the way to Banff with my husband in 1990 and thinking what a charming brick and mortar town it was in a spectacular setting. Little did I know that the human hearts that lived here were even more amazing. We wouldn’t move here until 2002, but it became home very quickly. I am so proud of the community that I call home.
This weekend many of us will be downtown supporting “Back to the 50’s.” It was the brainchild of Carolyn Gleason many years ago. It is a great example of what one person with an idea and commitment can do. This event has become part of the fabric of Sandpoint and, like the Festival, helps delineate the specialness our town. When I looked at the representatives of the organizations to which we gave grants they were 80% women. There is a saying by Bette Davis, "If you want something done right...get an old broad to do it." Well, I don’t think you have to be an “old broad,” but women are special--empathetic and energetic.
Boy, was I surprised at the end of the business part of the meeting when Lin Otey came up to the podium toting a 30# rock. Then I realized they were giving me a gift at the end of my presidency, and what a wonderful gift it is! I will have a beautiful tree planted in my garden that will remind me everyday of CAL and the privilege it was to have been the President. Thank you all for giving me the opportunity. I still have a month to go, but it was better to plant a tree early in the summer so the board decided to give it to me early. I will be talking about my wonderful board in other e.bulletins before my final note to you all.
I am currently dog-sitting two golden retrievers for my friend in Spokane. She and her husband take Cooper whenever I am leaving town so it works out beautifully for both of us. This is the first time I have had their new rescue, Timber. He is a two year old with a severe case of ADHD. The only time he isn’t in my face is when I am asleep. (Even Timber knows not to wake a sleeping bear). My usually clean and tidy house is a mess. There are fur-bunnies skittering across the floor, thousands of paw prints on the hardwood, nose-art on the windows, and the laundry room where the water bowls are, is a swamp because both Timber and his calm brother Cedar walk away from their bowl with water cascading out of the sides of their muzzles. I am getting lots of practice in not sweating the small stuff.
Have a happy weekend. Be sure to notice the Rhododendrons. They are spectacular this week.
P.S. The Pictures from the April Spring Luncheon are on the Website (in the "Member Photo Albums" folder) and will be accessible from this week's E-bulletin.
Love,
Sherry
To those of you who were at the Grant presentation last Wednesday, my wish for you is that you can carry the full heart with which we all left the meeting for a long time to come. I know that it was said many times on Wednesday, but thank you for your selfless donations of time and energy in support of the other people and agencies who make Sandpoint a loving and supportive place to live for those in need. I remember motorcycling through this town on the way to Banff with my husband in 1990 and thinking what a charming brick and mortar town it was in a spectacular setting. Little did I know that the human hearts that lived here were even more amazing. We wouldn’t move here until 2002, but it became home very quickly. I am so proud of the community that I call home.
This weekend many of us will be downtown supporting “Back to the 50’s.” It was the brainchild of Carolyn Gleason many years ago. It is a great example of what one person with an idea and commitment can do. This event has become part of the fabric of Sandpoint and, like the Festival, helps delineate the specialness our town. When I looked at the representatives of the organizations to which we gave grants they were 80% women. There is a saying by Bette Davis, "If you want something done right...get an old broad to do it." Well, I don’t think you have to be an “old broad,” but women are special--empathetic and energetic.
Boy, was I surprised at the end of the business part of the meeting when Lin Otey came up to the podium toting a 30# rock. Then I realized they were giving me a gift at the end of my presidency, and what a wonderful gift it is! I will have a beautiful tree planted in my garden that will remind me everyday of CAL and the privilege it was to have been the President. Thank you all for giving me the opportunity. I still have a month to go, but it was better to plant a tree early in the summer so the board decided to give it to me early. I will be talking about my wonderful board in other e.bulletins before my final note to you all.
I am currently dog-sitting two golden retrievers for my friend in Spokane. She and her husband take Cooper whenever I am leaving town so it works out beautifully for both of us. This is the first time I have had their new rescue, Timber. He is a two year old with a severe case of ADHD. The only time he isn’t in my face is when I am asleep. (Even Timber knows not to wake a sleeping bear). My usually clean and tidy house is a mess. There are fur-bunnies skittering across the floor, thousands of paw prints on the hardwood, nose-art on the windows, and the laundry room where the water bowls are, is a swamp because both Timber and his calm brother Cedar walk away from their bowl with water cascading out of the sides of their muzzles. I am getting lots of practice in not sweating the small stuff.
Have a happy weekend. Be sure to notice the Rhododendrons. They are spectacular this week.
P.S. The Pictures from the April Spring Luncheon are on the Website (in the "Member Photo Albums" folder) and will be accessible from this week's E-bulletin.
Love,
Sherry