Posted by Beth Drain

FRIENDSHIP, FELLOWSHIP & COMMUNITY

   
 
 
Dear Members,
 
As I was driving through Montana, Utah, and Nevada last week, I saw many beautiful vistas and wildlife, but nothing that could rival Idaho. It was a very peaceful drive until we hit Las Vegas, its awful traffic, desert all the way through to Southern California with its even worse traffic and house on top of house obliterating all the beauty that was once California. We are definitely privileged to live in such a wonderful place and to share it with the people who live here, native or immigrant. I am so blessed to have met all of you members and volunteers who share your time and talent in so many different ways to make a difference in our community. Thank you.
 
Looking forward to beginning my term as President of Community Assistance League (CAL), I will be looking for your advice and ideas as we chart our course for the next two years. I know that there are uncertainties facing us, not only the economy and inflation, but where we will be and how we will get there. Please feel free to engage with me and the Board so that all views and ideas can be shared with the membership at large to help inform whatever decisions we have to make as we go along.
 
The Blankie Project continues under Mary Sturgis’ able hands. We can always use more loving hands to knit, crochet, and sew for the next generation of Sandpoint.
 
           
 
The Healing Garden is ramping up for the summer season, starting with the spring cleanup, and then moving into the Open House on Saturday, May 28th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please find time in your schedule that day to drop by and spend time at the Garden. There will be artists on site as well as handmade and painted yard art, the sale which was a great success last year. Thanks to Helen Tapp for spearheading CAL’s participation in this project. Please contact Helen Tapp for more information.
 
Here’s a small sample of the art that will be for sale:
    
 
I’m also anxious to hear from anyone who has an interest in serving as chair of one of our standing committees. Not all positions are open, but we are finding ourselves in need of expanding participation in several of the committees. Please let us know where your interests lie so that we can find the place that most suits your interest. Keep in mind that our mission and purpose is to serve our community through education, service, and philanthropy. All of this requires “research, discussion, planning, program development, fundraising, and service”. So let’s put our heads together and come up with ideas that blend the old with the new as we serve our wonderful community. Let’s also fit some fun into the mix. We deserve it, and as I’ve said so many times, “it’s a poor dog won’t wag his own tail”. It’s okay to pat ourselves on the back for a job well done.
 
Thanks for reading my meanderings. I look forward to seeing everyone at the "Celebration of Giving” on June 20th.
 
Beth Drain
Vice-President

drabe@hotmail.com
208-920-3543