MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
“Habit is a vain and treacherous goddess. She lets nothing disrupt her rule. She smothers one desire after another: the desire to travel, the desire for a better job or a new love. She stops us from living as we would like, because habit prevents us from asking ourselves whether we continue to enjoy doing what we do.”
― Nina George,The Little Paris Bookshop: A Novel
Dear CAL Friends,
This week was the first board meeting of the 2015-16 year, and my last year as president. I had a great time last year and if this year is the same you my have to pry the gavel out of my hands. Luckily the by-laws are very explicit on term length. The board hasn’t seen each other all at one time for 2 months and it was quite a gabfest. Between extraneous chatter we did get some things decided and shared relevant to the coming year.
The general meeting in September is historically a long one, because everything seems to go into overdrive in the fall. I look forward to seeing you at Columbia Bank. The meeting will start at 9:30, but come early to check in with your friends and their summer. I will let my crazy, but competent board tell you the specifics of what they have planned for the near future, but let me give you a word of advice: BRING YOUR CHECKBOOK to the September 16 meeting. We will be taking sign-ups for our second annual wine-tasting event. If you don’t pay, you cannot reserve a place. Also, please give Robbie Gleason a break. Be prepared to pay your annual dues. As you might suspect, it is not fun to dog people for money. Let’s pay them at the meeting or, if you cannot attend, send her a check to P.O. Box 1361, Sandpoint, 83864.
Because we anticipate a longer meeting we have not scheduled a program after the business portion of the meeting. First thing in the meeting will be a short talk by Tom Gibson. Tom is a Vice President of D.A. Davidson. He is also the husband of Tracy Gibson, the president under whom the first Bizarre Bazaar store was opened (thank you, Tracy). I wanted him to come to talk to us about his experience with endowment funds. He is a person who deals with financial decisions everyday, but who has nothing to gain or lose over whether or not CAL decides to go ahead with opening an account with the Idaho Community Foundation. I felt he could answer any questions you might have. I would like to get a vote from the membership at this meeting instructing the board on whether to proceed. Here is the homepage for the organization if you want to read more before the meeting: http://www.idcomfdn.org.
This is also the last meeting before the “Convoy of Hope” on October 3. Our Dixie Stansell has been working hard on this extraordinary event and she needs more volunteers. No one supports CAL more than she does, and I would love to see us support her and this event to the fullest. Please call her or email for a shift of a couple of hours that day, or be prepared to sign up at the meeting. This event supports the same people that CAL does through our grants.
Charlene Matheson called me yesterday to let me know about a great event happening at the Panida Little Theater on September 24. Locally known actress and historian, Tames Alan will be presenting a program on American Women (right to vote, child labor laws, etc.) I have heard that it is going to be very entertaining. While it is sponsored by North Idaho Federated Republican Women, it is not politically partisan (no politics in the e.bulletin). Advance tickets ($12) through Charlene (713-202-1054) or Mary Jo Ambrosiani (265-4687) or at the meeting. Another reason to have your checkbook. It is a small venue so don’t doddle.
Wow, once again I thought I had little to say and just blathered on. See you soon.
Yours, Sherry
I am really enjoying a lovely little book, “The Little Paris Bookshop” by Nina George. I haven’t finished it so I probably shouldn’t recommend it, but I’m confident I won’t change my mind. It is a gentle story of love and grief and acknowledgement. Below are a few quotes.
“Do you know that there's a halfway world between each ending and each new beginning? It's called the hurting time, Jean Perdu. It's a bog; it's where your dreams and worries and forgotten plans gather. Your steps are heavier during that time. Don't underestimate the transition, Jeanno, between farewell and new departure. Give yourself the time you need. Some thresholds are too wide to be taken in one stride.”
“We cannot decide to love. We cannot compel anyone to love us. There's no secret recipe, only love itself. And we are at its mercy--there's nothing we can do.”
“Reading—an endless journey; a long, indeed never-ending journey that made one more temperate as well as more loving and kind.”
“Books are more than doctors, of course. Some novels are loving, lifelong companions; some give you a clip around the ear; others are friends who wrap you in warm towels when you've got those autumn blues. And some...well, some are pink candy floss that tingles in your brain for three seconds and leaves a blissful voice. Like a short, torrid love affair.”