MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear CAL friends,

I capped off a very busy 3 weeks since our general meeting by getting the flu for the first time in years. Not surprisingly, this is the first time in years that I forgot to get my flu shot—divine justice. As flu goes, it could have been worse, but now I am behind on my mental list of things to do and still feeling punky.
 

The day after our last meeting I took off for New Orleans to meet to long-time friends. It was my first time in the city and I had no idea what to expect. I’m not a city girl. Generally when I travel I get into a major metropolis, hit the highlights and scoot out of town. I was so surprised by how much I love New Orleans. We had a hotel in the heart of the French Quarter and I soon realized that the area is really a little village surrounded by a metropolis. Within two days I could walk around knowing precisely which direction I was heading. I am directionally disabled and it is getting worse with age, so for me to have gotten so confident so quickly is saying something. We were there for 4 full days so, try as we might, we left some food for incoming tourists. I got home carrying 4 pounds of jambalaya on my frame. I can at least report that the flu took care of that this week.

I got a call from Elaine Linscott the other day. Aside from having given much to CAL she is active on the Fair Grounds Board. They are deep into planning for this year’s fair and pre-fair. CAL has supported the pre-fair through grants for a number of years. The pre-fair is an educational program for Bonner County school children which gives them a basis in agricultural education. Elaine was hoping that 7-10 CAL members would volunteer to help supervise during that program. You won’t be asked to do anything except be another set of eyes, ears, and hands for the primary supervisor for each group. It sounds like a grand way for retired teachers to get back into the swing without having to do any prep. Please call Elaine at 208-265-4673. She would love to report that she has commitments by April 18.

On April 23, the Senior Center is having a dinner-dance at the fairgrounds. It is only $20 for dinner and dancing and $10 if you just want to dance. They are planning more entertainment, casino games, a silent auction, and a raffle to win a free vacation in a condo in Hawaii. Call 208-263-6860 for more information.

About the above quote: I just finished reading, The Reader’s for Broken Wheel Recommend, by Katarina Bivald. It is an easy read, but might appeal to people who like books, small towns, and happy endings. It takes place in a small dying town in Nebraska where the appearance of one tourist from Sweden changes everything. It is a sweet story of love, friendship and the ripple effect that of one small pebble thrown into the metaphoric pond can have.  It’s a great book for the hammock this summer.

I will be seeing you all next week, April 12 at the fairgrounds for our spring luncheon. It’s a bar-b-que so come very casually. It promises to be a grand time and with 130 signed up, it will be our biggest event ever.

Yours,
Sherry