Spring is definitely on the horizon. There are pussy willows out along
the river, there are calves in the fields outside of town, and I saw three
robins last week. Another sign is your run into everyone you know at the
hardware store and the garden center, instead of the grocery store and the
post office.
PPP
I spent Thursday night at the Village Theater, watching their
production of “The Diary of Anne Frank” with a group of homeschooled
teenagers from the Valley. Our YA librarian Caryn Sipos organized the
outing. She has a regular Monday meeting for the homeschoolers called Lunch
`n’ Lit. The kids meet, read books they have selected and discuss them
over popcorn. Caryn recently won an award for this program from the
American Library Association. They read the book this past year, and were
interested in seeing it performed. For some of the kids, this was their first taste
of live theater.
It was a good production, although the actress playing Anne was a bit
too perky for my taste. Just a little too upbeat. And it was a surprise to
hear comments that indicated that some in the audience didn’t know how
the story ended. But it was an enjoyable evening, and the kids seemed to
enjoy it as well. I think they will have some interesting discussion topics
for their next meeting.
PPP
I ran into a very good businesswoman last Sunday in QFC.
Actually, it was Sunday the 13th. She was a blond girl in glasses selling Camp
Fire Mints. She had her table set up near the deli, where everyone was
buying Sunday papers and espressos to go.
Why was she such a good businesswoman? On this Sunday
before Valentine’s Day, she had wrapped several boxes of each kind of candy
in red and pink paper, with Valentine Decorations. Ready for gift giving.
I wish I had gotten her name because I am sure she will succeed in
whatever she does in life. That’s good marketing!
I was a Camp Fire girl in my youth, and I sold mints too. They were
bigger mints, and you got more of them, and they only cost a $1 a box. But
that was a long time ago. You also got a sticker inside every box that you
could put on your window. Other kids were supposed to honor the sticker, and
not bother someone who had already purchased mints.
My favorite customer was Mrs. Reese. She always bought
several boxes, usually from every kid who came by. And then she would give
you the mints back to take home. As a diabetic, she couldn’t eat them. But
she always bought whatever the kids were selling. Camp Fire mints, Girl
Scout cookies, Boy Scout magazine subscriptions, or band candy. It
didn’t matter. She was also a great source of free kittens, spare Band-Aids,
and drinks of water on a hot day. And I would like to go on record in
saying she never, ever, ever had to pay to
have her lawn mowed, her weeds pulled, or her leaves raked. It was considered
an honor to do it. We knew a good thing when we had it.
PPP
The First Tuesday Book Group is reading Charlotte Paul this
month. Copies are still available at the library. As you may know, Charlotte Paul
and her husband owned the Valley Record at one time and two of her books
deal with this ownership. “Minding Our Own Business” and “Four To
Grow.” Distinguished local publisher Jim McKiernan will be speaking at
the March 7 meeting on the differences in newspapers from then to now.
PPP
The ladies of the VFW Auxiliary are holding a Blood Drive at
the Mount Si Senior Center on Friday March 5. Why not stop by and
drop off a pint? The life you save may be someone you know. And the
cookies are good too!
PPP
Thought for the Week: I didn’t learn for years that you generally
find your self after you quit looking for
it. _ Peg Bracken.
Please submit items for
North Bend Nuggets to
Pat Simpson at P.O. Box 857,
North Bend, WA 98045,
or by e-mail to patsimps@hotmail.com,
or drop them by the library.