Letter from the Editor
Dear Friends:

Did you ever notice how life is like Disneyland? Sometimes you encounter Goofy situations. Then, sometimes you work hard on a project and all the pieces fit perfectly - like Cinderella’s slipper. This reminds me of our 4th Annual Gala Garden Show. For over eight months our Garden Show Steering Committee of a dozen or so members organized and worked with their various subcommittees. This year we expanded the show from one to two days and nearly doubled our profits from last year. No Mickey-mouse operation here!

The reward for our efforts goes beyond mere financial gain. Consider the rewards we gave to the community: an opportunity to learn about various topics through our Speakers Series; a chance to bid on special items at our Silent Auction; a place to see offerings from our local vendors, including several nurseries. We also earned a big intangible reward of working with sister Soroptimists and getting to know more about each other in the process.

Annie Knight and I were co-coordinators for the Speakers. This kept at least one of us near the entrance most of the time, informing attendees who, when and where the next speaker would be. As you might guess, Annie was much better than I at getting people’s attention for the speakers.

Alex Priest was our MC (Music Coordinator) extraordinaire! As I looked at the first live performer preparing to start, I kept thinking I knew her from somewhere. I asked Alex where Carolyn had performed. None of the places Alex listed were right. During her next break I went up to Carolyn and told her that she looked very familiar, but I couldn’t place where we’d met. She said I too looked familiar. Then, at the same time, we realized how we knew each other. Carolyn Haley-Murray (from Sound Image Music Advertising) had been a customer of Computer Solutions!

On Saturday when I was near the entrance, as a couple was leaving the show, the husband said to me, “Hi! It’s been awhile. Our computer’s been working fine since we had it in.” The wife asked, “How’s Kona?” (Our dog, Kona, is the official greeter/customer service rep at the shop.)

Marti McAllister Wolf and I worked the admissions table on Sunday as Leah Tuttle handled the attendee’s survey. A couple came in who had recently brought their computer in the shop. They looked somewhat surprised to see me. I mentioned that I was a member of Soroptimist, a professional women’s service organization. “You might recognize other local business owners here,” I said, turning to my left, “Like Marti from Pacific Mist Books or Leah from Cole’s Jewelry.” As the couple walked toward Leah, she looked up and put her hand to her ear, not having heard what I said. “Kathy’s plugging our businesses,” Marti joked.

I remember the first few Soroptimist events I attended. If I saw one or two people I knew, then I felt okay. With so many more familiar faces than unfamiliar ones, now I felt great! I was and am grateful to be a part of such a supportive, creative, caring (not to mention successful) group. Being a Soroptimist and participating in club-sponsored events has brought the community closer to home for me. It’s a small world after all.

To all who worked on the Garden Show, many thanks!

Light and Love,
Kathy Purcell
Editor