Dear Sir,
After a lifetime of teaching and adjusting words to properly fit occasions and thoughts, I would have never imagined I would be at a loss to find a fitting way to say “Thank You” to those who have so generously helped me during my recent health crisis.
The words “Thank You,” seem trite and insignificant as I think of all of the people, deeds and thoughtfulness, but try as I might, and even with the help of dictionaries and good old Roget’s Thesaurus I just can’t find a way to say it any better.
Please know that your help and concern, your calls and contributions, your gifts and prayers have been my guiding light through the surgery and these weeks of recuperation.
Soon, I will have healed and gained enough strength to pick up my normal schedule and look forward to seeing all of you. Until then, please remember that you and your kindnesses will never be forgotten.
Barbara Madren
Dear Sir,
While early founders deserve credit, factual errors about the financial support of Have Hammer…Will Travel were made in your recent article, and the current president, Mike Ouimet, was not mentioned. Have Hammers is now a self-sustaining school providing professional-level training for youth and adults in the lakeside area (in addition to the classes for younger kids). The early days of Mr. Hammer and the products generated today are completely different, due to the curricular leadership of Eloy Gonzales, a master woodcarver from New Mexico, as well as other volunteers who have learned new furniture-making techniques in recent years. In addition, the charity’s operations have stabilized due to the ceaseless administrative efforts of Cindy and Richard Thompson. Because of the competition among lakeside charities for limited resources, the current Board has also looked outside for funding and even created a small weekly fundraiser, BingoLago. Over the past five years, the program has been generously supported by Todo Bueno Thrift Store, the Chapala Sunrise Rotary Club, the Ajijic Rotary Club, Rotary International, five sister Rotary clubs in the U.S. and Canada, Outreach Charities of St. Andrews Anglican Church, and other organizations and individuals who have given thousands of dollars and hours to Mr. Hammer.
The public can see the wonderful training that is underway and the successful partnership with Todo Bueno Thrift Store by visiting Mr. Hammer on the Carretera at 231A Hidalgo in Riberas del Pilar. An open house will be held Wednesday, August 2, at Have Hammer’s and at Todo Bueno Thrift Store, to which the public is invited.
Bill Wilson, President,
Chapala Sunrise Rotary Club