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Creative Leisure News
2677 Ashley Ct.
Tremont, IL 61568
Phone: 309-925-5593
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Email: mike@clnonline.com
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Date:
May 19, 2003 TABLE OF CONTENTSCOMMENTARY: WORKING TOGETHERThanks to the new TNNA/INRG show (see article, below), retailers carrying a broad range of needlework and yarn no longer have to attend more than one show to find the latest products. Small companies and self-published designers can now reach a broader market for less cost. The new, combined show might even entice some larger vendors and buyers to give it a try. Some needlework designers also had stopped designing in needlepoint or cross stitch because they couldn't afford to create products and exhibit at two shows.This combination makes so much sense, it should have happened years ago. You'll eventually see other trade groups working together, rather than competing against each other. [ top ]
HIA NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTORThe Hobby Industry Assn. hired Steve Berger as Executive Director, replacing Pat Koziol who resigned in February. He'll begin work June 2. Berger's extensive resume is in manufacturing and retail rather than association management. Berger had been general manager of The Florence Paper Co., a manufacturer and importer of retail gift-wrap, bags, and accessories, where he helped double the company's sales. Prior to that, Berger was Exec VP of Stephen Lawrence Co., a leader in the upscale gift-wrap, bags and accessories market. He also held senior exec positions at The Mennen Co., RJR Nabisco, and The Nestle Co. From 1978 to 1987, he owned and operated a small shoe store named "The Harvard Shoe Tree" in Boston. "With his extensive senior management and marketing experience, Steve possesses the leadership skills and industry vision to lead HIA in an ever-changing global marketplace," said HIA Chair Bill Reed. "Additionally, he will work closely with the association's Board of Directors and HIA's four key directors to maximize member satisfaction while fueling new growth opportunities." Berger earned a BA from Northeastern U. and an MBA from Fordham U. He resides in Warren, NJ with his wife, Cherie, and their four children.[ top ]
TNNA, INRG TO PRODUCE JOINT SHOWThe National Needlework Association (TNNA) and the International Needleart Retailers Guild (INRG) will conduct a joint show, the NeedleArts Market, in Columbus, OH in June, 2004 and 2005. In effect, the show will be TNNA's annual summer market, but it will be equally representative of INRG market activities, officials say. The event will be managed by TNNA, which will reimburse INRG for any lost revenues as a result of the joint show, a TNNA board member said. The two groups will maintain their separate organizations."The cooperative efforts of these two influential organizations will provide one summer show that will strengthen the needlearts industry," said INRG President Ruth Sparrow Gendron. "Combining these major shows will benefit both vendors and retailers in a variety of ways," added Carol Gantz, president of TNNA's Board of Directors. "This partnership will bring our counted-thread oriented vendors, who are not already with us, back to TNNA so that our industry can thrive as a united force." History. TNNA started in 1974 as the association for needlework. ("The" is part of the official name. A "NNA" -- National Notions Association -- was already in existence.) It remained the primary association for needlework, although many retailers and vendors joined HIA and ACCI, too. There was a small group of retailers who had their own organization, the Southeastern Yarncrafters Guild, which also started in the early 1970's. When cross stitch hit and became the scrapbooking of its time, SEYG's membership burgeoned and its small regional show, managed by Needlework Markets Inc. (NMI), exploded. The SEYG show, held annually in Charlotte, quickly surpassed TNNA in size and was far larger than any other industry show, besides HIA and ACCI. Meanwhile, as some major needlework companies became more dependent on chain stores, they stopped exhibiting at either show, and some cross stitch companies left TNNA to exhibit in Charlotte. TNNA evolved into a yarn and needlepoint show, and hired Offinger Management to run its shows and manage the association. SEYG later changed its name to INRG, but remained almost exclusively cross stitch. In recent years yarn has shown tremendous growth, while numerous cross-stitch specialty shops went out of business. TNNA shows were growing and the Charlotte show declined. Offinger Management will produce the combined show. NMI has added a "cash-and-carry" market in Charlotte Aug. 27-29, and will continue its February 6-8 "cash-and-carry" show in Nashville. TNNA's January show in California will also continue. [ top ] HANCOCK, MARTHA PULLEN FORM ALLIANCEHancock and Martha Pullen have formed a business relationship wherein Hancock will introduce exclusive lines of quilting fabric in October and again in Spring, 2004. The first line is London Gardens by Martha Pullen. In addition, select Hancock fabrics will be used on Martha's PBS series, Martha's Sewing Room."We both bring something to the table that we could not do without the other," said Hancock CEO Larry Kirk. "We are committed as a company to the sewing arts, in education and in the fresh new colors and designs that our customers want. Martha has dedicated her life to advancing the art, and she brings her unusual energy and excitement to this partnership." Martha will also help Hancock raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. For the second year in a row, Hancock will host the Quilt of Dreams promotion for St. Jude. Last year Hancock donated $502,000 to St. Jude, and this year hopes to top $1 million. Martha will profile the kids of St. Jude in an eight-page article in the July issue of her magazine, Sew Beautiful, and will publicize it in her email newsletter. (Comment: Martha's company began as a small retail shop. Since then it has expanded into wholesaling fabric, published 38 books and the bi-monthly magazine, and produced the PBS series.) [ top ]
QUILT MARKET REPORT(Note: The following is a report from Ellie Joos, a well known marketing/pr consultant in the quilting/sewing/craft industries, on the recent Quilt Market in Portland.)Color. Green, particularly a pretty lime green, has emerged as a strong color on its own and with other delightful shades of pink, yellow, blue, and tangerine. That was a strong direction throughout Quilt Market. When I didn't see it in actual fabric collections, I saw it as a backdrop color in booth displays and as a packaging color. Fabric: P&B introduced Annabelle, a stunning, colorful collection in this new green by Leslie Gladman, who also has a line of attractive children's and adults' patterns under the name of Favorite Things ... Free Spirits' new line by Amy Butler, Gypsy Caravan, combines shades of greens, pinks, blues, and lilacs in gorgeous updated vintage-looking florals and coordinates ... Michael Miller once again created a themed booth to coordinate with its new fabric line. The outdoor cafe featured bright pink dots and other graphic prints with black and white patterns to again win a best booth award. The company also introduced a line of a cute cat printed fabrics by Mark Hordyzinski. Cat motifs appeared throughout the show as patterns and appliqued designs. At the previous Market, flannel fabrics were getting stronger and here I noticed an increase of patterns featuring wool fabric and wool felt. These fabrics look good in folk art inspired designs. The Wool Den sells 100% wool in dozens of colors. Troy Fabric is having fun with a number of new lines, including their Pizza collection that looks good enough to eat. New Products. Photo transfer is getting stronger, with a number of companies introducing or expanding this type of product line to support the growth of computer usage in quilting. Hewlett Packard even exhibited for the first time ... The Vintage Workshop, a subsidiary of Indygo Junction, expanded its wonderful CD program of vintage images and has now included imprintable fabrics and papers in a beautiful booth display ... Milliken's new Printed Treasures features 100% Pima cotton fabric sheets, packaged 5/pack ... JT Treading introduced a Photo to Fabric kit that includes Bubble Jet, fabric, and Spray and Fix 404 ... June Tailor, which expanded its fabric sheets to include Quick Fuse at the last Market, now has Art Wear for creating art that becomes permanent and washable. More Products. Beacon Adhesives, a newcomer to Quilt Market, introduced Liquid Thread. It's perfect for mending, but created excitement when buyers saw demonstrations of its use applying foiling to fabrics; fused with an iron, it becomes permanent and washable ... Insul-Brite, a Mylar-blended, needle-punched material for insulated projects from Warm Co. Quilt Care from Fairfield: I loved the green packaging and the display fixture to house the cleaning solution, quilt journal, and quilt storage bags ... 100% cotton binding from EZ Quilting by Wrights in 14 patterns, 6 tie dye and 8 ginghams ... Gutterman's new beads -- tear drops, faceted, and pyramid -- are an expansion of its gorgeous bead line ... Prym Dritz introduced the Denim Details collection for creating great one-of-a-kind personalized looks. For a profile of Prym Dritz, click HERE. For more on Denim Details, click HERE. It was a beautiful Market. The traffic on the floor was lively and, according to the organizer, Quilts, Inc., the number of pre-registered buyers was almost that of Kansas City, which was the best-attended spring Market. Ellie is President of Ellie Joos and Associates, a marketing/pr consulting firm. Call 908-459-9269 or email eleapple@hotmail.com. [ top ]
NAMTA SHOW REPORT(Note: We heard very mixed reviews of the recent NAMTA show in Chicago. Some vendors were, if not delighted, at least pleased. Others came away shaking their heads at the state of NAMTA and the art materials category. For one vendor, the show was thought-provoking.)It was interesting how many people brought up the ACCI show, maybe because our company has a crossover in the product mix that works for artists as well as crafters. It may also be the exhibitors' malaise to yearn for a greener grass at another show that must be busier than whichever show we are attending. Attendance was generally good, in spite of an insensitive, short-sighted email that was sent out to everyone requesting that anyone coming from Toronto not attend due to the hysteria over SARS. I have a positive bias towards the "fine arts," so it is sad to see NAMTA continually shooting itself in the foot. This relates directly to our connection with the rest of the world in the productive exchange of creative ideas, as well as having to cope with an illness that resulted from poor plumbing in a building in China. We are all links in a chain. I saw even more decorative paper and expansion into canvas by the Chinese and Korean contingents. It has become an interconnected world; any product that has a market (no matter how specialized) is being considered by the developing industries in Asia. I heard a great story about painters complaining about their work peeling away from their canvases. They had purchased the $1.50 16x20, private-labeled Chinese product instead of the $3.50 American product; but I was also told that the Asian products will improve over time and as the manufacturers better understand the American market and make adjustments. We may be in for an interesting future as the boundaries of the world have been removed and we will all have to come to terms with duplication of successful products and technologies. -- Midsize Manufacturer [ top ]
MEMORY MISCELLANEOUS1. EXPOS. The 4,763 attendees shattered the previous attendance mark by 74% for the New Jersey Memories Expo held earlier this month. Exhibitors were up 67%, booths 92%, and 44 of the 88 classes (and two evening crop sessions sponsored by A.C. Moore) sold out.The show was evidence that scrapbooking is still relatively new in the East. One observer said, "The East is so hungry for supplies and everything having to do with scrapbooking and stamping. Their stores are few and far in between, and consumers have to buy most of their supplies on the Internet." The next Expo, which organizers expect to be the biggest, is Oct. 10-11 in Orlando. For exhibit/attendee info, call 740-452-4541, fax 740-452-2552, email memories@offinger.com, or visit www.memoriesexpo.com. 2. CHAINS. DSN Retailing Today recently published an article that used HIA's Size of Industry statistics to estimate the total size of the scrapbook market at $2 billion. The article detailed how numerous chains not known for crafts are testing or expanding memory sections -- including Target, Dollar Tree, Office Max, and even Kmart. And yes, Wal-Mart is expanding. (Comment: The article also said, "experts estimate [scrapbooking] is growing at least 50% per year." We agree that memory continues to grow, but 50%? That would mean memory sales will increase by $1 billion this year. If you agree or disagree with that estimate, let us know, and why. Call or email your thoughts -- on or off the record: 309-925-5593 or mike@clnonline.com.) [ top ]
APRIL SALES: CRAFTS BETTER THAN MOSTIt's still early, but April sales seem to indicate that the old adage is true: crafts do well in tough economic times. Most of our industry's public retailers, while not having an outstanding month, performed better than most non-craft stores. Meanwhile numerous government reports indicate the national economy is far from healthy.Michaels was the big winner in April, with same-store sales rising a whopping 12%. Traffic was up (the number of transactions increased 9%), but the average transaction was down 2%. Strong sales in certain departments, a late Easter, and a custom frame promotion were the keys to better sales. CEO Michael Rouleau cited Spring seasonal, general crafts, kids' crafts, ribbon, and books as the strongest departments. Jo-Ann's same-store sales increased 3.5% for the month and 2.6% for the quarter, but officials warned, "The sales performance was aided by aggressive promotions of seasonal and clearance product. While successful at driving top-line growth, selling gross margins were negatively impacted. As a result, the company expects first quarter earnings ... to be in the range of $0.32 to $0.34 per diluted share." Hancock, with one less shopping day than last year (Easter Sunday), saw same-store sales rise 1.7%. Wal-Mart's same-store sales were up 5.1%. Duckwall-ALCO's same-store sales rose 7.1%, helped in part by Easter falling in April and one additional ad circular. However, crafts was not listed as a strong category. [ top ]
START YOUNG, KEEP CRAFTINGHere's why kids crafts are so important: According to an online survey conducted at HIA's consumer website, www.i-craft.com, consumers who start crafting as kids are more likely to continue crafting throughout their lives. Forty percent of the 2,900+ respondents began crafting as kids and 26% began as teenagers. Almost 30% have been crafting for 30+ years and 46% for more than 10 years.Why do they keep on crafting? Personal enjoyment (40%), relaxation (34%), making gifts (34%), home dec (27%), and activities with kids (21%). Most popular categories? Scrapbooking (42%), stamping (41%), knitting/crochet (40%), craft sewing (38%), beading (34%), home dec painting (32%), and decorative painting (31%). [ top ]
JO-ANN'S: MORE VENDOR COMMENTS(Note: In the last issue, CLN reported on a letter Jo-Ann's sent to vendors requesting money for additional advertising and announcing a vendor meeting/party to be held next month in Cleveland. Here are some additional comments.)1. I'm glad to see the subject of Jo-Ann's strong arming being discussed. We offered a portion of what they asked for and were told it was all or nothing. Nothing seems like a good alternative to me. -- Mid-size Manufacturer 2. Why are they having a party? That and the extra travel to Cleveland just adds unnecessary costs, which vendors will end up paying. -- Large Manufacturer 3. I'm new to this industry and frankly, this is no big deal compared to what I've gone through in other industries. -- Mid-size Manufacturer 4. This isn't much different than the dog-and-pony show Michaels puts on every year. -- Large Manufacturer 5. Your article about JoAnn's vendors thinking about selling to other chains reminded me of something I saw last week. I was in ShopKo here in Lincoln, NE and noticed they are now carrying rubber stamps and some other craft items. The set-up is very similar to Wal-Mart's rubber stamp section. I had not seen crafts in ShopKo previously, except for a small section of memory items, mostly Fiskars tools and paper. They must think crafts will sell! -- Sharon Dugas, Papier Dreams 6. Jo-Ann's request for additional funds jogged my memory. Last year, when Frank's was coming out of bankruptcy, their buyers were instructed to contact vendors and tell them that going forward there would be no more requests for ad allowances, special discounts, etc. All they wanted was the best net pricing. They were also eliminating a seasonal program that required vendors to sign off on money to be deducted from invoices for ad purposes. ALL OF THAT WAS TO GO AWAY. Now we have new management. About three weeks ago we received a packet announcing a new program: a 52-week calendar to be given to Frank's customers with horticultural tips, etc. Also included will be coupons offering products from PARTICIPATING VENDORS. It was not a cheap proposition for any vendor wishing to participate. A week later I get a call from someone representing the company that is producing the program for Frank's. I carefully explained our reasons for not participating, and I was appalled at the reaction. She was like the telemarketer who calls at 6:00 pm insisting you need the product and won't take no for an answer. It certainly did not reflect well on Frank's. Perhaps Frank's, Jo-Ann's, Michaels and others needing funds should solicit the real "money people" in today's world -- professional athletes! -- Large Manufacturer [ top ]
RANDOM NOTES, RANDOM THOUGHTS1. Here's a thought for non-scrapbook companies. A retailer told me, "I imagine most of the classes at ACCI and HIA will be scrapbook oriented. I understand; that's the hot trend. But I'd like to see more classes for other categories, categories where my sales need a boost."2. On behalf of the industry, here's a big thank you to Bill Reed of Meredith. As chair of the HIA board, it was his job to hold down the fort while the board searched for a new Executive Director (see article, above). Years ago, when Frank Strauss of Activa was board chair during a similar search, he spent months in the HIA office in Elmwood Park, NJ. Bill probably can't count the hours he spent away from his job and family during this period. Thanks, guys. [ top ]
MISCELLANEOUS NEWSQUOTATION: "THE END OF NESTING" is the headline of an article in last Friday's Weekend section of the Wall Street Journal. The article leads with "You're not the only one with cabin fever. In surprising numbers, Americans are returning to gyms, parties, even restaurants...."MONEY. HIA received $1.5 million of the $2.4 million in assets that had been frozen when the Securities and Exchange Commission investigated and filed charges against Bentley, the company which handled HIA's investments. Additional assets are expected to be unfrozen and returned to HIA over the next several months. No word on the final amount. DISCOUNTS. Reuters reports numerous retailers, including Wal-Mart, "are poised to slash prices this quarter to clear out excess inventory." ACCI. The numbers for the July show keep rising: exhibitors, up 13% over last year; new exhibitors, up 50%; booths, up 18%. Some classes have already sold out, too. Call 740-452-4541, email acci.info@offinger.com, or visit www.accicrafts.org for exhibitor/attendee info. WAL-MART. For the quarter ended Apr. 30, sales rose 9.7% to $56.72 billion and net income was up 14.1% to $1.86 billion. PEOPLE. Christopher McLain is President/CEO of Creativity Inc., the corporate parent of Westrim, Distinct Marketing Designs, Crop-In-Style, and Blue Moon Beads. He has been an operating partner of Sequoia Associates and the interim CEO of Creativity Inc. since 2001 ... Louis Carson is National Accounts Manager for Clover Needlecraft. He had been National Sales Manager for Olfa Products. SHOWS. Big changes for the School, Home, & Office Products Assn. The shows will be earlier -- Oct. 19-21 in 2004 and Sept. 13-15 in 2005. There will be more emphasis on buyer-seller appointments, too. Call 800-854-7467; email info@shopa.org; or visit www.shopa.org. SHOW REMINDERS. The Buyer Registration Kit/Class Schedule for the ACCI July show is at www.accicrafts.org/buyerregkit.pdf ... A similar kit for the Art Glass show is at www.artglassshow.com/register.html ... For the February HIA show in Dallas, SuperShop proposals/application fees are due July 7 and workshop reservation forms July 25. Info will be in the Exhibitor Prospectus being sent this month to previous exhibitors. For a copy, call 201-794-1133 or email hia@hobby.org. And if you need a teacher/demonstrator, ask HIA about its Certified Professional Demonstrators and Teachers. AWARD. NAMTA named veteran sales rep Pat Indence as Man of the Year. CARDMAKING. A comment from Pam Danziger, who will be a speaker at the July ACCI show: "... after 9-11, people who care enough to send the very best often turn to more specialized, exclusive cards and personalized stationery. The trend in greeting cards is clearly away from mass toward class." PROFILE. There's an interestng profile of Me & My Big Ideas in The Bloom Report. Visit www.thebloomreport.com. It's an excellent, free newsletter for the toy industry, but you have to register first. AIDS. The annual Creating For Life fundraising drive is underway. Creating For Life has raised approximately a quarter of a million dollars for AIDS research, education, and services. Proceeds benefit the Howard Brown Health Center, the Midwest's largest private provider of AIDS services, and the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, a poignant memorial, the largest ongoing community arts project in the world. Make your tax-deductible contributions payable to Creating For Life, and send to Craftrends, 741 Corporate Circle, Ste. A, Golden, CO 80401. (To charge the donation, include the card number and type, the name as it appears on the card, and the expiration date. Charges will appear on your statement as Howard Brown Health Center.) SARS. The World Health Organization on Thursday extended a SARS travel warning to Taiwan and to two more Chinese provinces, but has said SARS is now contained in Toronto. KIDS. The 7th series of Hands On Crafts for Kids uplinks to PBS stations next month. This series is "Crafting in the USA" and Fiskars, Delta, Polyform, Beacon, Strathmore Paper, Activa, and Toner are the corporate sponsors. Call your local PBS station and ask for it. ART MATERIALS. Triangle Crafts introduced Mosaic Grout, premixed and pre-tinted in 12 colors, a new solution to the problem of mixing and tinting grout. Available in an 8-ounce size with a MSR of $5.99. Black and white also available in a 32-ounce jar. PAINT. The Akron Beacon Journal published an article on Krylon's new Fusion spray paint that bonds to plastic materials without priming. The paper called it revolutionary and a "marvelous invention." It works on rubber, glass, tile, and other hard-to-bond surfaces. CROCHET. Lily Chin, the "World's Fastest Crocheter," appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman. During the show she knitted a sweater with Lion Brand Yarn and gave it to Letterman, who tried it on. Lily will be teaching at the Chain Link Crochet Conference sponsored by the Crochet Guild of America, July 24-27, in Chicago. [ top ]
BUSINESS PROFILE: ACCU-CUT SYSTEMSLynette Nabity couldn't imagine what her husband Steve had in mind when he borrowed her rolling pin years ago. He experimented in her kitchen, believing he could make cut-out shapes with a roller applying pressure on steel rule dies. This was the beginning of a business that today ships machines, cutting dies, and templates across the globe.During its infancy, Accu-Cut concentrated on the U.S. educational market, selling products to schools, libraries, churches, and child care centers. The company rapidly expanded to scrapbooking and rubber stamp retailers, quilt stores, and professional crafters. Craft customers use the machine in stores -- and retailers use it to manufacture their own die-cut products. "Accu-Cut acts as a retailer's partner, providing ways to merchandise not just die cuts, but almost everything in the store," says CEO Steve Nabity. The system now offers embossing capabilities, die cut rubber stamping, and other innovations. Accu-Cut also manufactures packaged templates that complement the die-cutting system. In 2003, Accu-Cut blended its line of templates with those from a competing company to create a complete, coordinated line of templates that makes it easier for retailers to order and display product. They are called EZ2Cut ShapeMakers Cutting Templates. Today, Accu-Cut offers hundreds of templates and thousands of die designs in eight sizes, ranging from 1.25" to 17"+ custom dies. The MARK IV machine received Learning magazine's "Teachers' Choice" award, and was chosen several times as preferred by scrapbookers who read Creating Keepsakes magazine. Accu-Cut offers the smaller and more portable MARK III machine with a carrying case. A larger system using innovative cutting technology is the GrandeMARK machine, a Primedia "Award of Excellence" product. The size of the GrandeMARK machine provides high versatility, and it makes exact cuts for crafts such as quilting, rubber stamping, and handmade cards. A smaller version is called the Baby GrandeMARK roller die-cutting machine. Accu-Cut requires no license agreements when die cuts are used in packages, as competitors do. "Retailers like our no-strings-attached approach," Steve says. This policy demonstrates another aspect of the company's philosophy, which is stated in its tagline: "Making It Easy, Making It Fun." A great deal has happened since the first rolling pin test. Accu-Cut Systems' way of doing business, however, has remained the same. "We're dedicated to our partnership with customers, and determined to give them the finest cutting systems available," Steve says. "That's our recipe for success." Rolodex: Steve Nabity, CEO; Jan Sammons, Product Manager; Wayne Battenfield, International Sales Director. Accu-Cut Systems, 1035 E. Dodge St., Fremont, NE 68025. Call 402-721-4134 or 800-288-1670; fax 402-721-2845 or 800-369-1332; email info@accucut.com; or visit www.accucut.com. Note: Like to see your company profiled in CLN? CLN will include one "Business Profile" in each issue. The company can be a manufacturer, retailer, service company, trade association, etc. All profiles are archived online for one year. To read profiles published in previous issues, click on the "Business Profile Archives" button. To learn how your company can be profiled, call Mike Hartnett at 309-925-5593 or email mike@clnonline.com. [ top ]
THE CREATIVE NETWORK: JOB OPENINGSTo see a sampling of the current job openings and to contact The Creative Network, click on the "Jobs" button in the left hand column.[ top ]
THE CLN RETAIL INDEXA. C. Moore (ACMR). Last*: 16.23 ... Change**: -1.20Hancock Fabrics (HKF). Last*: 14.30 ... Change**: -1.57 Jo-Ann Stores (JAS.A) [a]. Last*: 21.80 ... Change**: -4.39 Michaels (MIK). Last*: 33.25 ... Change**: -1.53 Rag Shops (RAGS). Last*: 3.35 ... Change**: +0.34 Wal-Mart (WMT). Last*: 52.92 ... Change**: -3.23 CLN Retail Index. Last*: 141.85 ... Change**: -7.5% Dow Jones Index. Last*: 8,678.97 ... Change**: +1.1% *May 16 ** from May 4 [a] voting share Prices are exclusive of dividends [ top ]
ACCI AND THE RHINOCEROSThe things I get into in this industry.I'm on the board of directors for ACCI, and recently was excited about the schedule for our board meeting. Excited because I learned that Walt Offinger, in addition to being president of Offinger Management (which manages the ACCI show), is chair of the board of The Wilds (www.thewilds.org). It's a huge, wonderful wildlife preserve about an hour outside Columbus. It's truly a great place -- doing lots of research, education, and conservation for endangered animals from all over the world. The agenda called for us to receive an "insider's tour" of The Wilds, then have lunch and our meeting there. So far so good. During the tour we were taken to the rhino barn where surgery is performed on these huge creatures. Two of them were there, and the guide told us we could pet them through the bars, but if a rhino turns his back, look out. He's going to spray his urine. Still, so far so good. Of course I proceed to pet the rhino, and of course I turned to say something to a fellow board member, and of course the rhino turned his back and .... But the guide was wrong; the rhino didn't merely "spray" his urine; it was more like a fire hose. I jumped aside, but not in time and not far enough. My left pants leg was drenched. So there I am, an hour away from the hotel and no one has any extra pants. (Who brings extra pants to a board meeting?). So I had to sit through a luncheon, a four-hour board meeting, and an hour-long bus ride back to the hotel. What I discovered in all this was how mean my fellow board members are. They tried to feign sympathy, but they were laughing so hard they couldn't finish a sentence. And I thought it was really picky of them to want me to ride home on top of the bus. Next board meeting, I'm wearing a raincoat. [ top ]
REMINDERS1. For more information on how your business can be the subject of a "Business Profile" or have products/photos included in the "CLN's Online Product Preview, call Mike Hartnett at 309-925-5593 or email mike@clnonline.com.2. Paid subscribers are invited to have their website evaluated by Lynn Carlisle of Carlisle Communications. She'll check the site and provide a confidential assessment and suggestions for improvement. Just email mike@clnonline.com or ljc@carlislecommunications.com. 3. If you want a hard-copy of this issue, click on "Printer Friendly version". 4. If your company is a paid subscriber, everyone in the main office is welcome to register, free. Just click on "Current Subscribers Click Here To Register." 5. If you want to recommend CLN to a friend, use the "Tell Your Friends" box on the home page. 6. Creative Leisure News is published on the first and third Mondays of each month. Your next issue will be Monday, June 2. [ top ]
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