Two Dumb Dames to Speak

MANISTEE - - - It has been said, "never under estimate the power of a woman" and if there are two women....something is really going to happen. Something good will happen Thursday, September 18 at the Women's Economic Resource Center (WERC) luncheon featuring two Bear Lake women, Gloria Edwards and Pauline Jaquish.
During Bear Lake Days they are affectionately known as the "Two Dumb Dames", a name they copied from a business in Eureka Springs, Mo. when they were on their yearly spring trip. Then a year later while in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, they attended a Chuckwagon Supper. On one of those trips back home, Gloria talked about her sister-in-law who had sent a few packages to a soldier in Iraq. She added, "We could do that!"And, “we” did, last July, with a fund-raiser at the Manistee County Fair.
Last October the ladies presented the Care Package project to the Bear Lake Promoters and asked for their financial backing if needed. So far there has been no need to ask for money from the Promoters, although their labor force has been well used in the processing and packing part of the project. Currently, there have been 303 Care Packages sent to military personnel of all branches serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Over $3,000 in cash has been donated to help pay for postage and buy supplies to send. Approximately 2,400 pounds of items ranging from prepackaged food items to personal hygiene products, writing material, magazines, books, white socks, t-shirts, lip balm, combs, razors, baby wipes, and the list goes on.....but only non-alcohol items and no aerosol cans....Postal Department rules. Contributions have come from all over Manistee and Benzie counties as well as throughout the state and even Chicago. Packages need to be sent throughout the year with holiday decorations included to help make their surroundings a little more home like.
Checks may be written to the Bear Lake Promoters and mailed to Gloria Edwards, P. O. Box 224, Bear Lake, Mi 49614 and items may be dropped off at her home at the corner of Main and Wise Sts. Bear Lake. For additional information, contact Pauline at pjaquish@coslink.net .
The women will tell their story Thursday, September 18 at the WERC luncheon to be held from 11:45 – 1:15 at the Tuscan Grille on River Street in Manistee. Cost is $10. RSVP to manisteewomen @ yahoo.com. Please also bring an item to two to include in their next shipment.
To sponsor a luncheon, contact the Women’s Economic Resource Center at manisteewomen @yahoo.com. The luncheons are a program of WERC. For more information visit the WERC website at www.manisteewerc.org. The mission of WERC is to support the professional development and leadership of women and girls.