Week of November 23rd, 2020
“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”
— Voltaire
The volunteers at the Huron County
Non-Food Bank are still more important than ever! Don't forget your neighbors as we head into the winter season.
“When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.”
--Tecumseh
John's Usual Excuses & Apologies--

I hope that everyone is well. Don't let your guard down. Keep that mask up, your friends at your outstretched arms/fingertips, and those hands clean. We have a long way to go still. Everyone is doing great so far, but I think the Thanksgiving weekend will be a real test of our willpower for sure.

Because of the holiday, CLI only has a 2-day week this time around. One nice thing about at least 1 tradition (in addition to over-eating of course) is that The 94th annual parade will air nationwide on NBC on Thanksgiving Day from 9 a.m. to noon. I've never really been a huge parade fan, but I know that tradition is an important holiday marker for many (including my daughter). If you are looking for non-cable ways to watch the parade, the livestream will kick off at 9 a.m. on Verizon’s Twitter account and YouTube.
For the first time in at least 4 years, CLI will NOT be hosting local vendors at 38 West Seminary and 16 West Main as part of Shop Small Saturday. The reasons for not doing it this year is to help the City of Norwalk's efforts to encourage people to attend the tree lighting from the car parade-- and because all of us at CLI are trying to keep our bubbles as small as possible right now. With the high infection rates, all of us are only as safe as the people we choose to be around us.

Now that it's started to get a little colder, it is starting to feel a bit more in sync with the store Christmas displays that have been up since early October. Speaking of shopping, it's easy to over-buy when you're just clicking online. Just remember that the best gifts often take an investment of time not cash. With all the uncertainty right now, hanging tightly onto your cash might be a particularly good idea. But, we should all take the opportunity that comes of being maybe just a little bit bored right now-- and double down on giving away our time to others. Have a great holiday (but stay smart & keep washing those hands).
John
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”
--Oprah Winfrey
It may have been colder this week, but the group at 16 West got their workout during at Just Dance
& Chair Zumba Sessions
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”
-- Robert Brault
Football season is in full swing at CLI. While most of our tribe goes for the Browns and Buckeyes, there may be a few deviants that prefer maize & blue and/or black & gold. Got some good game face pics of your own? Send 'em in!
 “Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.”
-- Alphonse Karr
Mark, Deanna & Sarah are volunteering remotely-- picking up donated bulk dogfood from the Humane Society, bagging it, then delivering those smaller bundles to the Huron County Non-Food Bank.
CLI has other able volunteers looking to give back to our community, so please leit us know if we can help your charitable cause!
“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” —Zig Ziglar
Speaking of Masks & other PPE-- We haven't gotten any new pictures of YOUR COVID Leisure Wear! Send Pics!
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
-- Albert Einstein
Firelands Local LLC Update:
James Johnson
419-921-6400
From James Johnson, GM
It is hard to believe Thanksgiving is this week. I hope everyone enjoys their time with family and loved ones. Please remember to stay safe at the same time. Wear your mask, wash your hands and stay 6’ apart.
 
Production completed just over 45,000 items last week. We are in talks with a company for a new exciting job that will be done at the workshop. I will announce all the details once they are finalized.
 
We shredded just over 18,000 pounds of paper last week. We baled 3,000 pounds of cardboard and 1,000 pound of plastic wrap.
 
Where in Huron county was I?

There were no winners for last week. The picture was along the drive at the main entrance of Fisher Titus hospital in Norwalk. The flags represent cancer survivors.
 
I hope you enjoy this week's photo.

Again, where in Huron County am I?
“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.”
-- Henri Frederic Amiel
Who says there's NO FREE LUNCH? We know people--
How is CLI able to afford giving away free food when we (and everybody else is hustling to break-even)?

It's a good question. The answer is that CLI invested a (very) small amount of seed money in April to open up a new checking account just for the Good Works Cafe. After that, it's been 100% funded by donations.

Our on-going investment now is just time. CLI is always looking to help people give to their local community. Got an idea of something that a small group can to do to help? Let us know!
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
-- William Arthur Ward
The FREE Good Works Cafe will runs every Friday at 11:30 am until they run out of meals.
If you or a friend want a delicious meal but cannot get transportation, we can deliver to you for a $20 donation!

*Donations are accepted & 100% go to future Fridays.*
DODD has some decent online content these days.

Click the video on the left to see a clip of Director Davis and Dr. Sorg with an update about the pandemic and the holidays.

You can find more videos by clicking on either the youtube or the DODD website buttons below.

Spread the word!