Decisions have now been made on Emporium items that will not appear in the 2009 catalog. Most of those items have been added to the ATTIC SALE page. Some nice bargains are there.
We’re still making choices for new product for 2009. We’ve already received a shipment of lanyards… one of the “requested” items to be added. We will also have note pads and note portfolios. Your suggests are most welcome.
As usual, photo Ops were plentiful at the Reunion-BBQ. Colonel Mike Gifford, Colonel John Gifford and their lovely ladies, all from Ohio, were very popular.
The Kentucky Colonels Derby Extravaganza was again fantastic this year. Colonels from over 30 states and 5 other nations attended. The display of hats is always a major part of the Extravaganza. Here’s a sample.
The Good Works Program has had two recent “emergency” assistance requests because of copper thieves. In both cases, the intruders stole cooper tubing from the air condition compressor units. In one case, they did so without event disconnecting the electricity. One organization hit provides employment for the mentally challenged. The other organization was a boy’s and girl’s club. Insurance paid for part of the replacement costs. We assisted with the remainder(s). Security fences have also been installed. If you know of a charitable organization that is vulnerable, you might give them a heads up. AND, it wouldn’t hurt to keep an ear out at home as well.
Ambassador Glen
An update on some possible state budget crunch fall out for Kentucky Colonels. The Secretary of State, 
who by law must issue all official Kentucky documents, is proposing to change the look of future Kentucky Colonel Certificates. The “new” document would be downsized from the current 10 inch by 15 inch size to 8.5 inch by 14 inch. Wording on the certificate will stay the same however; the gold seal and ribbon will be replaced with a slightly embossed version of the state seal. The actual dollar savings will be minimal. There will be a substantial savings in labor in that the gold seal and ribbon are applied by hand.
The Honorable Order has concerns about the proposal. We have asked for reconsideration. A meeting will be held between representatives of the Order and the Secretary of State in a few days to further discuss this issue.
We must point out though that the issuance of Kentucky Colonel Commissions/Certificates is solely the purview of state government of which the Honorable Order is not a part. The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels is a non-profit, charitable organization whose membership consists of individuals who have been commissioned as Kentucky Colonels by the Governor of the Commonwealth.
