WEDNESDAY, May 3, 199%

THE LIGHTE RF SS 4 DE Tne Seeman ove Mey 3, 36° 148 | y rofile The Castlegar Sun

Ann
Landers

Syndicated
Columnist

Dear Ann Landers: My
aunt asked me to cater my
cousin's wedding reception
last July. I live in Alabama,
and the reception took place
in Indiana, which is quite a
long distance to travel

During our conversation,
my aunt offered to fly me up
and back for the reception. I
told her I appreciated the
offer but would prefer to
drive so I could bring the
needed catering supplies.
She agreed and said she
would reimburse me for the
car rental and my out-of-
pocket expenses.

It has been months since
the reception, and I have
heard nothing from her. I
have written several times
and received no response

I didn't charge her for cater-
ing the reception (300 people)
because I wanted my work to
be a gift to my cousin. I have
asked to be reimbursed for
my out-of-pocket expenses
only, which is what we origi-
nally agreed upon.

I am now in a very awk-
ward spot. I believe I should
be reimbursed for my
expenses, but I also feel bad
that [ am in this position
with a family member I care
about

I need your help, Ann
How do I go about asking to
get paid for these expenses
without looking like a nag? -
Mobile, Ala

Dear Mobile: You say
you have written several
times and received no
response. Try telephoning.
If you are unable to reach
your aunt, accept the fact
that she is a deadbeat and
let it go at that. (File under
Poorer But Wiser.)

Metro
Quiz-Cross |

CLUES ACROSS

1. Frighten
4. Ban
8. Yes
Grade
Hold tightly
Foot part
Immerse
Vanity
Swarm
Mean
Desired
» African striped quadruped
Namely
Color slightly
Slip of memory
Prosecute
32. Bishop's headdress
3. Evade

CLUES DOWN

2. Separately
Oriental
Fault
Pig meat
Lift
Power
Venomous snake
Feline animal
Tavern
Cry down
Employ
Snuggled
Male duck
Recommend
Capture
Poison
Entertain
Two-footed animal

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Best Chicken Around

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POPCORN CHICKEN!

Delivery or Pick up
365-5304 ~~

Calvin ana Hobbes

Me / i =
x

by Bill Watterson

UNDERPANTS IF NOBODY EVER

f MI WHATS THE POINT OF WEARING
mar % . YOUR FAVORITE ROCKETSHIP

CANIN, ARE YOU CHENING]| Do You HAVE ENOUGH TO PROBABLY, BUT DO YOU

GUM IN CLASS? SWARE WITH EVERYBODY? |] REAUN THINK THEYD
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ONE BIG HAPPY

BABY BLUES

ee Sait pao (MEONE NO: WAIT?
emet {Yow bor | anor OF STOP! j
LOOK?

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Watch for our
Mother Day
Flyer Sale

PLAZA 1.D.A. PHARMACY

Castieaird Paz0 + "Your Neighbourhood Drugstore”

365-7269

+ Apr. 28 Happy Birthday
Ricki Racer (Daddy)
- love from your family

+ Apr 28 Happy Birthday Cliff -

from Rick, Marlene & kids

+ Apr. 29 Happy Birthday Sarah
Saliken = from Peter,
Reena & Misha

* May | - Happy Birthday Megan
& Ajay Shmoorkoff
- love Mom

* May 2 Happy Birtha
Marcy Perepolkan

love Mom

$4" IF_YOU CAN FIND
'EM GRIND 'EM

To free up landscaping space,
call about our new:stump grinder

IF YOU'RE STUMPED, 2917. 4th Ave.
CALL 365-5626 <astiegar, 8c

qHars \PUSH! PUSH! OW, WANDA , Look!
t.-. ! é MP! ? HEGE Comes OUR BRAND-
f PUSH! fe He Att GAO.

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2/1 ELBA PORTE OES

tiktervar) & Seon

+ May2 Happy Birthday Auntie

Marcy Perepolkin
+ love Bvan
+ May 4 Happy Birthday Samara
- love Grandma & Grandpa
& Melanie

* May 4 Happy Bisthday Chris

~ love Mom & Dad

+ May 4 Happy Sth Birthday Jordi
- love Mom, Dad & Jeffrey

* May 8 Happy Barthday Auntie

Mani - love Jeffrey & Jordi

appy Birthday to

+ May 9 Happy Buthday Mom
- love Teresa, Mike, Jefirc y
& Jordi

“THIS WEEK'S WINNER IS
TED BY LOG
doe i our wah &
‘Wa Will print k tree of charge.
Allpirthdey greetings must be
phioned in (365-5266) by
Neon Thureday the week
‘before the paper is published

'WEBK.
the cope ort
Queen in the x4

Casheaird Plaza,

We specialize in ice-cream cakes, Call 365-5522 for takeout of pick-up orders.

OPEN Monday - Sat

jay’

16 OZ. BLIZZARD

OR BREEZE
EACH JUST

WY
The Gastidgar Sun
AWS

Excellence in
Service Award

This award will be presented every week to
someone in Castlegar who shows extraordinary
service to his/her customers or clients.

The recipient will receive an award plaque
“'to keep courtesy of Kats Trophys and a pizza
courtesy of Canadian 2 For 1 Pizza.

We'd like everyone in Castlegar to know that
ll exists in our c
ieee a dh

If you know of someone that offers
"Excellence in Service," call me,
Marilyn at 365-5266, or
drop a letter at the Castlegar Sun
with your suggestion.

ANADIAN
2 FOR 1
PIZZA

Raindrop” appears as if

she has just flitted out of

the forest and into

McInnis’s living room. Her

unique garb and twinkle

in her eye leaves admirers

in awe.

Brenda McInnis adjusts

one of her dolls heads as

another doll, which she

has named “Trouble”,

mischiévously looks on

os»

e

The process of creating a

SA IR Ne Ne

life-like doll includes

SR eS
4

careful sanding and

[eee memsamene sae etn a

removal of rough areas

Gs pping into Brenda McInnis’s living room is like taking
Wa step into another world

From behind glass china cabinet doors, and from every
nook and cranny, 40 pairs of eyes stare silenUy at you

Blue, brqgwn, green, hazel and amber eyes gaze
unblinkingly and, for a brief moment, you expect the
owners of these expressive eyes to say hello

But that will never happen—the eyes belong to the
40 hand-made dolls which have overtaken McInnis's
fantasy” room

Dressed lovingly in full authentic clothing the dolls are
so realistic that you can't help but want to pick one up
and examine it to make sure that it is, in fact, only a doll.

Rosebud mouths, porcelain skin, eyes that seem to
look deep into your soul capture your heart and your
imagination

On the couch in one corner sits Merlin the Magician.
Resplendent in a gossamer cape, velvet dress, witch hazel
wand and complete with a wart on his nose, his magical
presence permeates the room.

Shirley Temple stands quietly by while holding a lollipop
in her hand and wearing a frothy red and white dress

An Indian maiden, looking majestic in buckskin, gazes
upon her papoose nestled in a nearby teepee

Raindrop, an elfin-like wood sprite, grins cheekily at
you from behind glass doors

Baby dolls, character dolls, and a replica of one
woman's grandson all stand at attention

McInnis speaks lovingly of her creations, and her
enthusiasm about the art of doll-making is undeniably
contagious

The Robson woman admits to always having a
“passion” for dolls

“When my mother and I would go shopping I’d-go to
the doll department and just hang out.”

In fact, McInnis had such a passion for dolls that she
wore many of her dolls out by bathing and playing with
them continuously

Unfortunately, there comes a time when every girl
grows up and exchanges. her dolls for lipstick. But
not McInnis

She clearly remembérs the day she was told by her
parents that she wasitoo old for dolls.

“At 10-years-old my parents said I was too old for dolls.
I was heartbroken..I had to say good-by to my dolls.”

And even though it appeared as if McInnis had moved
on to bigger, and more adult, things she admits that she
still remained a closet doll lover.

“I still would wander through the toy department
looking at dolls

It wasn't until almost 14 months ago. that McInnis
could come out of the closet. While looking for a hand-
made doll for a present for friends who had had just
had a child, McInnis found herself in Trail at Joe
Barley’s Boutique

Admiring the hand-made dolls, McInnis asked the
clerk where she got her dolls

“She told me they were made locally.”

Through her inquiries she found that Jacqueline Bir,
a woman who lives near Waneta, made dolls and gave
doll-making lessons

“I just went nuts. I had been wanting to buy one as
a gift.”

And she did buy one—but after years of doll

» withdrawal she couldn't find the heart to give it away

“She suggested that I make one. | thought that was so
incredible. There was no way. I couldn't do that!”

But she was wrong and now, 14 months later, her
passion has blossomed like a flower in the sun

After finding that she enjoyed the craft, and that she
could do what she previously thought impossible, McInnis
has found herself with 40 dolls she has made by herself

I was so proud of my accomplishment. I could never
give away my first dolls. | was hooked

Now McInnis lives and breathes dolls. While not
working at Castlegar and District Hospital she’ can be
tound doll-making or searching for supplies for her dolls
The dolls require eyes, wigs. clothing, shoes, and
accessories. Anuque wicker carriages, and even a stuffed
owl for Merhin’s shoulder aren't sate m McInnis

But even though McInnis > s are of obvious
quality, she despairs that there s lot learn vet
[have so much vet to learn. Pin geting away trom trilly
babies and I'm into character doll

It’s McInni fervent desire that her hobby, which
she said consumes o third of her pay cheque
becomes a business ahi plans to call (what else)
‘All Dolled Up

“This is big business. | had no idea how many people
are involved in this. When I retire f'd hike to become-a
fulltime doll-maker

Story & Photos
by Karen Kerkhoff