Here.Now.News. From the Desk of Nancy Busch, Executive Director
Sometimes Things Don’t Go Quite As Planned “I’m a girl who loves to share information, especially empowering, life-changing, information.” – Marilu Henner In the midst of changing weather and the
holidays, many consider it the official kickoff
to baking season. This will likely be truer this
year than any other, as we are all staying home more. However, for me, the baking season is year-round.
My love of baking cakes started as a latchkey kid back in the day. I remember the pain I felt
when I finished my first “masterpiece.” It was
just ever so slightly underbaked, and I had not yet learned the power of a skim coat before
frosting. So, as the chocolate kept coming off
into the frosting, I thought, “I will just decorate my way out of this situation.” An entire bag
of chocolate chips later, it still wasn’t much to look at. As my older brother teased and
made jokes about it, I hung my head in defeat. I wanted to just throw it away, but my mother wasn’t about to let it go to waste. That night, after dinner, the cake was cut for serving. To my surprise, it was delicious. There was not
one piece left over. So, I quickly learned that
sometimes all is not lost. There is always some good that comes from learning something
new and trying your best. Even if it does not turn out quite as you had expected, it might
still bring someone else pleasure and there’s
always a lesson learned from the experience. It also turns out that a slightly undercooked cake is much tastier than one that is overcooked.
Since then, I have made what seems like a million cupcakes for a thousand wonderful
reasons. There is so much satisfaction in both the process and the finished product. Okay,
there is frosting, but sampling it is critical for
their wedding cakes, my kids blowing out the candles or my husband “paying” his way into the races with my cupcakes. Just as baking is a skill that can be learned, practiced and improved, our industry relies on skilled craftsmanship. This is where my passion for the community that is ISFA really kicks in. All our members have a story or a worthy lesson learned that’s capable of helping another. The idea is to bring these people together to be able to share this invaluable information. In our current reality, finding ways of connecting members continues to be our focus. While not perfect, we learned a lot from hosting this year’s virtual Modern Surfaces Training and our Annual Conference. This was true of both the technical details and as a team. Our ISFA crew stepped up and in the process of bringing something special to our members, we were able to get to know one another much faster than likely possible hosting a live event. With our staff working in a virtual office setting, we all pulled together and engaged in the event as a team. I am so appreciative of their hard work and for the individual lessons they shared with me in the process. As travel becomes possible again, the effort and skills learned in the current environment will no doubt improve the experience of our live events, too. So, the journey will end up being well worth the effort. Sometimes it takes a little grit to figure out something new, but the opportunity to share what you have learned to help another is great motivation to get you through.
quality control purposes.
After having spent many hours honing my
skills, baking will always be a great creative outlet. However, now the focus is on the
opportunity to teach my craft. I hope to share the joy I have had in watching my nieces cut
Nancy Busch, ISFA Executive Director nancy@isfanow.org
34 • Vol. 13 / Issue 4 • International Surface Fabricators Association
ISFA Events & Training
Because of the ongoing uncertainty caused by the pandemic and the instruction by federal, state and local officials to avoid travel where possible, ISFA events will remain virtual for at least the first part of the year. However, some live events are potentially in the works for the latter part of the year when it is expected that safe travel will be able to resume. Virtual Shop Tours Program Sponsored by Park Industries Zoom-based tours of fabrication facilities will be held monthly throughout the year ASST in McSherrytown, Pa., will be he first tour of 2021 January 13 at 1 p.m. EST. www.isfanow.org/shop-tour ISFA Annual Conference & Meeting Sponsored by GranQuartz, Park Industries, Infinity Surfaces, Crossville and Integra Adhesives Cancun, Mexico Fall 2021 For additional information and registration options, please visit www. isfanow.org or email nancy@isfanow.org.
