Jerrol's journal july 2017

Celebrating Our 70th Year in Business

July 2017

“Your Jerrol’s Journal” Our Iron Clad Guarantee: If you ever wait in line longer than 4 minutes, we will give you $20 on the spot!!

Help Us to Improve!.......If we fail to meet your expectations in any way please call me, Rolf Williams, on my direct line at (509) 899-0120 111 E University Way ● Ellensburg, WA 98926 ● Phone: (800) 858-2427 ● (509) 925-9851 ● Fax (509) 962-2131 ● www.Jerrols.com

Table of Contents…

Gerik Graduates ................................Page 1 70th Anniversary Party .....................Page 2 Jerrol’s Summer Intern .....................Page 2 Gerik Continued ...............................Page 3 Craft of the Month ............................Page 3

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Our Core Values

Gerik Graduates Gerik, our son, graduated from Kittitas High School on Friday, June 9th. It wasn’t your typical graduation because, as you may know, Gerik is not your typical kid. He was diagnosed with Autism at age 5, 2 years after having started school at age 3. So after 18 years attending the Kittitas Schools, Gerik reached the age where he can no longer attend school. Some families like ours call it “aging out of the system.”

As he walked down the hall for the last time on that Friday the entire school came out to cheer him on. He gave them highfives as he walked to the car smiling the whole way. It was a surprise to both Michelle and I, but I am glad that we were there to see the support and recognition he received. Kittitas is a small district, but they more then make up for it with the size of their heart.

Gerik headed out of school for the last time with his classmates cheering him on.

1. Help

Ralla Vickers was one of the first people who entered Gerik’s educational life as his Developmental Pre-School teacher. I’ll never forget when she told us that she knew Gerik was here to teach us something. She didn’t know what that was, but she was sure of it, and she was right.

He has taught me patience, what true courage looks like, and how to be brave.

You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.

-Zig Ziglar

We help:   

Our Clients Our Team Our Community

You know it is time to graduate when you don’t fit on the bus!!

More Gerik on page 3

The 70th Anniversary Party!!

Over 1,600 scoops of Grandpa Don’s Root Beer Float Ice Cream were handed out in a single day during our 70th Anniversary Party last month on Wednesday, June 21st. Grandma Irene, Grandpa Don, and Dad would have been proud to see how many people came by to say ‘Hi”.

It is my favorite event of the year. To hear your stories and to meet everyone that has such fond memories of the store is an amazing experience.

Every year our Team tells me how much they have come to understand our legacy by listening and watching Clients as they go through our history display.

This year we saw a woman standing in front of the display about Dad. She was crying as she remembered him and thought about what he meant to her. Another gentleman told me about watching how Grandma and Grandpa raised my uncle Rolf who had cerebral palsy. They wouldn’t help him get up when he fell. This really bothered him at the time, but he realized later this “Tough Love” is what allowed him to get a doctorate degree, and run the Berkeley CA special ed program.

Meet Our Summer Intern!

4th Generation Jerrol’s I’m back! Last summer, I worked as Front line helping clients and learning about the amazing town that is Ellensburg. This summer, I am working with my uncle Rolf learning the inner workings of Jerrol’s and continuing my growing interest in this beloved store in the community and that I have grown up loving.

I am excited that I was able to return to Ellensburg for my second summer. During the school year I actually go to school in Brush Prairie, WA, where I will be completing my last year of high school starting September. After high Codi Fortier, Jerrol’s intern school I plan on and 4th generation Jerrol’s. attending Central Washington University and hopefully becoming a permeant team member at Jerrol’s.

Some of the duties I will be taking over at Jerrol’s for the summer is doing the Daily Reports—where we find out how much we have sold, going to the bank and post office on a daily basis, responding to Royalty Rewards comments, Regularly posting on Facebook for our page, and editing the monthly newsletter.

I am grateful that Rolf and the amazing team was able to welcome me back with open arms and allowed me to work with such kind hearted team members. I look forward with my future with Jerrol’s and continuing to be apart of an amazing town.

-Codi Fortier

Jean Skibeness stopped by for some ice cream and walked through the store pointing out where the lunch counter booths and grill used to be located.

She worked at Jerrol’s Handy Stop with Grandma, Grandpa, dad and Uncle Rolf during the 1950’s.

Codi is the 4th member of the 4th generation to work at Jerrol’s. Each has had to go through our entire interview process and pass all of our assessments in order to earn a position on our Team.

- Rolf

Gerik from page 1

Corrie’s Craft of the Month Recycled Pill Bottles

The list of people who have touched Gerik’s life through school is huge: Leslie Bray, LaDonna Fogle, Andrea Hurson, Maria Doughtry, Suzanne Rector, Laurie DeFord, Barb Schmitt and Collen Mathis to mention just a hand full. You are the heroes of Gerik’s school career. You each added a dimension to Gerik’s learning and growing, each believing in his abilities and aptitudes, each contributing to the 20 year old man he has become.

We are aware of several people who have gone on to become Special Ed teachers after being involved with Gerik’s program. It might just be that Gerik helped show and teach them what their career path needed to be.

I already miss taking Gerik to school. I miss watching him walk independently from the truck to the school; such a little thing perhaps, but it symbolically showed me how far he has come.

How much time do we spend digging for stuff in our purses? Too much? Here is a simple and cute way to organize all the little things in the bottom of your purse.

As Gerik is turning over a new leaf, I am now taking him to work at an organization called the Trellis Center where he works in agriculture. It’s a program he started last year in school and is providing an amazing setting for him to continue growing and learning. You can learn more about Trellis at www.thetrelliscenter.com

Supplies

In the end he is just like any other kid.

Gerik just took a little longer. Now that he has left the school system to start a new chapter in his life, it will be one filled with work, play, and people who are interested in learning what Gerik has to teach them while helping him continue to learn grow and be as independent as possible.

-Rolf

Old pill bottles Fancy paper Modge Podge Paintbrush or foam brush Paint Directions 1. Peel off any stickers on your pill bottle.

2. Paint the lids a pretty color.

3. Cut a piece of fancy paper to fit around pill bottle.

4. Glue paper to bottle with Modge Podge and put another layer of Modge Podge over the paper. Let dry.

5. Fill with whatever turns your fancy…

Bobby pins, loose change, gum, head phones, chargers etc...

Have fun!!!

-Corrie Ihrke You can reach Corrie at Corrie@Jerrols.com

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ELLENSBURG WA PERMIT NO. 2

111 E University Way Ellensburg, WA 98926 (509) 925-9851 • 800 858-2427 Info@Jerrols.com www.Jerrols.com

Autism

Comments From Our Clients “Best customer service anywhere! I love shopping at Jerrol's; they have unique items, knowledgeable and friendly staff, and a great selection. I love the family history; this place is truly run like a family business should be!

-Bambi Miller- Rewards Member “I liked how kind the staff was when our 2 kids under 5 were super excited to be in the bookstore. They were great!’’

-Nicole Fosnes - Rewards Member “I liked that the staff knew me by name and greeted me as soon as I walked in the store.”

- China Paulman- Rewards Member “An enjoyable experience as always. Staff members are always friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to assist customers as well as co-workers. They are a true convince and I look forward to my next visit!”

- Brittany Saboe- Rewards Member