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October 31, 2012 — Trick or Treat?

As the Wicked Witch in the Wizard of Oz said as she was melting “Oh, what a world, what a world!”  This week certainly evokes that emotion in me!

The natural disaster of Hurricane Sandy has cast a sobering pall over a frenzy of political campaigning nationally.  As Governor Christie in New Jersey famously replied to a question about the upcoming election logistics in the face of the Jersey Shore devastation “I don’t give a damn about the elections”.  With millions of people in darkness and thousands homeless, slinging barbs at opponents seems even more petty.

Certainly we are not strangers to natural disasters in this country, but the extent of the impact of this storm – witness the monstrous wave in Lake Michigan on our own shore — has put people on edge.  Disaster movies that create graphics of beaches covering cities have nothing on the actual shots we have seen in the past two days.  Towns burning beyond the reach of first responders, flooded subways creating underground rivers — these are reminders that nature preceded man on the planet and will be here long after we are gone.

But when we return to our mundane lives after having been so chastened, it is still a children’s holiday and they have the ability to turn our thoughts to silly, lighter things.  Dressing up, candy corn, school parties and scary stories are fun and healthy.  All of us have memories of these holidays that take us back to our own childhood, a simpler time (maybe?) or at least a time without the weight of adult concerns.  I am looking forward to seeing the neighbors’ children at the door tonight, even if they are bundled from head to toe against the cold winds that Sandy left behind.

And the other thing that October brings is the end of our company’s fiscal year!  The face of our business has changed so greatly over the past five years that I often think the generation before us wouldn’t recognize us if they walked in the door today.  We have been transformed by choice – not tragedy like the Jersey Shore – but transformed nonetheless.  And after surviving the downturn in the economy we are disposed to look around with a more childlike eye and see the possibilities ahead of us. Our market has expanded, our products have increased, and we are welcoming new ideas every day!

Thanks to all with gratitude for the continued support of our many customers, partners and coworkers.  Hopefully nature’s tricks are behind us and the country will move next week to elect leaders with integrity and vision as the ultimate treat.

Cathie Cushing Duff

One of the third generation membership owners at Cushing, Cathie has been active in the organization since 1975. A graduate of the University of Toronto (St. Michael’s College) she attended the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and has been a guest lecturer at the University of Illinois School of Business. A Past President of the North Central Reprographic Association and International Reprographic Association, she has served on the ReproMAX Association and Chicago Family Business Council Boards. When not exploring print and digital communications, her passions are family, knitting and crocheting. Visit Cathie’s Google + profile.

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