| Paper Presence: Pick Lucky Green Slip & Save 10% to 50% through St. Paddy’s Day |
 Greetings Friends and Neighbors:The warmer weather in the last few days has got more people thinking about and yearning for Spring, especially after that huge snowstorm that created so much hardship for many. I hope by now that everyone has their power back, has cleared away the tree limbs and has begun to restore or repair their damaged properties (and their distressed spirits). Personally, I enjoy all the seasons, but Spring is definitely my favorite time of year with its symbolic and beautiful cues from Nature that signal rebirth and renewal. For some, St Patrick’s Day, (Pub Crawl or not) with its great green theme, is the harbinger, just before the actual Vernal Equinox, that ushers us into Spring. Being part Irish, I have fond remembrances of my fun-loving Uncle Don, who was proud of his Irish heritage and dressed completely in green on that day, even going so far as to dye everything green, including his hair, buttons, shoelaces, shoes, socks, and (he claimed) his underwear. He would always show up at our house in his full regalia, green papered beer can in hand with a box of green cupcakes or donuts. He started a tradition at his workplace on St. Patrick’s Day and got everyone regardless of race, nationality or status to be Irish for the day with green outfits in a spirit of camaraderie. Over the years, it became a fun competition to see who could outdo the other with their outrageous attire or decorations. I have never been as conspicuously green on this day, but I still embrace the holiday in the spirit of light-hearted fun (but not heavy-handed drinking) right after the blue days of winter. For those who want to cash in on some Irish luck, I’ve got some special savings through St. Paddy’s Day. When you pick a lucky green slip at checkout, you will receive 10% to 50% off your entire purchase. Spring gives us an opportunity to think green in many ways, especially when it comes to being aware of our impact on this beautiful planet that sustains us. Some may think that a purveyor of paper goods is not the most eco-friendly business to be in. Yet, I have, from the beginning, been making a conscious effort to purchase products that are as eco-friendly as possible and we all know that paper is better than plastic when it comes to the biodegradable factor. Most of my vendors, at the very least, use pulp from sustainably managed forests, and many have been making a commitment to revamp their manufacturing processes towards recycled materials, soy-based inks and greener sources of energy. One of my favorite vendors is a company called Tree Free Greetings. Most of their beautiful cards and envelopes are produced from at least 50% recycled paper and post consumer waste or are made completely from sources like sugarcane, kenaf, bamboo or recycled wood pulp with soy-based inks. They also offer a great line of plantable greetings with a detachable ornament with embedded wildflower seeds. Many of my gift wrap offerings are also made from recycled materials or are handmade from cotton, silk, mulberry leaf or other non-wood fibers. I have also been bringing in more letterpress note cards and now offer affordable letterpress invitations. These are mostly made from recovered cotton fibers that have a wonderful tactile feel with lovely hand-pressed images. So, think green, think Spring and do what you can to be a conscious consumer. Shopping locally helps. When you can, please help Beacon to thrive by supporting the wonderful array of unique shops and eating establishments right here on Main Street. Hope to see your smiling faces soon. Lydia Lynch Paper Presence 133 Main Street Beacon, NY 12508 845-849-2443 |