Welcome to the middle of November already!

In this issue Bob Barry offers an article on Customer Service with VERY important reminders for when traffic is slower. We also showcase a one store operator from New Orleans Sal Saputo.  Then meet Diane Peters who happens to be a new board member, but is no stranger to this newsletter in our board member profile. Wants and Offerings and more. Please read on and let us know what you think editor@formaltimes.com   Sal Saputo of J & L Formal Wear of New Orleans, LA It was a cold gray day in the Midwest earlier this week when I had the opportunity to talk to Sal Saputo of J & L Formal Wear. The bright 70 degrees there in the New Orleans area radiated through the phone lines in his enthusiasm and candor for “the business.” Mr. Saputo was one of the many new faces I met in Las Vegas. If there is one thing that a national convention provides, it is the chance to meet industry people. Everyone who attends has that common thread that binds us be large or small operator, domestic or foreign; we all have much to learn in hearing how others cope with issues that arise in our industry. The first opportunity to meet Sal Saputo was at one of Bob Barry’s seminars on Attracting Hiring and Training Top Salespeople. Mr. Saputo made everyone laugh at one point when having qualified sales people was being discussed, and he stated that he wanted his employees to know he valued them. “I could not do this without them, when I am tired of the baggy pants, tattooed and smart mouth kids in the store!” he explained. Bob’s answer with a chuckle to that statement was a resounding “You definitely should leave the waiting on the customers to your employees then. Do what you do best.” Their wasn’t a person in the room that could not relate to the sometimes tiring aspects of this business. The threat of Hurricane Gustav sent Mr. Saputo home early that trip, but as you will learn he is no stranger to that threat. Sal Saputo formal wear career began back in 1970 while still in high school working for his uncle Jim who started the business in 1954. His uncle was an executive for the Wembly Tie Company and over the years had developed a nice wholesale tuxedo business through his connections in that trade. Sal’s first job besides cleaning shoes of course was to help with shipping. This was at a time before UPS and Fed Ex, so deliveries were done all over Louisiana and Mississippi by Greyhound and Trailway Bus. His job of packing boxes and getting them to the bus station paid a solid $1 an hour! This was a good alternative to working much harder for his father in construction for no pay, so it all began. Tuxedo rentals then were $12 not changing until the mid 70’s to $25 with the introduction of all of those famous colored coats and ruffled shirts. In 1989 he bought the business from his uncle and later opened a second store. The original store had a full dry cleaning plant, so all cleaning and prep for both stores was done at that location. New Orleans has a broad variety of Black Tie events besides the typical weddings and proms. The 2 weeks preceding Mardi Gras there is not a tuxedo left to be rented in the city with all of the black tie balls sponsored by all of the local organizations. Another event right before prom season is the St. Joseph’s Day celebration in the middle of March. Mr. Saputo explains: “Our organization The Italian American Marching Club is unique in that we have incorporated the focal point of New Orleans' festive culture, the parade, into our love of our Italian heritage. We do this in celebration of St. Joseph's Day each year. The evening begins with pizza, wine, and Italian music, and then the marchers who number as many as 700 all dressed in black tuxedos, proceed to parade through New Orleans' famous French Quarter. Thousands of locals and tourists line the streets to take part in our celebration. We exchange salutations, hand out silk flowers and fava beans, and dance and sing with the bystanders. We follow the parade with a gala in the grand ballroom of the New Orleans Hilton, where our beautiful, young Italian signorinas are presented. We sip the wine and dance the Tarantella all night long. .”     It has not been all celebration for J & L Formal Wear two hurricanes have left their lasting impact on this business. Hurricane Katrina as we all know was a heartbreaking natural disaster compounded further by man made mismanagement issues and like so many other New Orleans businesses Sal Saputo lost a lot! The family had been evacuated to Hot Springs Arkansas in an arduous 15 hour journey which should have taken 3 or 4. Left to watch and wait like so many others they had no real idea what they would return to. What Sal found was a mixture of good and bad. The original location was on one side of the levee, his new store on the other. When those 20 year old levees let go after the storm 6 feet of water filled that first store with the dry cleaning facility. To see his livelihood covered in mud, muck and who knows what else was compounded by the smell of loss everywhere. The area was almost unrecognizable and virtually gone. One of the most vivid memories for him of that homecoming was the eerie silence, not a bird, or a dog barking or children or street noises just silence and darkness as night fell with no electricity. The inside of the store was destroyed including the boiler, washing machines, presses, dry cleaning machine and almost all of the coats and pants. Nothing was where he had left it either, the water had made its own paths and moved everything haphazardly around the rooms. Amazingly upstairs was untouched. All of his shirts and miscellaneous items stored there were completely undamaged even after 2 weeks! The task of cleaning up and seeing what was salvageable was long and dirty. The piles of discarded ruined equipment and stock were heaped by the curb to be picked up by the city. Small stretches of humor could still be found now and then among the volunteers when one of Sal’s nephews dressed one of the ruined dirty mannequins with ruined dirty tuxedo accessories and positioned it in the broken front store window. The forlorn looking mannequin had a picture taken by one of the many media covering the loss and it ended up in a magazine. No flood insurance like so many in the area left Sal Saputo with some big decisions to make. Miraculously the new store was undamaged and in his quest to persevere he chose to scale back salvage what he could and not try to reopen the original store. His future was now in the new store location only and that is where he concentrated his efforts to put life as he knew it back together. Sadly, much of the area that original store was located still remains vacant mired in government red tape and lack of funds to try to rebuild. The future will only tell. In thinking about his life before and after Katrina he speaks optimistically about some things that are better. All dry cleaning now is sent out. He no longer has the responsibility of keeping all of that equipment up and running. His knowledge of the cleaning process gives him an advantage of knowing how to care for his stock, but not be responsible for the environmental and mechanical issues involved. Mr. Saputo spends a great deal of his time in the store getting the suits ready along with quality control. His clientele rent over half of his total year round rentals in white and ivory. All of that white and ivory business makes his dry cleaning knowledge even more valuable. He pre spots all of his pants and coats before sending them to the cleaners to maintain first quality goods.     Last year during the first week of prom season he had another run with bad luck when an under the influence teen backed his car into his store! The guy had been going full speed in reverse for about ½ a block before crashing into the store so far that only a little of the front end was outside. He hit the wall where the completed tuxedos were hanging, but amazingly did not ruin ALL of them. Sal’s family is in the construction business and luckily he had connections to get everything repaired within a week during that busy critical period. He has continued to bring the business back and reports he added brown Parisian for spring. He states that October was busy, but September was hurt by hurricane Ike. The store lost 2 weekends of business with evacuation and return times canceling all events for both weeks. Some have been able to rebook, but others remain in limbo as brides work around events previously scheduled. Ike also brought damage to the roof of his shop when a taller building next door had a brick wall collapse from the storm onto his shop. Those repairs are complete and hurricane season is now past so he is looking forward to the coming season ahead. Sal Saputo and J & L Formal Wear have been through a lot, but in speaking to him he remains positive and optimistic of the future. Very few of us have had it easy in this life or the industry we all share, but it is how you handle what you are given that makes you “better.” Small businesses continue to be the backbone of our country and the International Formalwear Association wishes this small businessman well.

Customer Service Is Alive and Well

By Bob Barry Many of us read articles that say “Customer Service is Dead”. We disagree. In our recent travels we have found some tuxedo and bridal organizations that simply shine in the area of Customer service. Some of the things we have seen: The greeter : one shop has a bubbly young women meeting each customer at the door with a smile and a warm welcome,. She introduces herself to the customer and then introduces them to the store. Once comfortable she turns them over to a sales associate Coffee: There are a lot of us that enjoy a nice fresh cup of coffee. One shop has a cool machine that takes a little packet and turns it into a delicious brew of coffee in 2 minutes. Customers love it! Another store has been working hard in focusing on the first 7 minutes where they ask some great questions about the customers tux event and need but also “dig” for a connection – the connection might be a similar interest, a tie to a school, a sports team and in one case the tux person found out that they had the same type of dog as the customer. This may sound funny – but once a connection is made you are dealing with a friend- not a customer – give it a try One client in Ireland looks to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere and looks to create a feeling of welcoming someone into their home. They also focus on housekeeping to make the stores spotless at all time One wonderful east coast operation always has the owner front and center during peak times to insure that the level of customer service is high and consistent for every customer. In an effort to serve our customers better than they are served anywhere ask your team to take a piece of paper and write down where they get great service in town. Then have them write down 3 things that happen that drive this solid customer service – take the full list and review it with the team- how can we implement these same practices in our tux shop? Excellence in Customer Service takes effort and a focus on continuous improvement – Let’s go for it!   By Bob Barry Many of us read articles that say “Customer Service is Dead”. We disagree. In our recent travels we have found some tuxedo and bridal organizations that simply shine in the area of Customer service. Some of the things we have seen: The greeter : one shop has a bubbly young women meeting each customer at the door with a smile and a warm welcome,. She introduces herself to the customer and then introduces them to the store. Once comfortable she turns them over to a sales associate Coffee: There are a lot of us that enjoy a nice fresh cup of coffee. One shop has a cool machine that takes a little packet and turns it into a delicious brew of coffee in 2 minutes. Customers love it! Another store has been working hard in focusing on the first 7 minutes where they ask some great questions about the customers tux event and need but also “dig” for a connection – the connection might be a similar interest, a tie to a school, a sports team and in one case the tux person found out that they had the same type of dog as the customer. This may sound funny – but once a connection is made you are dealing with a friend- not a customer – give it a try One client in Ireland looks to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere and looks to create a feeling of welcoming someone into their home. They also focus on housekeeping to make the stores spotless at all time One wonderful east coast operation always has the owner front and center during peak times to insure that the level of customer service is high and consistent for every customer. In an effort to serve our customers better than they are served anywhere ask your team to take a piece of paper and write down where they get great service in town. Then have them write down 3 things that happen that drive this solid customer service – take the full list and review it with the team- how can we implement these same practices in our tux shop? Excellence in Customer Service takes effort and a focus on continuous improvement – Let’s go for it!

Board Member Profile

Name and family information: I am Diane Peters, I am raising my 15 year old niece Amanda,( if someone has the hand book on that, could you email it to me) she has been with me now for 3 years and a Golden Retriever named Emma, and 2 cats Background years in the industry company etc? I started in the formalwear business in 1988 as production manager for Ducky's Formalwear in Rock Island IL owned by Steve Anthony. I worked my way through different positions in the company. I moved to Florida for 1 1/2 years looking for something different, working in the Fort Lauderdale area for Sacino's. I missed my big family a lot during that time and moved back to the Midwest and to Ducky's. In 2000 I bought into the business and became partners with Steve Anthony in a new location we opened in Dekalb IL about an hour out of Chicago. We partnered for another 5 years then an opportunity came up to purchase one of his stores outright and here I am in Galesburg IL! What part of the business is your favorite? The connection with the customers that one store provides! To see the look on their faces as they gush over their wedding or prom photos ... about how we helped make everything perfect! Creating those relationships. What part is your least favorite? Paper work! Where would you like to see yourself in five years? I hope the economy allows me to continue doing this; it is my passion and my hobby! How long have you been on the IFA board? I was nominated in August of this year What are your main focuses or committees you serve on? Membership. Retention ,as well developing and informing new members about the benefits of association. We are lucky enough to have an association open to everyone in our industry with a passion about what they do! In a perfect world what would you like to see change with the IFA? Everyone in the industry become a member. Regardless of their affiliation with other organizations, we as a whole could do so many great things. We have made great progress, but there are so many good people out there with so many exciting ideas; we just need more involvement to act on them. Any volunteers?? Who have you met through the board that you did not know before being a member? If I haven't met you, please come introduce yourself..i want to hear your story. How can members of the board become more accessible to people in the industry? I answer the IFA number if you call the IFA 309-721-5450 I’m all yours. I handle all the phone inquiries that come into the organization, so I am readily accessible most any time. If I don't know the answer I will find it out for you. ?? Can you tie a bowtie?? Yes of course What are your thoughts on what we can do to remain competitive as small operators? Customer service!! Listen to your customers, be responsive to their needs. We as smaller operators are at such an advantage. Keep unique items in your store. camo, zebra, bright colored coats, wow items that will keep customers talking to their friends. What does your company do better than your competition? Customer service!!! My cell number goes out on every tuxedo that leaves my store; my customers know they are what keeps my business operating and that I appreciate them. Give me a favorite quote or motto you live by. Be happy in this moment....this moment is your life. Favorite things to do outside of formalwear? Travel, see new places and meet new people. Mentor or source of greatest support? My parents / family have been a true inspiration and support. I'm one of 7 children, raised on a farm in Middle America. I was taught from a young age to work hard and the rewards of life will come....I'm proud of the work I do… (I just wish there were a few more hours in a day in April and May)..my family is there every step of the way encouraging me. My sister Becky, the editor of this newsletter will edit out anything bad I want to tell you about her, but seriously I could not do this each and every day without her! Thoughts or ending remarks to get to know you and remember you by? My parents have taught me so many things in this life and one that always stays with me and hopefully epitomizes my theory on life is: You reap what you sew, so sew well. You only live once!   Name and family information: I am Diane Peters, I am raising my 15 year old niece Amanda,( if someone has the hand book on that, could you email it to me) she has been with me now for 3 years and a Golden Retriever named Emma, and 2 cats Background years in the industry company etc? I started in the formalwear business in 1988 as production manager for Ducky's Formalwear in Rock Island IL owned by Steve Anthony. I worked my way through different positions in the company. I moved to Florida for 1 1/2 years looking for something different, working in the Fort Lauderdale area for Sacino's. I missed my big family a lot during that time and moved back to the Midwest and to Ducky's. In 2000 I bought into the business and became partners with Steve Anthony in a new location we opened in Dekalb IL about an hour out of Chicago. We partnered for another 5 years then an opportunity came up to purchase one of his stores outright and here I am in Galesburg IL! What part of the business is your favorite? The connection with the customers that one store provides! To see the look on their faces as they gush over their wedding or prom photos ... about how we helped make everything perfect! Creating those relationships. What part is your least favorite? Paper work! Where would you like to see yourself in five years? I hope the economy allows me to continue doing this; it is my passion and my hobby! How long have you been on the IFA board? I was nominated in August of this year What are your main focuses or committees you serve on? Membership. Retention ,as well developing and informing new members about the benefits of association. We are lucky enough to have an association open to everyone in our industry with a passion about what they do! In a perfect world what would you like to see change with the IFA? Everyone in the industry become a member. Regardless of their affiliation with other organizations, we as a whole could do so many great things. We have made great progress, but there are so many good people out there with so many exciting ideas; we just need more involvement to act on them. Any volunteers?? Who have you met through the board that you did not know before being a member? If I haven't met you, please come introduce yourself..i want to hear your story. How can members of the board become more accessible to people in the industry? I answer the IFA number if you call the IFA 309-721-5450 I’m all yours. I handle all the phone inquiries that come into the organization, so I am readily accessible most any time. If I don't know the answer I will find it out for you. ?? Can you tie a bowtie?? Yes of course What are your thoughts on what we can do to remain competitive as small operators? Customer service!! Listen to your customers, be responsive to their needs. We as smaller operators are at such an advantage. Keep unique items in your store. camo, zebra, bright colored coats, wow items that will keep customers talking to their friends. What does your company do better than your competition? Customer service!!! My cell number goes out on every tuxedo that leaves my store; my customers know they are what keeps my business operating and that I appreciate them. Give me a favorite quote or motto you live by. Be happy in this moment....this moment is your life. Favorite things to do outside of formalwear? Travel, see new places and meet new people. Mentor or source of greatest support? My parents / family have been a true inspiration and support. I'm one of 7 children, raised on a farm in Middle America. I was taught from a young age to work hard and the rewards of life will come....I'm proud of the work I do… (I just wish there were a few more hours in a day in April and May)..my family is there every step of the way encouraging me. My sister Becky, the editor of this newsletter will edit out anything bad I want to tell you about her, but seriously I could not do this each and every day without her! Thoughts or ending remarks to get to know you and remember you by? My parents have taught me so many things in this life and one that always stays with me and hopefully epitomizes my theory on life is: You reap what you sew, so sew well. You only live once!

Wants And Offerings!

Wanted to Buy:   Elly's Formal Wear & Bridals in Maui, Hawaii We are looking for: *Perry Ellis Sterling (black on black pinstripe) 2 button Notch black coats and matching pants. mostly short sizes and some regulars *Perry Ellis America 2 button Notch Champagne color tuxedos with matching pants looking for all sizes Please email attention to Terri Ah Chin at the info below: email 1: terri@ellysformalwear.com email 2: info@ellysformalwear.com --Thank you very much! Mahalo! Terri H Ah Chin, VP =========================== Elly's Formal Wear & Bridals Salon 1770 S. Kihei Road Kihei, Maui, HI 96753 Ph: (808) 879.7010 Fax: (808) 879.7280 Toll Free: 1.888.522.5477 Mobile: (808) 283.1114 www.ellysformalwear.com email 1: terri@ellysformalwear.com email 2: info@ellysformalwear.com   Hi, We are in quick need of a few Black 2 button After Six Shawl Rainbow coats. We could use one each of the following sizes for purchase.  54R, 56R, 58R, 58L, 60L, 62L   Thanks you, Mark Needham tuxedo101@aol.com The Formal House, Inc. 1400 N. State St. Bellingham, WA  98225   Phone 360-733-2560 Fax 360-733-2631 Web Site www.formalhouse.com    We are looking to fill in our inventory in the following styles: ~ La Vida ~ Enchantment Navy FB Vest with Bow & Euro Ties & Solid Pocket Squares Please contact Sara at info@thetuxstoretuxedoplace.com Thank you! -- The Tux Store/Tuxedo Place www.thetuxstoretuxedoplace.com   For Sale   OFFERED FOR SALE   IVORY ECKO PANTS NEW  34 WAIST  15 PAIR  @ 10.00   BLK CHRISTIAN DIOR PARISIAN  82TUX  94TAILS  75DB PEAK   125 MAT PANTS CALL SAL WITH OFFER I KNOW THERE OLD BUT THEY WERE MADE IN THE USA SO THEY ARE LIKE STEEL 504 340-4544 J & L NOLA     .   Offered Brand New Joseph Abboud Black Satin vests All sizes available $8 each Call Maria 617-839-8034 Russo Tux shop   President Tuxedo has for Sale: • Marcozzi – Carlo 5 button – black • After Six – black / white Celebration notch • Andrew Fezza – Red Monaco 2 button – Red • Raffinati Double Breasted Shawl – Black • Raffinati Double Breasted Peak – Black • Oscar DeLa Renta Dimensions 1 button shawl – Black • Oscar De La Renta Dimensions Double Breasted Shawl – Black • Pierre Cardin – 4 Silver Button Notch – Black • Ralph Lauren – 2 Button Peak – Black • Marcozzi – Retro Lapel 4 Button – Black • Marcozzi – Fly Front Lapel- Black SHIRTS Devin Michaels White Banded Collar Shirts – Poly Cotton- All Sizes. Devin Michaels Ivory Banded Collar Shirts –Poly Cotton - All Sizes. Vest & Ties • Bill Blass Legends Collection – All colors – Full Back Vest , ½ Back Vest, Bow Ties and Windsor Ties. All Sizes Available . Contact for quantities. • Desmond Chateau Collection – All colors – Full Back Vest, ½ Back Vest, Bow Ties and Windsor Ties. All Sizes Available. Contact for quantities. • Desmond Collection - All colors – Full Back Vest, ½ Back Vest, Bow Ties and Windsor Ties. All Sizes Available. Contact for quantities. • Atlantis Collection – All Colors – ½ Back Vests, Bow Ties and Windsor Ties. All Sizes Available. Contact for quantities. • Mel Howard International Collection – All Colors – ½ Back Vests, Bow Ties and Euro Ties. All Sizes available. Contact for quantities. • Tallia Cumber Vest Collection – All Colors – Ones size fits all Cumber Vest with matching bow ties. Like NEW! BEST OFFER!!!! Please Contact Jen Porter – President Tuxedo 586-264-3400 Ext. 206  For Sale: By Black Tie Chicago IL Black Gold Sienna Paisley Windsor Ties in 14 Colors $6 each Black    48 Bali Lavender    24 Silver    30 Cornflower    24 Platinum    24 Celedon    30 Rivera Cafe    30 Candlelight    18 Petal Pink    24 Kiwi    24 Chocolate    24 Spice Red    30 Royal    24 White    18   Thanks,   Sam Carlson Black Tie Formalwear 708-423-3530 Fax 708-423-3533 sam@blacktietuxes.com Looking For Advice I AM INTERESTED IN THE WEDDING DRESS BUSINESS.  IF YOU COULD ADVISE ME OR GIVE ME A LIST OF PERIODICALS I WOULD APPRECIATE IT.   IRA COLEMAN COLEMAN'S TUXEDOS 649 MORRIS TWP SPRINGFELD  NJ 07079 973-568-5238 IRATUX@AOL.COM Wanted to Buy:   Elly's Formal Wear & Bridals in Maui, Hawaii We are looking for: *Perry Ellis Sterling (black on black pinstripe) 2 button Notch black coats and matching pants. mostly short sizes and some regulars *Perry Ellis America 2 button Notch Champagne color tuxedos with matching pants looking for all sizes Please email attention to Terri Ah Chin at the info below: email 1: terri@ellysformalwear.com email 2: info@ellysformalwear.com --Thank you very much! Mahalo! Terri H Ah Chin, VP =========================== Elly's Formal Wear & Bridals Salon 1770 S. Kihei Road Kihei, Maui, HI 96753 Ph: (808) 879.7010 Fax: (808) 879.7280 Toll Free: 1.888.522.5477 Mobile: (808) 283.1114 www.ellysformalwear.com email 1: terri@ellysformalwear.com email 2: info@ellysformalwear.com   Hi, We are in quick need of a few Black 2 button After Six Shawl Rainbow coats. We could use one each of the following sizes for purchase.  54R, 56R, 58R, 58L, 60L, 62L   Thanks you, Mark Needham tuxedo101@aol.com The Formal House, Inc. 1400 N. State St. Bellingham, WA  98225   Phone 360-733-2560 Fax 360-733-2631 Web Site www.formalhouse.com    We are looking to fill in our inventory in the following styles: ~ La Vida ~ Enchantment Navy FB Vest with Bow & Euro Ties & Solid Pocket Squares Please contact Sara at info@thetuxstoretuxedoplace.com Thank you! -- The Tux Store/Tuxedo Place www.thetuxstoretuxedoplace.com   For Sale   OFFERED FOR SALE   IVORY ECKO PANTS NEW  34 WAIST  15 PAIR  @ 10.00   BLK CHRISTIAN DIOR PARISIAN  82TUX  94TAILS  75DB PEAK   125 MAT PANTS CALL SAL WITH OFFER I KNOW THERE OLD BUT THEY WERE MADE IN THE USA SO THEY ARE LIKE STEEL 504 340-4544 J & L NOLA     .   Offered Brand New Joseph Abboud Black Satin vests All sizes available $8 each Call Maria 617-839-8034 Russo Tux shop   President Tuxedo has for Sale: • Marcozzi – Carlo 5 button – black • After Six – black / white Celebration notch • Andrew Fezza – Red Monaco 2 button – Red • Raffinati Double Breasted Shawl – Black • Raffinati Double Breasted Peak – Black • Oscar DeLa Renta Dimensions 1 button shawl – Black • Oscar De La Renta Dimensions Double Breasted Shawl – Black • Pierre Cardin – 4 Silver Button Notch – Black • Ralph Lauren – 2 Button Peak – Black • Marcozzi – Retro Lapel 4 Button – Black • Marcozzi – Fly Front Lapel- Black SHIRTS Devin Michaels White Banded Collar Shirts – Poly Cotton- All Sizes. Devin Michaels Ivory Banded Collar Shirts –Poly Cotton - All Sizes. Vest & Ties • Bill Blass Legends Collection – All colors – Full Back Vest , ½ Back Vest, Bow Ties and Windsor Ties. All Sizes Available . Contact for quantities. • Desmond Chateau Collection – All colors – Full Back Vest, ½ Back Vest, Bow Ties and Windsor Ties. All Sizes Available. Contact for quantities. • Desmond Collection - All colors – Full Back Vest, ½ Back Vest, Bow Ties and Windsor Ties. All Sizes Available. Contact for quantities. • Atlantis Collection – All Colors – ½ Back Vests, Bow Ties and Windsor Ties. All Sizes Available. Contact for quantities. • Mel Howard International Collection – All Colors – ½ Back Vests, Bow Ties and Euro Ties. All Sizes available. Contact for quantities. • Tallia Cumber Vest Collection – All Colors – Ones size fits all Cumber Vest with matching bow ties. Like NEW! BEST OFFER!!!! Please Contact Jen Porter – President Tuxedo 586-264-3400 Ext. 206  For Sale: By Black Tie Chicago IL Black Gold Sienna Paisley Windsor Ties in 14 Colors $6 each Black    48 Bali Lavender    24 Silver    30 Cornflower    24 Platinum    24 Celedon    30 Rivera Cafe    30 Candlelight    18 Petal Pink    24 Kiwi    24 Chocolate    24 Spice Red    30 Royal    24 White    18   Thanks,   Sam Carlson Black Tie Formalwear 708-423-3530 Fax 708-423-3533 sam@blacktietuxes.com Looking For Advice I AM INTERESTED IN THE WEDDING DRESS BUSINESS.  IF YOU COULD ADVISE ME OR GIVE ME A LIST OF PERIODICALS I WOULD APPRECIATE IT.   IRA COLEMAN COLEMAN'S TUXEDOS 649 MORRIS TWP SPRINGFELD  NJ 07079 973-568-5238 IRATUX@AOL.COM

Thoughts for the Weeks Ahead

“Finish each day and be done with it!  You have done what you could.  Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in: forget them as soon as you can.  Tomorrow is a new day: begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”   ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~             “It takes a real storm in the average person’s life to make him realize how much worrying he has done over the squalls.”  ~ Heartland Advisor ~ “Finish each day and be done with it!  You have done what you could.  Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in: forget them as soon as you can.  Tomorrow is a new day: begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”   ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~             “It takes a real storm in the average person’s life to make him realize how much worrying he has done over the squalls.”  ~ Heartland Advisor ~