I’m No Superstar

I’m No Superstar is a blog for people like me who want to make a difference in the world but know they aren’t activists. Each post contains a social action idea that most of us could do, a book that’s worth reading, or a link to a website that offers other ideas. Oh, and it’s all introduced by a sometimes quirky story from my life.

We don’t even need restaurant gift cards this year

We love to eat. (I’m referring to my husband, Les, and me, but maybe it’s true for you too.) We love to go out to restaurants, to try new dishes, new flavors, new ethnic dishes. And we have some old favorites, too, restaurants and dishes we return to again and again. Anyone who has gotten

The Chance to Give Extraordinarily

Friday, November 16, is a big day in Lancaster County! It’s the annual Extraordinary Give (#extragive) sponsored by the Lancaster County Community Foundation. The foundation puts up a financial pie of $500,000, and 500 community organizations get a piece of the pie proportionate to the funds they raise in this one day through the Extraordinary Give!

Plan Now for Your Best Christmas Ever—With Gifts That Make a Difference

Every year Les and I go to the Gifts That Give Hope Alternative Gift Fair. We eat great food. Browse the information on nonprofits and choose meaningful gift donations for various family members and friends. Explore the unique fair trade gifts, clothing and chocolates offered. Maybe listen to a musical group. It’s an amazing event.

Don’t Panic—Great Gifts in a Minute!

It’s crunch time! Do you still have people to buy Christmas presents for? Likely they are people who “already have everything” or “really don’t want anything.” I’ve got the perfect solution. Give them something heartwarming that they don’t have to store, use, clean or display. Give them an alternative gift. Give a woman in Burundi fabric

Do You Want Your Christmas to Have a Double Meaning?

The Christmas craze has begun! I am working a couple of days a week at Ten Thousand Villages, and we’ve been prepping for Saturday’s Bag Sale. Everything in the store is 20% off and all of the merchandise is fair-trade, providing the artisans with a living wage. It’s a great way to purchase beautiful handcrafted

Your Turn: Share How You Share in This Season

Are you bemoaning the Christmas decorations and carols and commercials that have already overrun the idea of Thanksgiving? I have to admit that when I saw Christmas decor for sale in Costco in August, I was appalled. But now I am embracing the season and even seeing how it fits with my idea of Thanksgiving.

Pack a Backpack or Two

In a former lifetime (at least it seems so), I worked in retail. Spent lots of time in children’s departments and as a buyer for kids’ clothes. (In fact my office door sign said, “Buyer, Boys 4–7,” which sounds pretty strange when you think about it.) So I have lots of back-to-school sale memories (or

Celebrating Women the World Over—Including Lancaster

Reading Marie Curie and Her Daughters, by Shelley Emling, this week, I found out that Irene Curie, Marie’s daughter and a Nobel Prize winner in her own right, was the main speaker at an International Women’s Day event in London in the late 1940s. It resonated with me . . .

 

Have Carol Speak For Your Group

An accomplished and flexible speaker, Carol tailors her topics to fit the theme and timeframes of your meeting, conference, seminar or retreat.