The difference between winning and losing is always a mental one.

- Peter Thomson - Professional Golfer

Winning Isn't Always Defined by the Final Score

Recently my son and I watched the Harlem Globetrotters play basketball. The game was filled with the usual antics. And as usual, the Globetrotters triumphed in the end. But, as I watched, I began to wonder about the opposing team, the Washington Generals. Was this just a fictitious team or a group of real ballplayers that gave in to the high jinks of their famous opponent? So I did a little research.

The Washington Generals started in 1952 to accompany the Globetrotters on tour. They are a separate organization from the Globetrotters and try to play a serious game of basketball, which most of the time proves ineffective. In fact, since the Generals started they have lost more than 13,000 games. 13,000! But game after game they go back out on the hardwood. So why, with this ever growing number of losses, do they keep coming back? The reason – they have defined winning in a different way. For the Generals it isn't as much the score on the board as it is the enjoyment seen on the faces of those in the stands.

The same thing happened to the Apostle Paul. In 2nd Corinthians he talked of his “losing streak.” During his ministry he was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked and constantly on the move. He talked of being in danger from rivers, bandits, and from his own countrymen, as well as going without food, sleep and clothing. So why did he continue? He also defined winning in a different way. For Paul it was his mission to spread the gospel and win as many as possible for the cause of Christ.

So when you feel like you are on the losing end of the game, don't give up. Look at what good is happening because of your efforts. You may find that what appeared as a huge loss created results that are a much bigger win.

-Mo Shattuck

Marketing Manager

Book Review

Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World

Author: Vicki Myron

When I first started reading this book, my first thoughts were “There is no cat this smart.” Not even my own. But the author's love for Dewey and her co-worker's willingness to care for him certainly made me believe he was something special. And the way the small town in Iowa came together as a support group and people from all over the world came to meet him, well it was quite amazing. It must have been a great loss when he passed away. By the end it turned out to be a great book and I am glad I stayed with it.

Submitted by Rosie Hooper, Order Entry

EXTRA! EXTRA!

• Byron Shattuck (Advertising) and his wife Amanda welcomed their first child together, a daughter, on January 28, 2009. Khloe Elizabeth, weighed in at 6 lbs. 8 oz., 20 inches long. Proud grandparents are Maurie and Pam Shattuck (Emery-Pratt Owner/President.)
• Former Emery-Pratt employee Vlasta Shumaker of Corunna, MI, celebrated her 90th birthday with a gathering of friends and neighbors at Ruth Ann's Diner in Corunna.

2009 Newbery Medal Winner The Graveyard Book ISBN 978-0-06-053092-1 2009 Newbery Honor Books The Underneath ISBN 978-1-416-95058-5 The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom ISBN 978-0-8050-8674-4 Savvy ISBN 978-0-8037-3306-0 After Tupac and D Foster ISBN 978-0-399-24654-8

2009 Caldecott Award The House in the Night ISBN 978-0-618-86244-3 2009 Caldecott Honor Books A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever ISBN 978-0-15-206020-6 How I Learned Geography ISBN 978-0-374-33499-4 A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Wiliams ISBN 978-0-8028-5302-8

In the Spotlight

In this issue of our newsletter we would like to introduce you to Ellen VanderMolen. Ellen started working as an employee at Emery-Pratt 22 years ago. As an Account Manager in our Business Development Department, Ellen's duties include calling active and prospective accounts in both the library and medical markets to offer our services and to see how we can better serve them. Before working in Business Development Ellen worked in our Shipping and Order Entry Departments.

Ellen enjoys cooking, needle crafts, bike riding, walking and working in the yard. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Bert, who she has been married to for 12 years.

Ellen is a team player who works well with other employees. She makes sure that the things that need to get done DO get done. She has a good spirit about her job, and the abilities needed to do her job well.

Thanks Ellen for all your hard work and dedication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Need answers to your frequently asked questions? Find them here in our general question and answer section. If you don't find the answer to your question here, please call us toll-free at 1-800-248-3887.

Q: We are at the end of our fiscal year, can I encumber funds with you?

A: Yes. We would be happy to create a proforma invoice for you. There are two types of proformas available. One states “Books On Order” and has a dollar amount that you provide as the total due. The other will list all your titles on order and has either an estimated amount of those items or a dollar amount that you choose as the total due. On either invoice totals are amounts you provide and can be changed at your discrepancy, however individual line pricing is not available. We will customize to meet your needs if possible. Once we receive your check and the amount shows on your account, invoices will be deducted at your discretion. Once you receive your shipment and everything is okay, you notify us by phone, fax, email or mail to deduct only those invoices that you choose. This gives you total control of your money. For further information on this service please feel free to contact customer service at your convenience.

What's Right With America

With the economy in its current state it would be easy to think about what is wrong in America. So here are some things to show what is right.

• The American economy is almost the size of the next four largest economies on Earth (Japan, Germany, China and Great Britain) combined.
• We have 93% employment and out of 10,000 banks in the U.S., fewer than 25 have gone under in the past year.
• We've gone through a depression, numerous wars, oil shocks, and terrorist attacks and we're still strong and standing.
• Even though a few national retailers have stopped doing business, it doesn't look like we'll be facing a lack of stores anytime in the near future!

So as you hear all the negative reports, keep these thoughts in mind about what is going right.

March is Women's History Month

In recognition of women's many accomplishments throughout history, the U.S. Congress, in 1987, designated the month of March Women's History Month.

Here are a few famous firsts by American Women:

• On October 24, 1901, Annie Edson Taylor, a schoolteacher from Michigan, becomes the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel.
• 1921: American novelist Edith Wharton becomes the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for fiction. She wins the award for her novel The Age of Innocence.
• 1926: American Gertrude Ederle becomes the first woman to swim across the English Channel.
• 1970: Diane Crump becomes the first female jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby.
• 1993: Toni Morison becomes the first African-American woman to win the Nobel Prize for literature.
• 2007: Harvard University names Drew Gilpin Faust its first woman president in the school's 371-year history.

The facts in this article are from www.infoplease.com

Emery-Pratt employee Deb Kurrle (Inventory Dept.) accompanied her brother and sister-in-law to Guatemala on February 8, 2009 to pick up their beautiful adopted daughter, Isabel, who they had been waiting two years to adopt. Deb's husband Bob also accompanied her on the trip. When Deb's brother and sister-in-law were busy with paperwork, Deb and Bob were able to see a little of the city. Deb mentioned that some locals had told them there is a lot of migration from the small villages into the city making it very crowded. She and Bob found it very interesting to see how people live in another country. After 3 days they returned home with a brand new addition to their familly!

Annual Awards

This year Emery-Pratt Company celebrated their 21st annual awards with a luncheon catered by Roma's Restaurant of Owosso, MI. The following employees were honored for their continuous years of service: 3-yr. Service award - Cheryl Glover (Standing Orders), Colleen Cook (EDI Coordinator), Vensus Frederick (Accounts Payable). 5-yr. Service award - Dennis Miller (Outside Sales), Linda Limbaugh (Receiving), Regina Sawyer (Receiving), Virginia Gastin (Accounts Payable). 10-yr. Service award – Christine Heinig (Receiving), Ray Brabo (Business Development Supervisor). 15-yr. Service award – Mike Limbaugh (Assistant Supervisor Shipping Dept.), Sue Hernandez (Human Resources/Account Manager). 20-yr. Service award – Kim Unterbrink (Staff Assistant for Sales Dept.), Rhonda Bass (Customer Service). 30-yr. Service award – Mary Ann Sayles (Accounts Payable).

Thank you to all employees for their hard work and to Maurie and Pam Shattuck for food, fellowship, and for recognizing our time and talents!