Ladies Who Linger in Our Hearts Long After Valentine’s Day

Jo Handwerk and Ruth Wright are the type of women everyone needs in their life.

As Valentine’s Day rolls around, there are so many magnificent ladies in our lives that we can’t let the holiday slip by without mentioning just a few of them. In the last year, both of these special women experienced major health challenges that required hospitalization, causing all of us who love them dearly (and there are literally hundreds who do) much concern.

But as the new year began, both of them experienced major comebacks, making significant strides in their health, as well as their involvement with Watkins. Jo Handwerk is one of the top leaders of our Watkins team, having started with the organization when there was no Internet, no national conference calls, and – believe it or not – no cell phones!

How did this tiny women (she couldn’t be more than five feet max) become one of the top salespeople in Watkins, with thousands of managers and customers who have signed up under her? “I love people. I love talking to them every day, asking them about their life, and how I can make it better. It’s that simple,” says Jo, with that lovely twinkle in her eye.

Now a spry 83 years young, Jo began her home business in the small community of Lillooet, BC, Canada, many years ago. The population in the town proper still hovers around the 2,400 mark. She just wasn’t going to let such obstacles get in her way. Instead, Jo used her special charm to win people over, turn them into customers -- and eventually – new Associates. She became active in her local Chamber of Commerce, making sure she could name everyone on sight. Jo also provided all Chamber members a 10% discount on all Watkins products they purchased.

Even though she had to attend the 2011 Watkins International Conference in a wheel chair due to recuperation from surgery, Jo was named the 4^th Top Bronze Manager in the entire company based on the sales of her downline team. She was also named the 1^st Place Bronze Manager based on the number of new consultants she brought into her downline during the year. Jo is an inspiration to anyone starting a second career in a small town. “I just tell them, ‘Honey, the only way from here is up!’”

And then there’s Ruth Wright, another little lady with a big heart we met through our local church in Big Bear some five years ago. Ruth officially retired as the church organist at the age of 90, but still fills in when she’s needed.

Ruth was one of the first locals, who signed up as a member of our Watkins Wholesale Shoppers Club when we were just launching our Watkins business back in 2009. She invited us over one day to see her Watkins spice collection, many of the glass bottles purchased from a relative back in the 40s, who was an early Watkins door-to-door salesman. Ruth said we could have her collection for our historical display at public events on one condition – that we sell her brand new replacement tins of every spice Watkins has added to its product line over the years.

2011 was a difficult year for Ruth. The only damage from a minor fender bender was the impact on Ruth’s fierce independence since she had to give up her driver’s license. But Alan and her many friends have developed quite a taxi service that is always there when she has to pick up groceries or check her PO box.

We had planned a 95^th birthday party for Ruth following church services on Sunday, Dec 19^th. But Ruth was rushed to the hospital just days before with a rapid heartbeat. Doctors had her confined to a wheel chair for weeks, doubting if her frail body could even handle physical therapy. Today, she’s walking again on her own, but chuckles, “I can walk much faster with a strong man by my side.”  

When asked what her favorite Watkins product is, Ruth is quick to respond, “the Ultra-Rich HandCream, of course,” which she uses daily. She manages to go through a jar at least once a month, saying she practically “baths in it.” When she tells people she just turned 95, many claim she doesn’t look a day over 75. Ruth credits her longevity to a few cups of coffee every morning, and her young-looking skin to her Watkins moisturizing cream!

Ruth tells everyone she knows about Watkins, and that includes pretty much everyone in town. We credit Ruth with the latest Associate to join our local Big Bear Country Store Power Team, who happens to be Ruth’s housekeeper. Kim Briones is having her Watkins business grand opening party later this month, and you can bet who wants to be one of the first people to be there to show her support. That’s our Ruthie!

What a Great Time to be Living in Big Bear, California!

 

Autumn is our favorite time of year in Big Bear. The oaks, aspens and maples are changing their leaves. Even the sunsets seem to be competing with the trees as to which one can put on a bigger Technicolor show. The air is crisp, and there’s already a fire burning in the hearth. It certainly is the season of giving thanks for all the beauty around us, and our family and friends to share it with.

It’s also time to start thinking about that Thanksgiving menu, and what needs to be ordered through Watkins to be sure it arrives long before November 24^th.  There’s not a better way of letting your family and close friends know how much they mean to you than with a feast they will long remember.

Now is the time to Gobble up These Savings for Your Thanksgiving Table

Check out what’s on special by clicking the Monthly Specials link on the left column of the website, then on November Monthly Specials. There you will find one of our seasonal favorites that seem to sell out as soon as we put it on display at our public events – Watkins PumpkinBread Mix! We can’t think of a better bread to serve at Thanksgiving, or to give as a gift to your host, or your family members who can’t be part of your turkey celebration. Right now, you can purchase one bread mix at the regular price of $5.99 and get a second bread mix for only $3.49!

Those Watkins bakers have been busier than our Big Bear squirrels gathering acorns and pine nuts for the winter. You have to glance at the current featured recipe on the website – Marbled Pumpkin Cheesecake.  Sure, you have your traditionalists who insist that their Thanksgiving pie be plain and simple pumpkin.  Why wouldn’t a pumpkin cheesecake made with Watkins Double-Strength Vanilla, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves and Ginger be a hit with all your guests? Just be sure you have all those spices in your cabinet. Right now, the WatkinsDouble-Strength 11 oz. Vanilla is on special for only $13.99. That’s two dollars off the regular price. You know you’re going to need plenty of vanilla for other holiday baking to come. So you better stock up now. You can always run over to a neighbor to borrow a cup of sugar. But they wouldn’t be as neighborly if they were running low on their last bottle Watkins vanilla at holiday time. Perhaps you should think about giving a bottle to your neighbors, along with a loaf of pumpkin bread fresh from your oven.

If you’re like our household, you can never get enough pumpkin, particularly this time of year. Watkins Pumpkin Butter Spread was such a big hit last year when it was first introduced, the product quickly sold out. While the Winona plant upped the production count this year, we always get worried when we see the words, “limited quantities” in the catalog. That’s why we ordered a dozen this year just to be on the safe side. Our “all-natural” customers love this butter, particularly when we tell them it’s only 30 calories per tablespoon.

But just in case you want a change of pace, there’s a new spread that’s getting rave reviews – Watkins Apple Cranberry Butter! As the catalog reads, “Enjoy this delightful butter with the sweet taste of apples and cranberries. It’s equally perfect for a holiday feast or an everyday treat. Spread on toast and bagels, or add to any dish you would like to enhance with the delectable flavor of apples and cranberries. ” For those who just can’t make up their mind, why not put a jar of both on your Thanksgiving table. Both are just $6.99 a jar.

We know this blog is getting far too long, so you will have to go through the amazing list of other products that will make you holiday baking, entertaining and gift-giving a wonderful experience this year. We ask you to consider Watkins turkey rub for your holiday bird, and the Cucumber and Dill, Garlic and Dill, and new Garlic Parmesan  Snack and Dip Seasonings when preparing your holiday party platters.

Trick or Treat?

Just ring our toll-free doorbell and you will receive a treat that will brighten up your entire holiday season.

It’s a scary time out there. No wonder many people today are afraid to make any move that might cause the family finances to become even more catastrophic then they already are. Those who are employed, even part-time, are concerned that anything they do beyond answering to the boss will upset the applecart.

But even your boss must recognize that your limited salary can be stretched just so far to cover the increasing costs of gas, food and clothing to run a household. Therefore, he or she will applaud the initiative you took to begin your own home-based Watkins business that you can carry out in the evening and on week-ends.

When your youngsters ring doorbells on Halloween, there’s no guarantee that the treats they seek will be as good as they hoped. But with Watkins, there is a money-back guarantee that the $39.95 (plus tax) you shell out to become an Associate of the 143-year-old company will be a good investment. That’s right. If you are not completely satisfied after your first 30 days with the company, just call our toll-free number, and we will have your money back pronto.

We doubt that will be necessary. We are beginning the busiest and most profitable season for Watkins Associates. First of all, you will immediately receive 25% off the retail price of all orders you place for holiday baking, entertaining and gift-giving. Certainly, there is a friend or family member on your gift-list who aspires to be a great chef, or at least the greatest one on the block. A perfect gift for that person is Watkins’ Gold Medal Set containing our International award-winning vanilla, cinnamon and black pepper.  Normally, $32.99, your cost is only $24.75 when you are signed up as an Associate.  We also have a great assortment of nicely wrapped Gift Packages for your holiday gift giving.

We suggest one of the first events you plan is a fall harvest tasting reception/new business launch in your home, or have your best friend serve as host for the event. Certainly, the both of you can come up with the names of dozens of friends and family members planning their own holiday shopping list. Many of them may already be familiar with the Watkins brand, and jump at the opportunity of supporting you in your new venture. As your Watkins managers, we help you every step of the way with Watkins’ time-tested formula for such an event. Watkins men and women were holding these money-making events years before Tupperware was even born.  

Before you open your door to any little gremlin this Halloween, call 888-881-7372 to receive a guaranteed treat to enhance your family’s financial future.

The Most Expensive Vehicle in the World

This 1884 De Dion Steam Runabouts sold for $4.62 million at auction

　

It's full name is the De Dion Bouton Et Trepardoux Dos-A-Dos Steam Runabout. On Oct. 7, it sold for more than double its estimated value--a cool $4.62 million.

The 127-year-old vehicle drew a standing ovation from the crowd, according to RM Auctions, which presided over the sale. Bidding started at $500,000 before immediately jumping to $1 million. The final price is a new world record for an early motor car sold at auction. The winner is the fifth owner of the historic machine. It was offered from the estate of John O'Quinn, a collector who bought the car from British Veteran Car Club member Tim Moore. It was Moore who restored the De Dion to full working condition. As a result, it won the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1997.

"The world's leading automotive collectors recognized the incredibly rare opportunity the sale represented, as was reflected in the spirited bidding and impressive result," said Rob Myers, founder of RM Auctions.

Just imagine. The JRWatkins Company was already 16 years old when this high-priced De Dion was first built. In those early years, Watkins salesmen distributed their products to remote farms in ss carriages. They carried America's first door-to-door salesmen to their customers in distant homesteads, who would wait in great anticipation to see the Watkins wagon come rolling down the dusty road every month.

As the sales force grew to include both men and women, their cars needed to be a bit more comfortable for those longer trips to handle the demand for a wide array of Watkins products. No longer just an apothicary company, the Watkins Associates were able to offer baking products, cleaning products, and body care products to make every housewife feel like Gloria Swanson and Heddie Lamar.

Today, we are still selling Watkins products door-to-door here in Big Bear, CA, but we purchased our Watkins wagon -- a 2007 Jeep Patriot -- for a few bucks less than that 1884 De Dion. We didn't even need a major overhaul when we purchased it in 2009, the year we launched our Watkins business.

The Jeep gets its biggest workout when we travel, not to nearby farms but to farmer's markets and street fairs. For the first few years, we could get our tent, display tables and products inside the Jeep. But this year, with the intent of showing at least one of the top 50 Watkins products, we had to resort to straping three 8-ft. tables to the roof to make everything fit. It certainly is easy to spot n a large parking lot!

If you live anywhere from Palm Springs to Riverside, CA, give us a call at 888-881-7372. We can include you on our door-to-door route. Or we may be able to hook you up with one of our Watkins Associates who lives closer, and could come to your door more often than just once a month.

Remember, the holidays are just around the corner. There are so many items you will remember from our last year's Seasonal Favorites, plus a number of new products just in time for this year's holiday baking, entertaining and gift-giving. Check them out at our website:
www.BigBearCountryStore.com.

It’s Harvest Time at the

Big Bear Country Store

We’re stocking our shelves with everything you’ll need for holiday baking, entertaining & gift-giving.

It’s beginning to feel like fall when we pitch our travelling Big Bear Country Store tent at the Big Bear Farmer’s Market this month.  Those brisk temperatures have led Farmer’s Market organizers to close for the season at the end of September, meaning there are just a few Tuesdays left for locals and mountain visitors to sample some of our fall favorites.

And what a harvest Watkins has reaped this year! In addition to the favorites from previous years like the Pumpkin Butter, there’s Apple-Cranberry Butter, rich Baked Potato Soup, plus Black Walnut, Hazelnut and Irish Cream baking extracts.  

We don’t sell fruits and vegetables just harvested from local fields like the other vendors at our Farmer’s Market. However, your dinner guests will think you harvested many of the baking ingredients yourself!

The Big Bear Country Store is Just a Click Away

Once we fold up our tent for the last time at the Big Bear Farmer’s Market this season, you can still order all 17 seasonal favorites.  All you have to do is click on the “Gifts” link in the directory at left, and then “2011 Seasonal Favorites.” Order these now before you find Watkins is out of stock of the most popular items by October, and you have to wait for the jars and packages to start rolling off the production line again.

If you can’t think of a thing to bring the host and/or hostess of that autumn harvest party you’ve been invited to, you can’t go wrong with the Watkins Gold Medal Sampler. Packed in a handsome box, it features the award-winning Watkins vanilla, black pepper and cinnamon, and is priced at only $15.95

You don’t have to be a trained chef to take advantage of the many holiday extracts now available in larger 8 oz. baker bottles. Click on the Recipes link at left and you will find many of your holiday favorite cookies, cakes and breads. The recipes are available in a printer-friendly format, and easy to follow.

Even the most critical mother-in-law will be asking for your recipe. Imagine the smells of Watkins award-winning cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg filling your kitchen right now.

With all of us pinching pennies during this recession, you may be wondering how you can stretch your gift-giving dollars during the coming holiday season. Consider joining the Big Bear Country Store Wholesale Shopping Club. For the low price of just $39.95, you will be able to purchase all 350+Watkins products at 25% off the retail price. And to get you started, we’ll throw in a $25 Watkins gift certificate when you sign up for your membership through this site.

Call us toll-free today at 888-881-7372

No he avy pressure to join, no false promises, just answers to all your questions. As Bogie said at the conclusion of the film Casablanca, "This might be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

There’s Just One Thing

That Would Make This Moment Perfect, Sweetheart!

Some Watkins
Mandarin Orange Dip

for the fruit salad in our picnic basket!

Yes, Watkins has been bringing satisfaction to picnic baskets and dining tables for more than 140 years! Don’t let summer slip away without trying the delicious, cool taste of Watkins Mandarin Orange or Cucumber Dill Dip Mix. In fact, if you stop by the Big Bear Country Store’s booth at the Big Bear Farmer’s Market on Tuesdays from 8:30 to 1, you can get a dollar off each jar of these popular flavors. That’s only $7.99 a jar, for satisfaction that will last you well into fall, when other summer pleasures are but a faded memory.

Happy 100th Birthday, Lucy!

^{I think of you every morning when I have my daily dose of Vitameatavegamin.}

<sup>Who can ever forget Lucy when she promoted Vitameatavegamin with the now famous words, "It’s so tasty, too."

We at the Big Bear Farmer’s Market, just like most of you, grew up with Lucy. Today we join the rest of America – no, people around the world fortunate to be exposed to the antics of this classy lady through "I Love Lucy" -- in celebrating what would have been her 100th birthday.

It’s hard to believe that Watkins was already an established 34-year-old company the year that Lucy was born. Already, the product line had grown far beyond its initial pain liniment. But it wasn’t until this decade that Watkins introduced a full assortment of vitamins and dietary supplements to help Americans feel better and live longer.

Two years ago, Watkins – with consultation from a team of physicians and nutritionists – developed "Immunergy." A blend of eight fruits and herb seed powders and D-Ribose, Immunergy is all natural and caffeine free. As the name implies, it is a daily immune support and energy boost. Lucy would have never wrinkled her nose up at the taste, nor would she have become a bit tipsy; Immununergy does not contain alcohol.

Those of us at the Big Bear Country Store are celebrating Lucy’s 100th birthday by offering two boxes of Immunnunergy for the price of one -- just $15.99! You won’t find this special offer on the JR Watkins website. You have to call store manager Alan toll-free at 888-881-7372. Quantities are limited.

This morning, when I mixed up my daily dose of Immunergy, I raised the effervescent glass and said, "Here’s to you, Lucy. It’s so tasty, too."</sup>