I am eager to step into the New Year, fresh and new. I'm planning a year full of promise, health, learning, love and happiness. I have to admit, last year was not one of my favorites. While there were certainly some wonderful moments, I mostly think about 2012 as a year of loss: our horse, our dog, our cat and, most importantly, my best friend all left this world last year. My challenge is to grow from these losses and the most obvious lesson is that life is fragile and precious. I must appreciate each and every moment. It sounds so trite and is repeated so often, but nonetheless it's profoundly true.

We wish for you a year of peace, love and appreciation for all that you have in your life. We value your friendship and patronage. Happy New Year!

Every year at this time, we like to tell you about our community outreach programs and give you an idea about the worthwhile projects that deserve your support, too. All together, in 2012, with the generosity of our guests, staff and owner who gave time and dollars to our many campaigns, we volunteered over 1,300 hours and donated $15,000 in cash, goods and services by sending care packages to soldiers in Afghanistan and shoes to needy souls around the world, coordinating Earth Month fundraising activities in support of clean water, pampering Moms for Mother’s Day at senior centers and pre-schools, washing dogs for an animal protective agency, strutting our stuff at our annual charity fashion show and playing Santa’s elves for the children of families in crisis. In addition, the side-bar of this newsletter helped get the word out about homeless pets available for adoption and, during the year, we have donated hundreds of gift certificates to silent auctions of area nonprofits.

This is a good time, too, to remind you about the TallGrass Gives Back program that invites you to raise funds for your favorite charity. Just visit the TallGrass Gives Back page of our website for all the detail about booking a date to receive a donation of 15% of the net proceeds of purchases made by your organization’s supporters.

As Retail Buyer and Boutique Manager, Marcia Robinson-Rouse puts her great sense of style into filling the TallGrass boutique with the one-of-a-kind treasures that everyone loves. Super creative, with a strong work ethic and a stylin' dresser herself, Marcia has put a flair for fashion into two retail areas in the spa where people can find that great outfit with just the right accent piece. "What she has done with the boutique is beyond anything we ever imagined," said TallGrass owner Gail Ridings, as she introduced Marcia, one of the very few to twice be awarded with TallGrass' highest honor.

With little retail experience but great fashion knowledge - she has designed and made her own clothes - Marcia launched the boutique about a dozen years ago by visiting markets, getting to know clientele, figuring out the best price points and gaining experience along the way.
"In the beginning, we focused on relaxation and spa items, but the boutique really took off when we expanded into clothes and accessories," explains Marcia. The addition of coats, boots, pj's and casual wear has turned the boutique into an all-around shopping experience that focuses on spa guests' preferred styles, colors and sizes. Some people come to TallGrass just to shop in the boutique!

Her creativity goes far beyond retail. In her Evergreen studio, Marcia sculpts, paints and offers angel readings. And, she is the artist who created the elegant MILLENNIA sculpture that graces our front door entrance.