More Reasons to Make a Pilgrimage to Lovely Dayton, Ohio . . .

We travel a lot -- most of you know that. And at every show, we get a handful of people who tell us that they used to live in/near Dayton. The emphasis here is on "used to" -- I usually refer to them as "escapees". But they all make a point of stopping by our store when they're in town to visit family or friends.

Our Fourth Annual Fantastic Fall Sale starts the first Sunday in October and runs the rest of the month. But we do all kinds of special stuff for a week ahead of time. So for the locals, this is your warning to clear your calendar.

For the non-locals, it's time to plan your travel schedule. If you have to drag a male along, go here first -- http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/ The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force (around here, we just call it the "Air Force Museum") is less than 15 minutes from our store. It is VERY cool, has lots of big planes (and may soon have a space shuttle) and it will keep him busy most of the day. It is also FREE . . .

Now, back to the Fall Sale plug. Before the store opens on Monday, September 28, Gary will place discount stickers on 1,000 items in our store (Gary is the Exhalted Grand Poobah of Marco's who is never seen on the road) ranging from 25% to 75% off. Then we'll keep track of how many of those items sell during the day, and the following morning he'll replenish the supply. So there will be 1,000 stickered items at the beginning of each day that week!

There will also be classes and free demos and make it/take its throughout the week -- check the classroom page at http://www.marcopaper.com/classes.htm for updates throughout September. While you're at it, check out the early September classes from Dreamweaver's Rep Beverly Anderson (September 8 & 9), Pat Adams (Classy Tulips Workshop September 15), and Dawn Cutter/Donna Sheetz (Fantastic Four + 2 September 16).

Here are some events that are already scheduled:

Donna Weibel will be holding Tim Holtz Christmas Card classes on Wednesday, September 30 and Saturday, October 3 (the Saturday class is already sold out) and a Tim Holtz Autumn Tag make it/take it (date to be announced). Donna is currently on her way to Arizona for Tim's Creative Escape, so we'll talk with her when she gets back to see if she can add another session of her class!

Pat Adams spent three days late last month with Susan Pickering Rothamel in her USArtQuest studio learning Sue's best techniques and will be offering her first USAQ class, Checkbook Cover Workshop and Napkin Exchange on Tuesday, September 29.

Ginger Deaton (our own "Domino Diva") will show you how to create beautiful jewelry pieces from dominoes during a class on Tuesday, September 29.

There will be free make it/take its all week long from Marco's instructors, including Donna Sheetz, Dawn Cutter, Sandy Livingston, and Judy Davidson. They'll all be free, but signups will be required. So watch the calendar page and sign up early!

And Ellison/Sizzix Rep Debbie Zegarra will be on hand from 10:00-5:00 on Friday, October 2 to demo the new Big Shot Express Motorized Shape-Cutting and Embellishing System (yep, it's electric). She will also be introducing our newest line of cardstock -- Core'dinations. Yes, we're finally taking the plunge . . .

All of this leads up to Sunday, October 4, and a day so packed with events that I plan to be 400 miles away (I'll be at a show in York, PA all weekend):

- Super Sidewalk Sale -- the sidewalk in front of the store will be crammed full of items and they'll sell for only $1.00 each! Rain or shine!

- Trunk Sale -- Our Lucy's Paper Garden Club members will be selling their lightly used stamps, paper, media, magazines, and other craft supplies right from their car trunks and tables in the parking lot! Rain or shine!

- Fantastic Fall Sale -- First day of a sale that lasts all through October, with great deals, specials, and coupons!

So make your plans and clear your schedules! And then check back Friday for a recap of my mom's gala 70th birthday celebration . . .