Per the Reopening Guidance for Retail Stores, issued by the Oregon Health Authority, all of us working in the store are required to wear masks. We are not requiring customers to wear masks, but we are strongly encouraging you to do so.

The purpose of wearing a mask isn't to protect yourself from other people's germs; rather, the purpose of wearing a mask is to protect other people from YOUR germs. To paraphrase Adam Savage (of Mythbusters fame), if you accept this premise as being true, and you still choose not to wear a mask, "You're basically being a jerk!"

If you need a mask, I have kits for sale for you to make your own masks, or I will make them for you.

At this time, Saturday Sampler and other Small Groups are still unable to meet, due to social distancing requirements. According to this article from Oregon Public Broadcasting, "In theory, residents of the counties approved for Phase 1 of reopening can have parties or other gatherings, but there are still strict limits. No more than 25 people can get together for any event, they have to stay at least 6 feet apart, and they all must be local to the area. Travel to gatherings is still not allowed."

There are 25 people signed up for Saturday Sampler this year, and adding myself and my helpers into the mix puts our numbers above the 25-person maximum, not to mention that we are all crammed in like sardines! I do not anticipate being able to meet in person for Saturday Sampler until sometime in the Fall, at the earliest. We will keep meeting virtually on YouTube until we can meet in person again. This month's Virtual Saturday Sampler is here.

For now, my small groups (Open Sew, Quilt Till You Wilt, and Lace Day) are also still canceled at least through June. The numbers of attendees are well below the 25-person maximum, but my tables aren't big enough to maintain the requisite 6-foot distance between people.