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Gan it be theend of the year already?

I do not know about you, but this year seems to have flown by, and it's hard to believe it is holiday season already. Maybe that it has gone by so fast is evidence of how busy the year has been, and certainly in my almost four years here, this is the first year that appears to have been strong for everyone in the channel. By all accounts and reasoning, 2005 should be equally as good.

I hope that for all our readers the holiday season will give you the opportunity to reaffirm how lucky we are for what we receive. I have no doubt there is not one of us who is not happy election season is over, and there are 48Vo of the voting population who will be unhappy over the winner, but every one of us should be thankful that we live in a democracy, where we can air our views. speak about our differences, and go out and cast our vote without intimidation. Afterwards we can go about our daily lives in relative peace, certainly as you compare what is going on overseas.

ALAN OAKES publisher ajoakes@aol.com

While there may be bitterness and polarization, as it is called, in times of difficulty we need to come together, and be kinder and gentler to those who have differing views. This is a free country, and one of those freedoms is freedom of speech.

Clearly one of the most polarizing issues has been the war in Iraq and, to a lesser degree, Afghanistan. Whether you believe in the war or not, we are there, and so are 150,000+ of our young men and women who live and breathe in horrendous conditions, and whose lives are on the line each and every day. The sacrifices they and their families are making deserve a special prayer this holiday time.

This last week, I had the opportunity with my immediate family to go to my home country in England and celebrate with my family my father's 80th birthday. A special day for him and a reminder to my family here in the U.S.A. how much we miss not having our family around us through the year and especially during the holiday season. I hope that you will be able to share the holidays with family, be able to smell your mother's cooking, play with and hug your children or grandchildren, and appreciate the holidays with them.

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This is my fourth December at The Merchant Magazine and BPD-Building Products Digest, and I would like to say how thankful I and my colleagues are for not only the support we get from hundreds of companies each year that allow us to bring our publication to you, but for the many, many true friendships we have throughout the country both at the mill/manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer level. I have worked in several industries, but NONE like this one. I appreciate getting to know many of you on not only a business level, but a personal level, and getting to know your families, colleagues and the issues you face in your daily lives. Our mantra is to be here to help anyone at anytime in any way we can-

From my family and all of us at Cutler Publishing we wish you all a happy, healthy holiday season, and best wishes for success in 2005. As we travel the country we look forward to meeting up with thousands of you again next year. Pass the eggnog!

Feature vour Business Card in The Merchani and benefit Make a [rish

Use this affordable opponunity todeliver New Year's greetings customers, friends and suppliers, while aiding a favorite children's charity. Place your business card in our January issue for either $75 or $100-for those paying the larger amount, $50 will be donated to the Make a Wish Foundation. x-

Just send your business card and a MAI(E QlyiStt. check for $75 or $1 00 per card before Dec. 17 toCutler Publishing, 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660. Questions? Call Alan at (949) 852-1990.