The Coulson Group of Companies

By Susan Merivirta, Chief Financial OfficerCorporate News

We are very busy in many different initiatives. As well as our core businesses - forestry, aviation and lumber manufacturing/remanufacturing, we are preparing for three very separate and distinct focuses.

The Martin Mars purchases have created a new dynamic in our Company. These aircraft bring with them a wonderful history and an enthusiastic following of admirers. To this end, we are focusing on not only using the aircraft in a fire-fighting mission profile, but also on opening a museum at the Tanker Base for all the Martin Mars history buffs. Darlene Coulson has been tasked with managing this program and is working very hard to make the July 8th opening of Coulson Flying Tankers a "memorable" event.

The move of the Administrative Offices "just up the street" to Cherry Creek Road is scheduled for August 4th. This is a huge endeavour when you consider the amount of "treasures" that have been accumulated in these offices throughout the years. We are working on an orderly process of clean out, pack up, and move only what we need to start up full operations the Monday after the move on Friday. Scott Davidson and crew are on schedule with the building of the new office space. Now I only have to worry about the part that I was in charge of...hopefully, our new office furniture will arrive and be set up before the move!!

And then there is the Gaming Centre. This initiative is unbelievably exciting and exhausting at the same time. Everyone involved is on a tremendous learning curve, as we gain the knowledge we need to manage a "world class" gaming centre, restaurant, lounge and brew pub. We are systematically working through the reams of documents and procedures that need to be in place prior to our opening. As well, we are beginning the process of hiring and training new staff for all segments of the operation. The facility has been designed to provide a showcase for every species of tree that can be found in the forests that surround our Valley and will become a destination spot for community members and visitors alike - not just for the entertainment value of its gaming amenities, but also for the ambiance and peacefulness of its conceptual design. Suzan Coulson and her design team need to be commended for this extra-ordinary vision.

I received an email one day that shared the hard-earned simple wisdom of a 70+ year old woman....

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow."

"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."

"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life."

"I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life'."

"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."

"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision."

"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."

"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."

"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

June, 2007 Volume 07-126

By Susan Merivirta, Chief Financial OfficerCorporate News

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