I have called this to attention before, I know, but I think this FYI might be worth repeating: SNOHOMISH Tribune, Wed. Jan. 13, 1999 p. 4 Opinion -Letters to the Editor. A letter QUOTED IN FULL except for the Name, as follows- Antique community should monitor practices To the editor: I have heard many stories over the years about people involved in the antique or collectibles business taking advantage of elderly in our community by targeting them for the purpose of purchasing their personal property for prices a fraction of market value. However, recently I learned of a situation that should be discussed within the antique business community and I respectfully request a response to this forum from the Snohomish Chamber of Commerce and/or the antique business community of Snohomish, in particular. An elderly, and long time, Snohomish resident was recently visited by a family member who found an antique/collectable (sic) dealer inside this elderly person's home. When asked what he was doing there he said he had been there before and was offering to purchase items. The dealer had not been contacted by the elderly person to initiate such a visit. Instead, the dealer admitted he chooses elderly people to visit periodically to find items to purchase. The elderly are sometimes susceptible to "friendly" people that attempt to sell them items they do not need, or to buy items from them that they should not sell. Knocking on an elderly person's door attempting to persuade them to sell items is wrong and a very questionabl business practice. The elderly person may also be intending to pass down something as a part of the family's history that has enormous family value, they may be persuaded to sell it at the cost of a trinket. What business/ethic guidlines does the Snohomish Chamber of Commerce or antique/collectable(sic) community in Snohomish have concerning sitauations like this? I know there are many wonderful business owners and operators in the Snohomish business community and that this may be an anomaly; however, it has occurred in the community that these elderly have been a part for many years. I call on the Snohomish business community to help regulate itself, if possible, to eliminate this type of practice. I was born and raised in Snohomish and have been proud to say over the years that this was my hometown. The elderly now living in the community are family members, former teachers, coaches, librarians, neighbors and others we know who have contributed to our lives and to the whole community. They should not be subjected to this. I think this deserves some respect and protection. R. . . K. . .. , Everett ( Name appeared at the end of the article, but is not included here for reasons of privacy, and unimportant to the intent.) END OF QUOTED ARTICLE FROM THE TRIBUNE. COMMENT: This bit of wisdom and information should caution us all, no matter where to look out for the elderly, that they don't get "hoodwinked" and "taken". Many are by themselves, on medicines, and because of this they can become vulnerable victims of someone elses "whims" ( & greed!). The very thing that this person wrote about happened right across the street from me with a very elderly lady who lives by herself but who has several persons checking on her. I was informed by one of her relatives, a neice, who checked on her found a man in her home going through her possession looking for items of interest such as "old marbles" etc. he said when confronted. A dealer or collector, apparently. In fact, this may be the same incident that the writer is writing about.. Nevertheless, these things are happening to the elderly, infirmed, incapacitated, and on medicines in an attempt to maintain their health. This is not just Snohomish, it is everywhere. As genealogist, we value the items of our Families - whether they are of value to anyone else. What a loss a mistake can be to the treasures that our forebears wish to leave for their families to enjoy and treasure - BUT what a mistake can take place when intruders show up for the "take". I hope that REPEATING THIS will remind you that there are those out there who would like to "Sell" those keepsakes, and treasures that are in you Families. It is hard enough to SHARE them w/o having someone come in for the "take". * * * I wish to thank all of you who have tried to help me - John Sloniker and Marilyn Carretti, et al. I will let you know when I get, or if I can get my former juno account back to retrieve e-mail, address book, & items I want to keep. In the meantime I can at least "get on" with this newere juno account ( & harrass everybody - <grin>). If I haven't ans'd your msgs, I hope you will understand what happened.. * * * Yesterday, I was able to help Mel Gollings get his Mouse/Fonts working properly again. He could not insert, space, correct anything as his sentences would really go awry. "Miraculously" I was able to get it working for him again. He's 89, I'm 74, and it's like the Blind Leading the Blind, but "buy gum" we got her working perfectly - and Mel, was in 7th Heaven when he got his Juno back ( like a kid that just got his pacifier back in his mouth!). But I know the Feeling - so now I expect MEL GOLLINGS to come over and get my form Juno Account back soz I ken retrieve my Mail, my Address Book, and the 50,000 Receive and Send Messages in there that should have been put on my Iomega 100 Zip Drive. Amen, Mel! I have 3 entries in my Addr. Book, so far, and PSR is one of them! Carroll in Lower Snohomish. ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]