Costco Connection - January 2007

DIALOGUEletters

Online Edition Bonus Dialogue

Left: Ron Howard with co-stars Andy Griffith and Don Knotts. Below: Costco Taiwan style.

their flag at any sports event. China needs to understand that continued blocking of Taiwan to represent itself is the act of a bully. Due to China’s bullish behavior, I have educated my children that they are not Chinese-Americans, but rather Taiwanese-Americans. I am proud of Costco for [listing] Taiwan as a country. Due to concern for my safety, I will not disclose my residence in this e-mail. Helen Lai (by e-mail)

EVERETT COLLECTION

Odds and ends
Hurray for Opie

Loved the article about Ron Howard, made me want more. You could encourage him to write a book about time spent on The Andy Griffith Show. I think everyone in America loved every one of the characters on that show, from Aunt Bea to Don Knotts [Barney Fife].

Since I am 72 years young, I have watched this boy coming of age throughout his career on TV shows and, later, directing movies. He is a wonderful model for those entering and in the field of “show biz.” Thanks for the feature on Ron.

J.E. Spaulding
Prescott, Arizona

Four hours later we went to check out.

As we were leaving the store, I asked her, “Well, how did you like your visit at Costco?” Her reply was, “It was better than a party!” That tickled me so, I just had to share it with your readers.

Mary Weiss
Birmingham, Alabama

For love of country

I am very angry at the comment made by your reader Frank Lew of Williamsburg,

Virginia, in the December 2006 Connection. He said that Taiwan is not a country, despite having its own government, army and passport. I should add that Taiwan also has its own currency, flag, national anthem, president, writing system, media, military, tax system, airlines and everything else a “country” has.

To say that Taiwan is not a country but is part of China is ignorance. Taiwan has been rejected numerous times for entry to the

United Nations because

China is a big player. China also uses its influence to [block] Taiwan [from] the World Health

Organization and other global organizations.

During the SARS [out-break], Taiwan was not allowed to share information regarding this disease. Taiwanese athletes cannot show

Brand conversion

You’ve changed my way of thinking. I always believed that when making purchases of food, clothing, etc., [I should select] the advertised name-brand items. One day I was led astray by the low price of Kirkland Signature™ solid white tuna. Guess what? It was far superior to the name brand I had been using.

Then I began to think that other Kirkland Signature products—toilet paper, chocolate-covered raisins, etc.—might have the same high quality as the tuna. They all did.

I’m enjoying better products and saving money. That’s hard to beat. I am now a Costco Kirkland Signature girl.

Rhoda Wagner
Palm Beach, Florida

Party for two

I enjoy an Executive Membership with Costco in Birmingham, Alabama. It is my favorite store.

Not long ago I was visiting a favorite aunt in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. She was celebrating her 95th birthday, and I went to spend time with her. While there, I mentioned I wanted her to see one of my favorite stores. I looked for the nearest Costco. It was not far from her home.

My aunt has been quite the gourmet cook, and still surprises me with her abilities as a chef. I couldn’t wait to show her the possibilities at Costco. So off we went.

There was food to taste, specialty items to see, and the meat department was a feast for the eyes. We wanted to sample all the baked goods. Each item was more delightful than the previous one, and we lost track of time.