president Dave Rushton. “Our other major fundraiser is our Trip-of-the-Month draw. We sell tickets for that in partnership with the local historical society and use the proceeds for local projects, including youth scholarships and improvements to Memorial Park.” The selection of books available at the book sale is impressive, spanning practically every category and interest. In fact, sales have gone so well in recent years, that the club is planning to add a second sale in the spring. “We have novels, cook books, history books, biographies, children’s books, gardening books, bibles — just about everything you can think of,” says Ken. “Some customers will come back two and three times before it’s over.” “We’re constantly putting out
more books, and the prices are really reasonable,” adds Bob. “Then on the last day, we give people a chance to fill a whole bag for $5.” One of the Rotary Club’s regular book sale customers is Bernie Crawshaw, the visionary octogenarian behind Fernlea IVIX Non-Profit Books just east
of Courtland. “It’s great,” says Bernie, loading a stack of near-new novels into a shopping cart. “I’m able to pick up stock for the store at a reasonable cost, as well as donate some of our older stock back. It’s a win for everyone.” Established in 1990 by Bernie and his wife Pat, Fernlea IVIX Books stocks approximately 25,000 used books in 46 categories at its motel- turned-bookstore. Blessed to have low overhead and a prime location on Highway 3, the store has been remarkably successful. “We send about $30,000 each year to support two schools in Fort Liberte, Haiti,” Bernie explains. “We’ve been so fortunate. People are really generous with both their time and their books. When customers visit the store, they can see pictures of what their purchases are accomplishing in Haiti, and read updates on the various projects.” Over the years, profits from the store have been used to purchase doors, windows and toilets for the schools, not to mention books, computers and even a soccer field. “We sell newer books in all categories, but what we’re really known for is our fiction,” says Bernie. “We only stock popular fiction that’s less than six years old. There’s a real market for that.” Rotary book sale customer Susan Barker-James not only shops at Fernlea IVIX throughout the year, she also volunteers to (Top) Bernie Crawshaw, founder of Fernlea IVIX Books east of Courtland (Left) Some of the students in Fort Liberte, Haiti, supported by Fernlea IVIX
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