With his wit and jokes about being a janitor, Don Aslett entertained the crowd gathered at the annual Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce banquet Monday night, Jan. 23. He told of an interview with People magazine one time. They took many pictures of him and then one of the interviewers wanted to see where he lived. She sat at his table and cried. She told him he didn’t comprehend what he had, with the view, the room to plant gardens, able to have animals, and the clean air. Aslett then said that a person becomes insensitive to what they have.
“Everybody wants to have what you have here in Aberdeen,” he said.
He said being “on top” is when you get to where you really love what you do. He is there, because he loves to clean. Anyone can get to the “top” if they work hard enough.
He was raised in Dietrich, ID, and started his cleaning business while attending college. That business paid for his college but he stayed in the cleaning business. He now has a clean museum that has a kids’ world as part of the museum. They also have vacuum drag races.
Everyone can change, although change isn’t fun sometimes. He told of a woman that complained that her child wouldn’t clean anything. He joined the Marines and the first day, when his bunk area wasn’t clean, he had to run for a long time. The next day, his bunk area was clean. He changed, Aslett said.
“People say you can’t change. But you can. Things can also change you and experiences can change you.”
Aslett challenged everyone to write a book about what they are doing. He has over 40 books published. He told everyone to take a notebook with them everywhere. Everyone says funny things and you can write them down. Then all those things can be compiled into a book. He told everyone to appreciate what they have and added that the best way to appreciate what they have is to write about it.
He asked the crowd what they tell their loved ones when they go to work or start their day. Replies of “Have a good day”, Take it easy” and “Don’t work too hard” came from the crowd. He said those are typical of Americans, but in the orient, they say other things. He watched a woman kiss her husband on the cheek and say “Work your honorable buns off”.
Aslett ended his talk with the challenge, “Write your book. You’ll love who you are. And work your honorable buns off today.”
Outgoing chamber president Dirk Driscoll thanked all who served so well over the year. He said he doesn’t feel like he did that much and told everyone they are the heart, the strength and the power in the community.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be president. The future can be bright and I believe that it is. We have a wonderful heritage here in Aberdeen. We can’t direct the wind, but we can set ourselves against it. I believe that Aberdeen will be stronger and better for what it is going through,” Driscoll said.
Incoming president Brett Crowther said he is looking to a past president of the United States for his inspiration. “What made Ronald Reagan so great was he surrounded himself with good people. I have done that for my reign as president of the chamber. I thank you all. The service you offer is outstanding.”
Tierney Warren thanked the chamber for the opportunity to participate in the Distinguished Young Woman program. “It really means a lot. I participated in the state program and learned that our program is outstanding.”
She added she is looking forward to the upcoming program.
The Outstanding Business Award went to Ernie and Bonnie Medellin. They were out of town so Paul Behrend accepted the award for them.
The Outstanding Service Award went to Ardis Parsons. She was unable to attend, so Sonny Stone accepted the award for her.
|
