High Five: Valdine Landry

She’s a good saleswoman

When our new microwave went rogue, cooking a russet potato down to a sparking coal and scaring the what’s-it out of me, I was glad to have sales associate Valdine Landry on hand. Landry, who works in Sears Brand Central at the Valley Mall, had sold us our kitchen appliances. When someone suggested we just use orange-scented spray for the stench while waiting to have the microwave repaired, Landry declared, “No way!” and quickly got us a replacement.

We’ve been impressed with Landry and have bought many appliances from her. She’s knowledgeable, efficient, fun and friendly and will mother-hen anyone through daunting appliance wizardry.

“It makes me happy to satisfy my customers,” says Landry, who has sold Sears appliances for 11 years. “And I meet people I wouldn’t ordinarily meet in the path of everyday life. I enjoy teaching them about appliances and making them feel comfortable, treating them as if they were a guest in my home.”

She enjoys telling about a customer who made a killing at a casino and ordered all new appliances for her kitchen, to be delivered the next day. “She was just ecstatic,” says Landry. “I asked if her husband knew and she said, ‘No, but he’ll know tomorrow!’

“There’s nothing like getting customers what they want,” says Landry. “It just makes the job for me.”

– Deborah Chan, correspondent

Rogers students deserve recognition

A note to give public recognition to the 70 Rogers High School students who chose to honor their former teacher Mrs. Kim by raising more than $3,600 and collecting 1,600 pounds of food for the Union Gospel Mission. These young people are to be commended for their desire to honor their former teacher in such a meaningful way.

My guess is that these young people will continue to make a positive impact in our world in future years.

– Vern Buller, Spokane