Thailand is an unwilling host to these groups, so the refugees don't receive the same benefits as Thai citizens. The Karen are one of many ethnic groups in Myanmar who have fought with government troops for years; some have escaped across the border into Thailand.

The Bracketts, retired educators from Colgate University, set up their own foundation, the Brackett Foundation, to provide education for the displaced Karen. The foundation funds teachers for schools for the Karen in Thailand and helps students finish high school or go on to university.

To reach one of the schools, the group had to go by dugout across a lake—an hour-and-a-half journey. They brought an inflatable globe and maps that were enthusiastically received. The teachers seemed dedicated and taught even in the midst of the Terrills' visit.

Conditions are primitive; rickety bamboo served as desks in some schools. "Visiting another country always makes me appreciate the USA more," Dorothy says. "The people are very friendly. We never felt unsafe, although I am sure we could have been victims of the normal petty crime that occurs when traveling."

A guide in Myanmar told them he admired the U.S. so much. He cited the most recent presidential election, snarled with the voting abnormalities in Florida. When a winner was finally declared, "You were all friends. In our country, they would take out their guns and start shooting each other."

Ox cart is the usual method for hauling goods in the countryside, and people live in bamboo houses with thatched roofs. Houses and yards are swept daily, because cobras and other undesirables hide in any pile of twigs or leaves.

The Terrills dined near the famed bridge over the River Kwai, visited the Allied war cemeteries and learned more about the hardships suffered by the Allied prisoners and the local people while building the railroad for the Japanese.

Dorothy Terrill and the Bracketts were all graduate students together at UC-Berkeley some years back—Dorothy in nutrition, the Bracketts in chemistry. Later they taught computer science courses. The Brackett philosophy is to support those students who can, hopefully, return to help their people.

CLEAN SWEEP: The Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society is seeking donations for its first ornithological secondhand sale on April 17, 10 a.m.­2 p.m. Appropriate items are binoculars, books, scopes, vests, hiking boots, birdhouses, feeders, paintings, photos, bird jewelry, DVDs, videos, CDs and tapes.

Items should be clean and in good condition and will be accepted through April 1. Donations are tax-deductible and proceeds benefit the conservation and education programs sponsored by the society. The Audubon Society headquarters are at McClellan Ranch Park, Cupertino, and Susan Bell is the contact at 408.252.3747.

CLARIFICATION: Lindamood-Bell, the school at Neale's Hollow, doesn't help just autistic children, but also helps those with a wide range of learning difficulties—auditory, visual and cognitive. Gifted children are treated, too, so that each child is helped to achieve his or her full potential.

Further note: The Barn, the first antique store in Saratoga, opened in the '40s at the Neale's Hollow location soon after Clarence Neale came back from WWII and was torn down in the '60s.

DONATING TO SCHOOLS: Aqua Techniques Pool Care will donate its first month's fee for every new customer received this spring and summer to the local elementary school in the customer's district. Specific school programs, such as high school sports, would also be an option, depending on the client's request.

ATPC is owned by Eric Herbert and John Lee. Herbert's mother is a teacher and his sister and girlfriend are training to be teachers. Aqua is at 408.772.8534.

JURIED SHOW: A postcard depicting the various categories in the annual juried show at the Art Museum of Los Gatos was so appealing I wanted to find out more. Tonya Carpenter put the postcard together and it featured a montage of artwork.

The artists were Michiko Shimoda, Terri Ford, Sandi Okita, Evangelina Miller, Kathy Keenan and Elke Groves. Shimoda is a Saratogan; Miller, Keenan, Groves and Okita are Los Gatans. The juror for the show, which will be on display until May 1, is Philip Linhares, chief curator of Oakland Museum.

Jurying for this show is decided by the actual artwork, not slides. The artists, artwork in hand, line up to wait for the museum doors to open on jury day.

ANTIQUE SHOW: Assistance League will present Antique Show & Tell on March 28, 11 a.m.­3 p.m., at the Saratoga Community Center, and Mary Swentzel is the contact at 408.867.3862.

Got a tip for Saratoga Sampler? Send email to maryanncook@earthlink.net.