Volume 289

(This is a special Christmas issue of the Insider. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.)

The Tri-C Board, along with 22 head coaches, have been preparing for our upcoming basketball season. After having a number of practices prior to the holidays, each team will have a practice, the first week in January. These will be before the first games, which begin on January 7.

We want to thank school personnel who worked with us to secure practice and game times for this year’s program. Of note Sarah Barnstable and Billie Jo Waugh of Tri-C Elementary, Tom Webb, Nancy Adams, and Amy Diggs of the Intermediate School, and Amanda Roye of Unity Christian School.

David Draper and Bill Rosado are the coordinator for the program this year. Both have done a superior job in the preparation phase. Russ Thomas prepared 13 of our youth officials last weekend for the season ahead.

Our school nurse, Crystal Young, will certify or re-certify a number of board members and coaches on December 29 in CPR and AED training. The training will be at the Intermediate School Library beginning at 5:00.

Yes, a lot is going on to make this the best program it can be. Thanks to all of you who have contributed to make the upcoming season a success for the children of our community.

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(The following are two top ten lists that I have posted every year since this column began. I hope you enjoy and if you wish to add to or disagree with my choices, do not hesitate to let me know your preference.)

All of us are in the midst of this most joyous of seasons. The special sounds, the scent of evergreen and spices, and the excitement written on every child’s face go a long way to make the season bright. Let us though, never forget the reason for the season and the miracle that occurred 2000 years ago in a small, humble Middle Eastern town.

Every joy that we share with family and friends should relate to the birth of Jesus and the great gifts that he has given to all of us. Best wishes this Holiday Season from my family to yours and it is our hope that you enjoy the merriest Christmas ever.

With all the running that everyone is doing during December we find little time to relax. Many of us would enjoy some time to read a book or watch a movie. The following is a list I prepared for you with my recommendation of some of the best Christmas movies. Watching one of these should certainly put one in the mood for the celebration this week.

R. Norman’s Top Ten Christmas Movies:

10. “Santa Claus”---This is a 1959 movie made in Mexico. It may be one of the very worst movies that I have ever seen. It is so bad that it is hilarious. I try to watch it every Christmas time. Bad can be very good sometimes. I laughed until I cried at this effort.

9. “Christmas in Connecticut”---Little known movie from the late 1940s; Barbara Stanwyck stars. It is worth a look.

8. “Polar Express“---Very nice story, the technological animation is excellent.

7. “Miracle on 34th Street“---The original is much superior to remakes. The story never gets old.

6. “Holiday Inn“---This is a far superior movie to White Christmas (which was actually a sequel to HI). This was the first time Bing Crosby sang the song White Christmas on the screen. The idea for the movie Easter Parade also originated with Holiday Inn.

5. “Scrooged“---One of Bill Murray’s best efforts. A truly updated and twisted version of A Christmas Carol. Lots of laughs!

4. “A Christmas Carol“---More versions than Tiger Woods had girlfriends; take your choice of which one. The story is great regardless. Personally, I probably preferred the George C. Scott version followed closely by the Muppets’ Christmas Carol.

3. “Christmas Vacation“---The best of the “Vacation” movies. It is to Christmas what “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” is to Thanksgiving. Randy Quaid where are you now?

2. “A Christmas Story“---This movie is for every kid and everyone who was one once. The reactions and interactions are superb. If I would have had the power, Darren McGavin would have won an Oscar in 1983.

1. “It’s A Wonderful Life”---Not only is this my favorite Christmas movie, but in my top three of any movie. Great storyline, it was Capra’s finest effort. We could really use actors like Jimmy Stewart today. If you are not moved by this movie you must have ice water in your veins.

There are a number of other good Christmas selections. Some of which I had strongly considered for my list. If you have other Christmas movies that you wish to share

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To the best of my knowledge, I have never heard a Christmas or seasonal song that I did not like. Even the irreverent Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer or the dogs barking the tune to Jingle Bells bring much joy. Blue Christmas is a song I wanted to include on my top ten list for one reason, that being the fact that the original singer, Ernest Tubb, is probably the only professional that makes me sound good. It should also be noted that Elvis in singing his hit version of this song had a problem pronouncing the word “Christmas.”

R. Norman’s Top Ten Favorite Christmas (or seasonal) Songs

10. Jingle Bells - Probably the first one any of us knew.

9 Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - Proved that there is value in all. I like Mrs.

Johnson’s version best.

8. Angels We Have Heard on High - This song can really get your blood flowing. Great Chorus!

7. Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting--) - “Merry Christmas to You.”

6.Sleigh Ride - One of the first songs I sang to my children.

5.Joy to the World - The traditional one- not the Three Dog Night version.

4.Merry Little Christmas - Great little song! Written before gay had a different

connotation.

3.O Come, All Ye Faithful - This year “let us adore him” and remember his

remarkable teachings.

2.White Christmas - Christmas without this song? Not at my house.

1.Silent Night- Harder to sing than most, but the music is beautiful and the words calm, bright, mother and child, tender and mild, really do make one think of Heavenly Peace.

Take the time to sing one of these or another favorite. It will certainly make your heart be lighter and filled with a greater feeling of joy.

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ODDS and ENDS

Why is it that during this wonderful season that some people have to fight with others at stores over certain items. The recent injuries caused battling for Air Jordan tennis shoes is beyond belief. Come on folks it is a pair of shoes!

On a more positive note, Martha and I visited Chicago for a few days recently. Even though we encountered large crowds, not once did we observe any person acting in a rude or unthinking manner. We had conversations with people from Canada, Alabama, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin, as well as others from Illinois. All were in great spirits and positive about the season and their visit to the city. There is a heck of a lot of good people in this great nation.

A very strange thing happened on the train on our way back. No, it was not the fact that Martha injured herself exiting the train in Carbondale. She is doing much better now and thanks to those of you that asked about her. The strange occurrence was when I went to the club car to get Martha a cup of coffee. As I walked by I glanced at a man reading a book in a booth. My glance turned into a stare and I called him by name. He responded by saying “yes, may I help you?” I told him who I was and he reacted in great surprise. We had not seen or been in contact with one another since he moved to Alaska 42 years ago. It is always good to see old friends around the Holidays.

Christmas is such a special holiday for us all. We sometimes go through the entire year not realizing the special feelings that we share with family, friends, and others who may touch our life. Christmas is that one time of the year when we reflect on how truly important others are to us. My wish is for each of us to keep that same feeling alive with us during the entire year.

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Our winner of a $10.00 gift card from Subway is Joe Venable. Joe knew that going into last week as the Denver Broncos quarterback, Tim Tebow, had helped his team to six straight victories. Maybe we jinxed Tebow as his team fell short last Sunday. Congratulations Joe and thanks to all who entered.

This is a real easy one to end the year. Going into Saturday’s games, which NFL quarterback leads the league in total yards passing?

If you know the answer, please email me at brm48@hotmail.com to be included in the drawing for a $10.00 gift card from Subway.

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Until next time,

Pay attention,

Hustle, and always

Use your “noodle.”