By Joan Nash, Court House.
This year will be the first time in more than 15 years that I have not been at my Herald computer preparing readers’ stories for the Christmas issue. Contrary to what some of you may believe, I did not retire and abandon you. I was “restructured” for lack of a better word. This happens when companies regroup, move people around (and out) to restructure and move in a new direction. I am currently in the job market looking for new opportunities. That being said, I miss all of you already.
The first Yule writer who comes to mind is Father Michael Orsi. You may remember his story last year about the Christmas tree in the classroom that was full of bugs…turns out the tree had been cut down somewhere along the parkway.
I always looked forward to hearing from Sr. Mary Heller and her update on Cricket the cat. I wonder if Cricket and his siblings grew in number this year.
And I am sure you all remember Francis Dachowski, formerly of Rio Grande (now North Cape May if he hasn’t moved since last year) and his wonderful Christmas railroad display. Last year, Dachowski dedicated his efforts to the emergency responders, utility workers and all who lent aid after Hurricane Sandy.
David Hovan Check who normally sent holiday poems for our Christmas issue, talked last year about the passing of his mother and wonderful dishes she always prepared for Christmas.
Pastor Rudy always provides us with a lot of inspiration in his Christmas column (in all his columns for that matter.) Last year you may remember, he talked about the Christmas gift of touch.
Sheila Anne Jargowski is known for her great recipes. Last year it was for a Christmas/birthday pound cake. Jargowski lamented on the dilemma of those whose birthdays come at Christmas.
You might remember that Editor Al Campbell talked about Christmas in a nursing home last year, an accounting of Frank Campbell’s Christmas alone in a nursing home since the passing of his wife, May.
Many of the regular writers were missing last year. I hope some of them will have returned in time for this year’s Christmas issue. The one thing we can count on is the late Herald editor Joe Zelnik’s traditional offering of inexpensive gift suggestions.
Finally, I would like to wish all readers a Merry Christmas. While I am not there to receive your holiday submissions, you are not forgotten!
Avalon – The lights in New York Times Square on 37th Street are shining brightly once again. However, they are a nuisance and very unattractive. This is known as light trespassing and it affects migrating…
