Even though December comes last on our annual calendar and that I personally don’t care for the weather that normally occurs in the month, there are many neat things that happen in the month that are worthy of discussion. Please continue reading…
Before a discussion of our twelfth month I would like to mention a couple of things that occur in November since my last column.
First of all, the American people have spoken and a “new” president has been elected.
I don’t know about you but…
I am not sure how this is going to turn out but I think it should be a very interesting four years. In a time when I think that Americans should be growing closer together, I am not sure we could have elected a more polarizing figure to lead our country. Only time will tell.
Also in November I had an opportunity to attend my first University of Illinois football game in a long time (since well before the pandemic).
I don’t know about you but…
I think that the pageantry of live college football is one of the best sports atmospheres there is. The tailgating, the band and the other productions associated with the event make it a festive place to be. And while it is really nice that the Illini have a team worth taking the time, energy and expense of watching live, I did remember one drawback of attending such an event live.
The TV timeouts are just entirely too long and when you live there you can’t just flip the channel to another game or show. I am sure that those of you that have ever sat through a 3-minute plus TV timeout at a live sporting event in inclement weather would agree. Well anyway, Oskee Wa Wa.
One of the things that started in November and will continue throughout the month of December is the ringing of the Salvation Army Christmas kettles.
I don’t know about you but…
I think that Eddie Tolliver and the people at the Kewanee Salvation Army do a great job all year long. Please give generously as your donations will help them in their mission of helping our struggling neighbors with their basic needs and to provide clothing and gifts for their children. Heck, if you are a mind to you can even sign up for a shift ringing the bell. I am sure they could use your help.
Dec. 7 is Pearl Harbor day. I don’t know about you but…
I regard the 9/11 of my parent’s generation as a date that should be remembered throughout eternity. I believe that the horrible events that occurred on Dec. 7, 1941 and Sept. 11, 2001 did serve to bring Americans together. I hope that it will not take such a horrific event of that nature to unite us again. Only time will tell.
I don’t know about you but…
I believe that the lighting of Northeast and Windmont parks’ Christmas lights, which occurs this year on Sunday, Dec. 8, is really a wonderful event for Kewanee. It takes a lot of work by the many volunteers to make these events happen. Thanks to all the contributors. Please take time to enjoy what their labors have created.
Good Fellow’s Baskets will be delivered on Dec. 20. I don’t know about you but…
I think the efforts of Amron Buchanan, Ken Knowles and the army of volunteers, as well as all that have donated to the cause, should be recognized. Last year Good Fellow’s delivered food baskets to 890 families in Kewanee and Neponset. All in all, over 2000 individuals received assistance. This year the group is estimating that around 1000 food baskets will be delivered. The cost of this undertaking is staggering. Please support the Good Fellow’s mission that “No One in Kewanee Should Be Hungry at Christmas” if you are able.
Winter Solstice is on Dec. 21. I don’t know about you but…
That date is one of my favorites of the year. It marks the turning point when the length of daylight increases and the length of nighttime decreases. I regard it as the time of year that starts the progress of returning to more light and less darkness in my world. Each passing day after that point brings me closer to the spring and summer weather, and the golf season I so enjoy.
I don’t know about you but…
I believe that no column on December would be complete without the mention of Christmas. I still find it amazing that the son of a Jewish carpenter born over 2000 years ago still has a profound influence on life as we know it on our planet. I also believe that no matter what religion you practice, or even if you are an atheist, living your life in the manner that Jesus Christ taught during his lifetime is absolutely the best way to go about conducting one’s life. I mean what is wrong with practicing peace, love of your fellow man and forgiveness of those that transgress against you?
I don’t know about you but…
To me cold weather and darkness are conducive to taking naps. Imagine that!
I don’t know about you but…
I think it is time to wrap up this month’s column. I do so with the thought of the month which is simply “Peace on Earth”. It is a simple hope that I think Jesus Christ would approve.
