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The peace that comes on Christmas Eve,
Is a blessing to all men,
And the love of those who share our lives,
Is a gift to you I send.
Friendships are the gifts that last,
Throughout the lengthening years,
And friends who are the dearest,
Have shared our joys and tears.
A Holiday wish this season is filled with happiness and joy for all families as they continue to gather together to celebrate new hope for a year ahead. With so many family members now apart, it is good that the weather remains somewhat stable for us to travel. Several friends that I have talked with have remarked that the holidays are so different now than when they were growing up in our small town. Most had extended family here in the area and houses were full of company coming and going throughout the season enjoying good food, conversation, and just being together as a family at least once a year. My aunts and uncles were close by on Kline Street and Second Street and my cousins and aunt and uncle from Mentor would drop in every Christmas Day regardless of the weather. My cousins from Maryland would come and spend the week at my Uncle Rollie and Aunt Adelaide's on Kline Street. Dear friends would visit, the Arnott family, and others and enjoy our time together. My daughter Heidi as many of her friends too have found that times have changed with family very far apart at from coast to coast in the United States and also now in other countries. The connections we had we had when we were growing up often are no longer there for our children. Establishing new traditions to replace the old seems so cold over the internet.
Winter Parties were held by the PTO with help from parents and teachers on Thursday, Dec. 20, for students in the Prospect Elementary Schools. A teachers and staff luncheon was given for the Junior High and High School by the principals in each building.
One of the "new" traditions started last year in Girard City Schools is the "Gift of a Lifetime Program" in memory of Zachary David Latell. This program is a special holiday program conducted by Girard High School's Teen Institute for selected families in the Girard School District. The program is held in the Girard Intermediate School Gym and families received a letter to attend. Students see Santa who has received a wish list from the children and presents them with their gifts which have been purchased through donations from students, staff, and community. The program was held on Dec. 19. There are approximately 120 children and their families that attended the program this year. The Teen Institute members work very hard to create a wonderful program for these children. Games, food, and special crafts are part of the event as teens from the high school work with each child. Names of children and families are kept confidential and packages not only include toys but clothing and school items as well. Teachers Nick Cochran, Teen Institute Advisor, and teachers John Latell, Jim Tedesco, principals, and staff members help in preparing the program. This is the second year of this event and a special thank you is given to all who participated and helped make the event meaning for all.
The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a New Year's Eve Dinner Dance for their members and guests. Contact Dominic Ezzo for more information and reservations at 330-545-4191. The cost is $25 per person and doors open at 7 p.m. on Dec. 31. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m. with music by Rocco Monaco Band. The event will be held at the Girard Knights of Columbus Hall on State Street.
A Taste of Elegance is a celebration of winter with wine tasting at Rosetta Hall, St. Rose Church, on Sunday, Jan. 27, from 6 to 9 p.m. Semi-formal attire is requested. Price is $45 per person. The event is limited to 120 guests. Tickets are available at the St. Rose Rectory. Finger foods and wine tasting will be catered by Alberini' s Restarurant.
Ursuline College has a Master of Arts in Ministry Program. This program offers a focus on ministry in traditional and non-traditional settings, which develops academic competence, spiritual maturity and practical skills. Classes begin on Monday, Jan. 14. Call the Graduate Ministry Office at 440-646-8195 for more information. Scholarships are available. Contact St. Rose Rectory for more information about the program.
Retrouvaille, a lifeline for troubled marriages, has a weekend program planned on Jan. 11 in Beachwood, Ohio. For more information or to register call 1-800-470-2230. Call St. Rose Rectory for further information about the program.
The New Year offers a New Beginning and a hope for better days to come. For many it is a time for New Year's Resolutions and promises to be made to create a better life. For those of us with loved ones ill, it is a hope that the future holds a better time with healing and strength. As I read the words that my mother Jane has written over the years to begin each of these columns, I treasure them even more than I have before. Counting over 35 years of writing a weekly column and starting each one with a four line quatrain as well as writing longer poems for special days and times of the year adds up to tremendous number of poems. Sometimes I find the poetry she wrote for invocations or inspirational thoughts written on envelopes or just scraps of paper. As I find them and try to decipher the handwritten words, I think what a special gift that is to those who take time to read them. Even in high school, my mother wrote poetry and articles even for her yearbook and school papers. At YSU that continued in her own column called "Nosy Ned" which she wrote anonymously about things happening on campus. Not even her closest friends new she was writing the column until her final publication before graduation. The poems that she has written are her gift to all of us.
The New Year brings much hope to some,
Each one of us can pray,
That it will bring us happiness,
And sunshine that will stay.
We cannot see the year ahead,
For it's not meant to be,
Each day unfolds its plans for us,
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