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MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL |
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Written by Tim Gobble, Sheriff
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Friday, 18 December 2009 |
I would like to send my best wishes to you all for health and happiness during the holiday season and throughout the years ahead. As we celebrate Christmas this week, I hope we will remember the concepts of peace on earth and goodwill to others.
We have several holiday traditions at the Gobble household and, like so many others, our favorites involve simply spending time with family. Having the family together and watching the old Jimmy Stewart classic, “It’s A Wonderful life” is a great way to usher in the Christmas season. At some point when everyone’s schedules allow, we also like to have a “Scrooge Party,” where we all have bowls of soup and enjoy the old black and white version of “A Christmas Carol.”
Our family enjoys a very conventional Christmas, gathering with the extended family at someone’s home on Christmas Eve to share a great home-cooked meal and open gifts around a beautifully decorated tree. When the children were younger, as bedtime neared, we would return home in anticipation of Santa Claus coming. With cookies and hot chocolate, I would gather the children on the couch in front of the fireplace and read to them from “The Night Before Christmas.” Following the story, they headed off to bed in anticipation of Santa’s visit.
Now that the children are older, it is still the greatest blessing to have them home and spend time with them on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
As so many people take to their automobiles, traveling locally and out-of-state to visit friends and relatives, shopping, and just driving around enjoying the Christmas lights, it is easy to become distracted. Let’s be extra careful to look out for the other guy. Nothing ruins the season quicker than accidents and injuries on the highway.
Also, do not drink and drive. If you become impaired from alcohol or drugs and get behind the wheel of an automobile, you will be placing yourself and others at great risk. If you are driving while impaired and get pulled over by a law enforcement officer, it can cost you your freedom and hefty fines in court. A DUI arrest can also result in increased insurance premiums and put a blot on your driving record.
Every aspect of drinking and driving carries possible negative results. If you will consider the risks, you will realize it is simply not worth it. Too many innocent people have lost their lives on our roadways because of the diminished abilities of a drunk driver. Surely someone in your group can abstain from alcohol for one night and serve as a designated driver. If not, then perhaps you could take it upon yourself to be that designated driver.
Again, my best wishes to all during the Christmas season and throughout the coming year.
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