The Christmas season is when I reach out to all the people who have been special in my life. Whether by writing Christmas cards, sending e-mail greetings, or sharing hugs, I'm always reminded of how blessed I am to have my wonderful friends. Henry Adams said, "One true friendship in a lifetime is much; two are many; three are hardly possible." If true friendship is that rare, just what makes people "friends?" ...more

December 13, 2009

Nazdar, The deadline is getting close for two positions on the Masaryktown council. A vice president and one director are needed. The election will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17, at the annual community meeting at the Masaryktown Community Hall on Lincoln Avenue. ...more

December 13, 2009

In response to the column by Raleigh Whiteman dated Dec. 3, I'll take the bait. The fact that your children (spouses and grandchildren) are unable to spend Christmas with you is a good sign. They are setting up their own family traditions. It is a tribute to you and their mother. Feel blessed. Forget shopping. You will be wasting a lot of time and money trying to find things they don't need or want. They will also be doing the same for you. As the patriarch of the family, you have an opportunity to change things. Return the real meaning of Christmas; it will be the greatest gift of all. Here are some suggestions: Rather than gift cards, make a donation to a cause they believe in, in their name. Do they love animals? Cancer, diabetes, heart association and Alzheimer's associations are donations well spent (let them know ahead of time that this is your plan this year so they don't waste all their time and money on you.) ...more

December 8, 2009

With a gift package to be sent to her grandchildren in Ontario, Canada, Sandra Mason looked for the right size shipping box Friday at the Lake Jackson branch of the U.S. Postal Service. ...more

December 7, 2009

Meaning of Christmas In response to the column by Raleigh Whiteman dated Dec. 3, I'll take the bait. The fact that your children (spouses and grandchildren) are unable to spend Christmas with you is a good sign. They are setting up their own family traditions. It is a tribute to you and their mother. Feel blessed. Forget shopping. You will be wasting a lot of time and money trying to find things they don't need or want. They will also be doing the same for you. As the patriarch of the family, you have an opportunity to change things. Return the real meaning of Christmas, it will be the greatest gift of all. Here are some suggestions: ...more

December 6, 2009

Ursi Heppner of Port Richey wants to know what happened to Christmas. ...more

January 7, 2009

Most people can't wait for Christmas. Morgan Jones, a member of the Sun City Center Railroad Club, looks forward to the day after Christmas. ...more

December 24, 2008

Scores of parents and grandparents with tots in tow gathered Dec. 13 at the Brandon Family Support and Resource Center, where holiday music and giggles filled the air and youngsters munched Christmas cookies while waiting for the man in the red suit to arrive. ...more

December 24, 2008

Kindergarten students from St. Mary's Episcopal Day School recently spread Christmas cheer to residents of At Home With Friends, performing a Nativity Pageant before a packed house. The children sang carols while presenting the story of the Christmas Miracle. The senior citizens were appreciative, and the kids were excited about sharing their presentation in festive attire. The children also made Christmas cards for the residents. ...more

December 24, 2008

Three Bay area members of Congress — Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Kathy Castor and Adam Putnam — say they intend to launch new congressional efforts to create a free-mail-to-troops program for service members in combat zones. ...more

December 23, 2008