Editor, Gazette-Journal:

As time flies by and the silver years quickly approach the golden, most of us realize that it is the simple things in life that make us truly happy.

Each December, I wait eagerly to see Santa standing sentinel at North End Bridge atop the roof of Mr. Marvin Soles. Thank you, Mr. Marvin and Danny, for bringing smiles to the faces of passersby.

Thanks to Elsa and Paul Verbyla for continuing the tradition of lighting a tree on the second-story porch of the Cooke family home. Each time I drive by, I fondly remember Mr. Earl Peterson. With a sweet smile, Mr. Earl would say, “Tell your children I got that tree up today.”

Finally, thanks to the directors, choir and actors at Bethel’s Christmas Pageant. If there is anything more precious than children dressed in costumes for a nativity scene, I haven’t discovered it yet. I have to say, once again, it was the best Christmas Pageant ever. Wishing each of you a Merry Christmas and a happy, heal...