Page 2 CLINCH VALLEY TIMES, St. Paul, VA, Thursday, December 18. 2008
ships..and sealing wax..by Ann Young Gregory
Rea, ty yet?
• They say we learn from our mistakes. Don't I mortally terrified. However, I overcome'that feelin
wi.'sh! "They" also say that those who don't know occasionall when I. insvired bv one m favn,-i
• . , Y . _ , of __.V ........
mstory are doomedto repeat it..That s very well and Food Network recipes, need a really good knife, and it
gooo, except mat t Know the history, but keep on really is amazing how much more efficiently I can do
i'epeating it, anyway* what --- J ...........
. .., .. • . .t neeus to oe none wlm, it than wath a common
• . It s t.ne season, o.tcourse. The basra reason for the ordmary knife[ And it didn t matter that it came a
¢elet?.ratlon is well m place, and we've enjoyed the little late[
spe lal Advent services and other Christmas acUvmes So even Tillie, wi.'th whom I learned the whole art
urcn. Jnose real ceJeorauons ot tStmstmas aren t of Ch(i'stmas shopping when we were eight, hasn't
me proolem, got it down pat vet, eitherW
• It's the secular part of the celebration that I don't I did get Christmas cards addressed some time
eem to.be able to get down pat, even though I've ago, but I was late getting my second-ever Christmas
oeen at it I0r more years than I'm going to tell you letter for our out-of-town friends finished, so I didn't
about. I think that this portion of Christmas, if done in get them all sent until last week. The operative word,
the loving and giving spirit of the season, can be as however, is sent (rather than "will send' L so that job
me aningfi?.l in our friendships and family relationships is done[ " "
as me mum part of Christmas--but it must be done in I had a rather tedious week last week--I w "
the same spirit,. It's just when we (like I've done)let to get over a horrible cold, and in spite of n tSfet el]ng
it get out of hand that it becomes more burden than on top of my game, I had to manage a much more
blessing! ....... than-strenuous• schedule. On Friday, thinking about
J starteo aolng my own tgtmstmas shopping when the holiday, I realized that Christmas w
I was eight--I've told you about that trip, and another two weeks away, and I panicked Reall than
one the year after that. My friend Tillie and I, each went back and looked wh :_ __ ed. (!
.............. • ,otv m space JUSt
,al ea With aoout two aOllars (a tortuRe m about a year ago, and wasn't really surprised to find
y v/something) had permission when we left school that I hit pure panic, relative to the state of my
in the afternoon to go across the street to the bus stop shopping, at about the same time last yeart) Actually,
(rather than go home), each spend a nickel of our some of my shopping--for local and area fi'iends alad
long-saved fortunes on bus fare downtown, and then those whose packages must be mailed, was in pretty
we spent several absolutely enchanting hours in good shape. The ones who were "
Kresge's and Woolworth's, the only stores that held'if I didn't get going, however, g°l?t°d°s h°y
any fascination whatsoever for third-graders. In those family. Oh, I had little odds and ends that I've picked
two dime stores, we could find everything we could up over the past few months, but nothing significant. I
hope to be able to bestow upon our families and our DID have a little,list which I ve been accumulating,
friends as Christmas gifts--and we got back to the bus of things which I ve heard various of them say they
stop loaded down with packages, holding candy might like to have, but the list had just sat there. That
apples, and each of us still had the nickel which was panic is what prompted the shopping trip Saturda
required to get us home! Those were really good old morning--and is what lad m ,- ........ ,, y
• . . ,~ ............... omputer unaay
days alad I remember them--in some detafl--wath afternoon. I spent several hours at a few specific
tremenoous alIection, lnternet sites, and managed to find what I needed,
Tillie and I still stay in close touch, and I finally plus some other things. Actually, I think that maybe
g° hhe t C stn at lP eu e:seady, t°° ma ltggk Ftdana regret yesterday tafternoon in Jkhuary-wh e
another special package to the UPS store in Abingdon °/ toLar°al n]ShaaamvvVeto do is hope the thimzs I've
nll°TthwtYht°s h°u g ooS t od amc arndn Iqel msruled ordered man .age to get here in time. To get out'of the
........... g ., y .stress-proaucmg part of this whole thing, we made a
t n:Yg0helrwneaaYs n inWg hPepp ekw;:tr ane a Uo ' shor[, trip tiffsweek to work on a project that our
.... v,- unoay cnool class is doing for Christmas, and
Good Hope or to Vladivostok rather than to Lexing- that's always fun and seems to be what the givin vart
ton, Kentucky, which is all of 200 miles away. My of the holiday is all abouV "
point, however, is that I got this wonderful, and I Let me remind you" that the St Paul United
must-say, typical, e-mail back from Tillie, s in e :i Methodist Church will again host "a Community
was to .tally un nsplred as far as C hristm shopping/ , Christmas Dinner on Thursday, December 25, from
oecoraung/coomng were concernea t.sne s almost al- 12 noon until 1:30. Everyone is invited to attend, and
ways uninspired when it comes to cooking, and I there is, of course no char e " "
, • • • . . , g, nor st necessary to
don t think it wall offend her for me to tell you that, bnng anvthin Favors have ¢,..
even.though she's the same one whose extravagantly everyone who"attends, and photo aphsm r dng th" e
and beautifully remodeled kitchen includes a floor . occasion will again be taken for guests to take home.
:, c dnera f woodt from Triple Crown wlnn?r .War Please join us--bring family, neighbors, out-of-town
:. s oarn.) Anyway, sue went on to say mat sue guests--all will be most welcome
"had no idea what she wanted to give to me, and that By the time that day comes, I'll have calmed
she'll have it to me by June. I don't think that was down, my packages will have come (or not), they'll
meant as a joke, either. I got my 2007 Christmas be fluffed and wrapped, and the holiday itself can be
present from her in the spring of 2008--it was a enjoyed forjust what it is!
wonderful (and elegant) chef's knife, of which I'm : I really do love Christmas!
Letters to the editor
e o o ~
Readers are invited to write
letters on matters of general
?interest to, the public. Letters do
not necessarily reflect the
philosophy or editorial policy of
this newspaper, which reserves
the right to edit letters. The
Clinch Valley Times will not
print unsigned letters.
To the Editor:
I wish to express a heartfelt
where you can design and thanks to all who worked and
customize your greeting cards were a part of the removal of my
and choose the day you want great grandparents Nathan
your cardsmailed. Fletcher Blevins and Francis
We're here to help you Palmer Blevins from Dominion
through the holidays! site to Temple Hill for reburial in
Happy holidays,
Roberta M. Hammons
Postmaster
St. Paul
To the Editor:
Send a Card. Package or
Letter to Santa--Your local Post To the Editor:
Office will help you through the I noticed about three months
Holidays. before the election that all papers
It's that time of year again carrying Letters to the Editor was
filled up with letters concerning
and we're ready to help our
customers with their holiday their candidates. Since the
mailings. We have free Priority election was over on November
Mail and Express Mail packag- 4, it's all been about Christmas,
Castlewood. A special thanks
goes to Mike Powers at Temple
Hill for allowing me to select a
proper place for my loved ones.
To Cathy Maine and the workers
at Dominion for taking me to the
old cemetery once more before
removal, to the lawyers and
judge at Wise Courthouse, for
Julia Wright who so graciously
supplied me with a picture of my
great grandmother and finally to
Meghan Cloud of Charlottesville,
VA who kept me informed on a
daily basis on what to expect at
ing supplies, plenty of holiday Santa Claus and parades. With the removal of my ancestors.
stamps in stock--Holiday Nut- 92% of the United States having God bless all of you.
cracker and Christmas Virgin some form of religion it amazes Mary Ann Blevins Post
and Child with the Young John me that no one has wrote any
the Baptist by Sandro Botticelli- letters about the one who made
-and, as always, we pledgeChristmas all possible. Well, he Wise County
excellent customer service, was born from a virgin in
From the time you drop your Bethlehem stayed here for 33 Sheriff' s Report
mail in a blue collection box or
at the Post Office and it makes
its way through processing and
distribution and is delivered by
letter or rural carrier, we make
sure your letters and packages
get to their destination on time.
"In Appalachian, our overnight
First-Class Mail delivery perfor-
mance is 98 percem.
And there's still plenty of
time to mail your holiday greet-
ings and packages. The Postal
Service recommends the follow-
ing mail-by dates.
i eDec. 16--Parcel Post, the
most economical shipping ser-
vice
eDee. 20--First Class Mail
*Dec. 20--Priority Mail
eDec. 23--Express Mail
We'll also be happy to
explain how you can print and
pay for shipping labels from
your home or office and request
~ee Carrier Pickup. After you
get home from shopping, you
don't have to go out again to
mail your packages--your letter
or rural carrier will pick it up on
the next day. Check out
usps.com for other holiday fea-
tures inch,dioo postal-related
gift items and the CardStore
years healing the sick, opening
blinding eyes and even raising
the dead. He went about doing
nothing but good. Then went to
Golgotha Hill and paid a debt he
didn't owe, because we made a
debt we couldn't pay by dying on
the cross he paid that debt. And
arose on the third day and
ascended back to heaven; and is
alive forever more. His name is
"Jesus Christ". Since we are now
living in the two thousands it's
probably not important we talk
about more important things like
Rudolph and the rest of his
reindeers that don't exist. Oh by
the way when you send
Christmas cards sign them Merry
X-mas or Merry Ho/Ho Day, just
don't say anything pertaining to
Christ and His Birthday and
don't worry about how you will
make your credit card payment
next year. When the credit card
companies run out of money our
government will bail them out.
Through the holidays if you
do happen to find time, be sure
you help the choir sing "Oh how
I love Jesus."
Merry Christmas to all
Pastor: Jessie M. Jones
The Wise County Sheriff's
Office reports the following
activities for the period of
12/01/2008 through 12/07/2008.
Wise Central Dispatch received a
total of 1,315 calls for this seven-
day period. Of the total calls
received 391 were dispatched to
the Sheriff's Office. Total num-
ber of Domestic calls for this
period was 18. Criminal Process
for the same period served 12
Felony Warrants, 56 Misdemean-
or Warrants, issued 20 Traffic
Summons and worked 4 Traffic
Accidents. Civil process for this
period served 562 Civil Papers.
During this seven-day period J2
additional Criminal Investiga-
tions were initiated and 35 were
cleared by arrest. The Sheriff's
Office provided 180 man-hours
of Court Room Security for the
three courts.
The Sheriff's Office tran-
sported 1 adult in state, 0 adult
out of state, 1 mental patient, and
3 juveniles for a total of 5
transports, involving 39 hours.
The Sheriff's Office unlocked
2 vehicles and escorted 4
funerals during this seven-day
period.
l
Capxtol
Commentary
by Congressman Rick Boucher
TEST YOUR PREPAREDNESS FOR THE DTV TRANSITION i iii
On February 17, 2009, the verter box and it is not working,:-
nation will undergo a change in an antenna adjustment or a new~:
the way television broadcasting antenna may be necessary, It if~
is transmitted over the air. On also important to note that digital
that day, television stations will stations may be on different,~"
terminate broadcasting analog channel numbers than analo~
signals, which are the current stations. In view of the fact that;"
predominant method of transmit- antenna adjustments and
ring television signals through- antenna installations may take i
out the United States. Thereafter, some time, it's a good idea to':~
the new method of television address transition needs now:~
broadcasting signals will be rather than waiting until the last;~I !
digital (DTV). The DTV Trans- minute. ::, ~!
ition will provide television Television stations across the,"
viewers with clearer pictures and region are airing several tests!:i
more program choices and will during which you may learn if
free up major portions of the your television will work afte#;
airwaves for public safety corn- the DTV Transition Virginia,~
munications such as police, fire broadcasters will cease trans->;
and rescue, and for new broad- mitring their analog signals for~
band wireless services. With~ five minutes on several duress':
February 17, 2009 only a few during the next two months :i
months away, I am encouraging During these tests, broadcastem~:
all Southwest Virginians to test will stop their regularly schedu~;
their preparedness for the DTV uled analog programming and~
Transition now. will broadcast a messagei:
If your television is con- providing information about the i
nected to cable or satellite, your DTV Transition. These tests will¢
service provider will make sure be apparent to over-the-ai~:~
that your television set receives a television viewers only, and ifZ
v!ewable ~mage after the trans- programming is interrupted dur~..~
mon. ~t you watcla television ing these times, you might need
over-the-air, you might need a to take steps to prepare your
converter box or a new antenna television to receive a digital
to continue receiving a signal signal. Tests on Virginia station~!
after the DTV transition. If you are schedules on the followin~
have a digital television set and dates: •
watch television over-the-air, • Wednesday, December
your television is capable of17 during the 6:00-6:30 PM
receiving a digital signal. If you newscast.
watch television with an analog * Tuesday Janu~,~ 6
TVbStet 7ards geotrYOur signal by during the ~6:30-7:00~ AI~"
an outdoor newscast. ,
antenna, you will need a digital . Thursday, January l~t
to analog converter box. Finally, during the 6:00-6:30 PI~
if you watch television over-the- newscast.
air on a digital or analog set, you * Wednesday, Januarv 2 [
may need to attach a new duringthell:00"-ll:30ne'ws~
antenna or adjust your present cast.
antenna to continue receiving Additionally, all TV station[
signal after the DTV transition, are currently transmitting botl[I
The federal government has analog and digital signals, pro~
a program to help pay for the viding an immediate opportunit~
converter boxes. They are avail- for determining if your preserff
able for sale in retail electronics equipment configuration will b,
products stores and cost between adequate to receiving digit~
$50 and $70. All U.S. house- transmission or will requir~l
holds may receive up to two $40 some adjustment, |
coupons to go toward the pur- For additional information[
chase of up to two digital-to- about the DTV Transition an[
analog converter boxes. To what you may need to do t~
request a coupon or for further prepare for it, visit the Feder
information on the coupons, Communications Commission'~
consumers can apply online at website http://www.dtv.gov/ 0~
www.dtv2009.org or call the 24 call 1-888-225-5322. You car~
hour hotline at 1-888-DTV- also request additional infor~
2009. It is important to note that marion about the DTV transitio~
the converter box coupons by visiting my websit~
expire 90 days from the date http://www.boucher.house/gov/
they are sent to you. or by calling my Abingdon
If you connect your con-office at276-628-1145. :~
Farm Bureau safety alert: holiday decorating I
-Take Precautions And Reduce The Risk of Fire-
Nobody doubts the wonder
and amazement of the holiday
season. The festive nature of
getting a tree and decorating
your house in the yuletide spirit
buoys even the most Grinch-like
adults. For many~ the spirit takes
on a child-like quality. Unfor-
tunately, that same spirit causes
people to forget to take pre-
cautions against accidents that
can ruin even the most festive
occasion.
"Two of every three home
fires started by Christmas trees
and decorations are the result of
electrical problems or a tree
being put up too close to a heat
source," says Jimmy Maass,
safety coordinator at Farm Bur-
eau Insurance. "There are a
handful of basic safety measures
home owners can take to sign-
ificantly help reduce the risk of a
fire during the festive holiday
season."
Maass' tips begin with the
simple step of making sure your
tree is properly watered. Dehy-
drated trees with brown needles
and dry limbs are a tremendous
fire hazard. Home owners
should check the water level in
the tree stand every evening and
re--fi-H-ff. Other basic-tips:
• Don't place your tree
too close to a heat source. In
addition to sparks from a fire-
place that may easily ignite a
tree, the pure heat will dry out
the tree. Make sure a tree is at
least three feet from a heat
source.
• Inspect your holiday
lights thoroughly before putting
them on the tree or around the
house. Check for bare spots,
frayed wires, and any extended
wear that may cause a short or
start a'fire.
• Don't overload a wall
socket and never plug more than
three strands of lights into any
socket. Use extension cords
wherever possible to cut down
on load.
• Don't leave lights
unattended, and unplug them
every night before bed. Unplug
extension cords when not in use.
• Roll up excess elect-
rical cords and keep them away
from high traffic areas.
• If you have children in
your home, use safety caps on
all electrical receptacles.
• If you are using an
artificial tree, make sure it is
nonflammable or fire-retardant.
• Avoid using candles
and never use them near a tree.
Never leave the house with a
burning candle.
Never use indoor light-
ing for outdoor decorations.
Check for red or green UL
marks on all light strings and
extension cords. The green
holographic UL Mark means the
light strings should be used only
indoors. The red holographic UL
Mark indicates the light strings
can be used both inside and out.
• If you decorate outside
the home, make sure you place a
ladder on even, level ground and
make sure all locks are engaged.
Don't place the ladder anywhere
near power lines.
• Always wear slip-re-
sistant shoes when climbing a
ladder.
Finally, says, Maass, "You
should always make sure your:
house is completely outfitted~
with fh'e alarms and exting-'
uishers, and make sure everyone..
knows how to use them. You:
should also create an escape plan
for your family, and review and.:
practice it in case the worst
Occurs." ~
Clinch
Valley
Times
MEMBER
VIRGINIA PRESS ASSOCIATION
Published weekly in St. Paul,
VA 24283, by the CLINCH
VALLEY PUBLISHING
CO., INC.
The Clinch Valley Times
serves the four-county area of
Wise, Russell, Dickenson and
Scott, with offices and plant
located in the CLINCH
VALLEY TIMES building,
16541 Russell Street. Perio-
dicals postage is paid at the
Post Office in St. Paul, V A
24283.
Ann Young Gregory Editor
Allen Gregory Advertising
Susan Trent Adv./Graphics
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24283
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Postal ISSN: 767600
