CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
How to fight evil symptom
In America this time of year, children write to Santa, who they believe is real. As an 80-year-old geezer, I write to you in the spirit of Christmas that I know is real.
We are concerned about evil in our nation. Evil is a symptom. The problem is we have denied we are a Christian nation and we have taken the Bible out of our schools and churches.
“Teach the young and they will remember when they are old.”
Merry Christmas.
DEAN HODGES, Twin Falls
THANK YOU ...
... to Daniel’s memory
An act of kindness: Saturday my wife was in line at the Fred Meyer in Garden City to put gas in her vehicle. The car ahead of her pulled out and she took his spot. When she took the hose out of the pump to fill her tank, something fell on the ground. My wife picked it up to discover a handwritten note attached to a $20 bill. The note read: “Daniel Barden, (age) 7. In honor of the 26 victims in Newtown, Conn., I am doing 26 acts of random kindness. You are No. 5 (of) 26 acts.” It turns out Daniel was indeed one of the students who died in the mass shooting.
Thank you, anonymous donor. Your $20 will be placed in a Salvation Army kettle.
MIKE RIEBS, Star
... for wonderful gift card
Thank you, Jesus.
As my wife and two small children waited in the checkout line at the Meridian Winco, a woman handed me a Winco gift card and said, “Merry Christmas.” I replied with, “Thank you and Merry Christmas,” and she hurried off to hand out more gift cards. The back of the card said, “From Jesus.” I just wanted to share my gratitude and say thank you! The gift card was for $50 and always helps at this time of year.
ANDY PARKER, Kuna
... to Brittany
With all the bad news we’re bombarded with in the media, it can be easy to overlook that there are good, honest, caring people in the world doing heroic things, large and small.
One of these people found my wallet recently (I didn’t even know I lost it), and when she went to turn it into the store I’d been shopping at earlier that day, she was told they’d “try” to contact me, and if they couldn’t get ahold of me after a couple of days, they would “throw it away.”
That didn’t sit right with her, so she took my wallet, tried to find my phone number through an online search, and when she couldn’t find it (after making some calls to people she thought might be connected to me), she went all the way across town to the sherriff’s office and turned my wallet in. I now have my “life” back in my hands.
Thank you, Brittany, for going above and beyond and for being the type of person we should all aspire to be. You are an inspiration.
Merry Christmas.
VIRGINIA PEREZ, Boise
... to two thoughtful ladies
Thank you!
Recently our two teenage boys went out to breakfast with two of their friends. When they went to pay for their meals, the waitress told them the two ladies behind them had already paid for their breakfast. They were absolutely shocked and so grateful. They immediately came home and told my husband and I about this amazing experience. They were so thankful to these two ladies! We have no idea who they are, but just wanted to give them both our sincere appreciation. What an amazing community we live in, with such wonderful people.
SUZIE STANCIL, Eagle
... to opponent, supporters
I want to begin by publicly thanking my opponent, former Sen. Toryanski, for his service to our district, and that we both were able to run good, clean races based upon the issues facing our district and Idaho.
To my constituents in District 18 (South and Southeast Boise), I want to thank all of you that supported me and even (especially) those that did not. I will work to represent all of you to the best of my abilities. To that end, I have acquired a new website, idaho.district18.us. This is not intended to be a political website, but rather a portal to nonpartisan and impartial information to benefit you. Content will include:
Æ District 18 community forums information;
Æ My office hours;
Æ Legislation I’ve drafted and its status;
Æ Noteworthy legislation and status;
Æ Links to newsletters and other commentary;
Æ Contact information;
Æ And more!
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as your state senator. Should you have any questions in the weeks and months ahead, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I can be reached at bdurst@senate.idaho.gov or by calling (208) 891-2255. I am here to serve you, and take that responsibility very seriously.
BRANDEN DURST, Boise
ROAST GOOSE
Cook the geese
Roast goose for the Idaho Foodbank. If donations are still needed, may I suggest some of the geese that are leaving messes everywhere. Also, a roast goose would make a delicious Christmas dinner for anyone.
JANET H. HOLLAND, Meridian
