A lot has happened in the past week. I've been to my first wrestling match, boys basketball game and girls basketball game for the 2010 - 2011 season. I love high school sports! We also got to see the Wrestling Cheerleading Squad and both basketball cheerleading squads. These girls work very hard and that hard work is evident from the very beginning. If you don't get a chance to catch a sporting event between now and Christmas, put the Holiday Basketball Tournament on your calendar.

I also attended Wintersongs 2010. I really don't have a lot to say about the concert that you have not already heard. The descriptive words I heard from audience members were "amazing", "awesome", "inspiring", and "remarkable"...also "The Port Allegany School District is "so lucky to have such talented kids"..."so lucky to have wonderful directors"...and some audience members even realized that the PASD is lucky to have a group like the Music Boosters who take care of box office, ushering, back stage tasks, chaperoning and refreshments! The music from Wintersongs not only gives me a dose of holiday spirit, it also gives me a short time to sit and relax. This year, however, I went back and forth from worrying about my daughter who was about to give birth to our tenth grandchild. Lexi and Matt left for the hospital after I had already arrived at the school. Did they need me? Lexi said to enjoy the concert...she would keep me posted. If you saw me checking my phone, I apologize. It's not something I typically do during a concert, but I thought I might have to make a quick trip to Bradford. That trip, however, didn't happen until the next afternoon. Christian Lloyd Reed was born at 4:35 a.m. He weighed in at 7 pounds and 5 ounces and is 19 and one-half inches. Congratulations to Matt, Lexi, Makayla and Lillianne...what a nice Christmas present!

The "Lloyd" in Christian Lloyd is, of course, after my father...and Christian's great-grandfather. Speaking of Lloyd...I got a pack of the McKean County Historical Playing Cards which as described on the box is "a normal deck of playing cards featuring 58 unique photos of the McKean County, PA area!". The Jack of Clubs has a photo of my dad. The card was sponsored by the First National Bank and it was noted on that card that he gave 64 years of service to the FNB. The cards make pretty cool presents. Call the McKean County Historical Society at 887-5142 to find where you can get this special deck of cards.

We have an early deadline this week and I want to make a quick trip to Bradford to see Christian and his mom, so I'll end this week's offering with a wish for a very blessed and happy holiday for everyone! Merry Christmas...stay safe!!