The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 14

www.pantagraph.com 'Dplnkm EDITORIAL BOARD HENRY Bird President and Publisher Barry Winterland General Manager Terry greenberg Editor Bill WILLS Editorial Page Editor Lenore S. Sobota Chief Editorial Writer RALPH DUDE Community Representative THE PANTAGRAPH Established in 1837 A14 The Pantagraph Thursday, December 25, 2003 YourViews Thanks to all involved with 'Spectacular' Just wanted to say thank you, thank you to all who participated in the Holiday Spectacular. It was spectacular! There are too many people to mention by name that deserve so much credit for giving of themselves, especially at this time of the year. I want to thank each of you and want each person, adult and child, to know how much their hard work was appreciated. It was just wonderful to go and relax and see such a professional show.

The sets couldn't have been better, the costumes, the lights, all the magnificent voices. God gave them all a gift and it is so generous of them to share their gift and help us brighten our holiday season. Thanks to The Pantagraph and Marcia Basolo. Nancy K. Brady Rural Hudson Chance encounter left some heroes in its wake A dog is a companion and a friend.

I almost lost mine. Chance is 117 pounds. He is about 5 years old. Sunday night (Dec. 14), we let him out, but he didn't come back in.

Our new puppy, Loki, came in very wet. I went out to look for Chance. I shone the flashlight on the pond and there was Chance. He was hanging there on the ice near the middle of our frozen pond. I ran in and called 911.

while Celeste took us to a hospital. The damage was mostly to my wife's face. A long cut above her left eye took the full impact; no broken bones and she is recovering very well. Also kudos for the staff at OSF St. Joseph's Medical Center for the very attentive manner in which the situation was handled.

It's so nice to know there are strangers who are willing to stop and help you in your time of need. Residents of Normal are truly blessed. Joe and Rachel Molano Union Gap, Wash. Holiday show lives up to spectacular billing Last Saturday (Dec. 13), my wife and I had the pleasure of attending the (Pantagraph) Holiday Spectacular at the Center for the Performing Arts.

In a word, it was truly "spectacular." While our original motivation for attending was to see our granddaughter perform, we had no idea what a terrific show awaited us! The hundreds of performers and others behind the scenes, can surely take great pride in giving the Bloomington-Normal community a show that will be long remembered. I hope that you will continue sponsoring this great event for many years to come. Having lived in the community for 30 years prior to our retiring in Kentucky, we will certainly consider coming north again next year to see another terrific program whether or not we have a granddaughter performing! Thanks again for a memorable evening and keep up the good work. Paul and Kathey Shaw Murray, Ky An abundance of talent in Spectacular shows I would like to comment on the wonderful talent that was displayed in both acts in the Pantagraph's Holiday Spectacular. I agree with Mr.

(Bernie) Anderson, it show, let it show Page A3, Dec. 13). It was very hard to pick what I didn't like as I enjoyed everything, as my friends did also. We went in a group from our church, Alice Hefner Lexington I was so scared. Then I called our next-door neighbor.

He came right over. Soon we heard the firefighters in the distance. Our neighbor across the pond came rushing over as well. The Downs Fire Department got Chance out'of the pond, with our neighbors at their side. Two of the firefighters had to get in the water with Chance to help lift him into the boat.

It was hard. They got Chance into our car and my mom and aunt took him to the emergency veterinary clinic. It was a long wait until we heard from the veterinarian clinic. My dog was very cold but stable. They did a wonderful job taking care of mom and our dog.

We picked up Chance the next morning. Downs Fire Department, Allen and Mike, saved Chance's life, along with the emergency veterinary clinic. He is just happy to be alive. I'm happy he is, too. I am so happy our heroes saw Chance not as a dog, but our best friend.

This was the scariest thing in my life, and it had a happy ending. Friendship is a blessing; don't let it fall under the ice. Brittany Evans Rural Bloomington Free Bob Evans lunch appreciated by co'uple On Dec. 9, a couple of weary shoppers managed to get to Bob Evans (801 IAA Drive, Bloomington) for lunch. Soup, cobbler and tea and coffee restored our spirits.

Actually, we perked up even more when our waiter informed us an anonymous person had paid for our lunch. We would like to thank that person for being so kind to a couple of senior citizens who were as tired as we looked. Helen and John Fares Chenoa Strangers' help after nasty fall was a blessing We would like to thank a very nice lady who helped my wife after a nasty fall on a raised sidewalk a block away from Doud Drive where our daughter, Celeste Sei-del lives while we were visiting, celebrating Thanksgiving as well as our 39 years of marriage. I don't remember her name, but I do recall her identifying herself as an RN, a very concerned person. She took us in her vehicle to our daughter's house.

Bob, her husband, stayed with the children OurVlews Is there a Santa Claus? As certainly as love exists EDITOR'S NOTE: The following editorial, among the most famous ever written, appeared in The New York Sun in T897 and remains appropriate for this holiday season 106 years later. We take pleasure in answering at once and thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun: Dear Editor! I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, "If you see it in The Sun it's so." Please tell me the truth: Is there a Santa Claus? Virginia O'Hanlon. 115 West Ninety-Fifth Street.

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little.

In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasp-ing the whole of truth and knowledge. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give your life its highest beauty and joy Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence.

We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal life with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the ehimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there -is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither chil-' idren nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there.

Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world. You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the jftoise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world jMiich not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of 2ill the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that Seurtain and view and picture the supernatural beauty and beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is Jpothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever.

A Jfhousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of Khildhood. 'Home for Christmas' I carries special meaning i i ome Christmas, if only in my dreams." 5 I Those words are part of the lyrics from a song that JL was a hit for Bing Crosby in 1943, when the United States was in the middle of World War II. It's a song that continues to carry a special meaning today, as the country is in Jhe midst of another war. People were touched during The Pantagraph Holiday Spectacular when "I'll Be Home for Christmas" was performed as a 'tribute to current military personnel and veterans. The overriding message of the song is to continue with the tusual traditions snow, mistletoe, presents even if everyone can't be together for the holidays.

Just knowing those traditions are being carried on is important, even for those who Jcan't be present perhaps especially for those who can't be present. 0, It is good to see the many efforts being made to ensure our military personnel and their families are not forgotten, even -though loved ones can't be together. Zr These include literally a ton of items donated by the jTremont community, packages sent by Normal-based Unit 5 Jschool students and staff, and gift cards collected for military families. It's good to see entertainer Wayne Newton carrying on the traditions of Bob Hope, who died earlier this year. Newton ihas been chief trouper for the United Service Organizations Jfor two years, taking over the post once held by Hope.

Newton has been involved with USO tours since 1966. If we add some yellow ribbons or a red-white-and-blue to the usual red and green, it doesn't mean we've forgotten the reason for the season. Indeed, such remembrances Jare highly appropriate. Love and sacrifice are part of the message of Christmas. This is a fitting time to show our love for those serving our Jtountry and to recognize their sacrifice.

Ji This is also a suitable time to remember another message of Christmas: Peace on Earth. Don't be discouraged by continued strife, not only in Iraq 5 and Afghanistan but elsewhere throughout the world. Peace will triumph if good people continue to strive for it and be-ilieve in its power. A round of applause Z.T or all the Salvation Army bell ringers. Pantagraph Good Fellows, American Red Cross blood donors and many JL other volunteers and donors who played a role in bright-jTening the holiday season.

Those who strive to improve the 1 ives of neighbors even those they don't know add a special glow as bright as lights on the Christmas tree and outlin-v ing many houses. To all of those who gave of themselves, in time or money, we not only give you a hearty round of ap-Jplause but best wishes for a Merry Christmas, Happy 4, Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa or whatever occasion you LETTER GUIDELINES The Pantagraph welcomes letters commenting on current public issues. All letters are subject to editing and can be no more than 350 words. No more than one letter from the same person will be printed within 30 days. Only an original to The Pantagraph with the writer's name and complete home address will be accepted.

We do not open e-mail attachments. A daytime telephone number is required for verification. Send to: The Pantagraph Letters to the Editor P.O. Box 2907 Bloomlngton, IL 61702-2907 Fax number: (309) 829-7000 E-mail: bwlll8pantagraph.com Santa gave boys best gift of all: a family view. All night long he searched and searched to find his gift for you.

He'd watched you in your I dreaming, heard you as you' prayed. And that's how he decided what to bring on Christmas day. All at once he found it and stuffed it in his sack. It was a gift that you could hug, and it would hug you back. A present you could play with, and it would play with you.

A gift that you could love and love, and it would love you too. A present you had asked for, but only in your dreams. Exactly what you wanted more than anything. You thought that he forgot you, that Santa passed you by. But that's because you didn't see the twinkle in his eye.

Santa gave you something that you had never had. He gave you what you wanted most a loving Mom and Dad. By Charles McCoy Jr. Abandoned in Los Angeles at Christmas 25 years ago, two small brothers, ages 5 and 8, spent the holidays in a county foster facility, where they received nothing they had listed in their letters to Santa, The boys moved in with us in October the following year. As Christmas neared they asked why Santa had forgotten them the year before and feared he might forget again.

"Santa knew you were very sad last Christmas, we told them. "He remembers every child," we said, "including you." I wished I could take away the boys' sad memories from the prior Christmas, but I could not not ever. Abandonment leaves emotional scars that can last a lifetime. But, thinking about what had happened that lonely Christmas, I discovered a joyous truth hidden within the sadness. Santa may not have given the boys any things on their lists, but he had more in mind.

They thought Santa only made toys and came round just one night a year, but he had been with them and oh how Santa wished that he could give you back your joy. Santa 's toys are made with love each a work of art. But Santa knows that none of them can mend a broken heart. So Santa doesn't always bring just what you ask him to. He searches deep within your heart to find his gift for you.

He watches when you're dreaming, hears you when you pray. And that's how Santa chooses what to bring on Christmas day. Back and forth Santa paced, then sat down in his chair, scratched his head, thought and thought and fiddled with his hair. Soon he closed his big blue eyes, his cheeks all flushed and red. In a flash, he fell asleep, as if he were in bed.

And as he slept more deeply, he began to snore. Till the roaring of his snoring shook the workshop floor. Suddenly he woke up with a twinkle in his eye. "I'll give those kids a present money cannot buy. He grabbed his coat, rushed outside and disappeared from every day that December, not making toys but finding them a loving new family and home.

My wife and I were the family, and our house was the home. Santa Claus, for his part, turned out to be a real live, dedicated Los Angeles County adoption worker who knew how to make dreams come true. On their first Christmas with us, I wrote this poem for the boys telling what Santa did the year they thought he passed them by. If you wonder whether Santa Claus is real, just ask our now grown and happily married boys. SANTA'S GIFT TO YOU Gather round my children for a story that is true.

A story about Santa Claus and the gift he gave to you. You said that last year Santa didn't come your way, that there was nothing neath the tree for you on Christmas day. When last year Santa saw you in that foster home, he knew what you were feeling so sad and all alone. You wrote down what you wanted, made your list of toys, Charles IV. McCoy Jr.

is managing judge of the Complex Civil Litigation Courts in Los Angeles..