It’s all about family, happiness, giving - certainly from my experience anyway.

Nevertheless, I am truly surprised by the number of people who really hate Christmas.

Hard to believe, I know, but when you talk to some of these people, it highlights their loneliness, the difficult times they are enduring.

Seeing everyone cheerful and happy only tends to highlight their plight further.

Fortunately, we have very caring local organisations who reach out to most of these people and offer them some hope for a more pleasant Christmas Day (see picture below).

In our case, we have plenty to be thankful for, with all the family being home - and I think, most of the extended family as well.

It means a busy few days ahead, but it’s always most enjoyable - if a tad over indulgent.

It has been a remarkable year - certainly one of the most memorable in my 40, 50, or 60 years (whatever it is), and Christmas will just finish it off beautifully.

I wish the very best for everyone over this festive season.

Safe travels and a meaningful time for all.

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SPECIAL MESSAGE

I received a terrific greeting this week. It’s spot-on.  

Part of it read:

“Take a big deep breath and reflect on all that you have to be grateful for.

“Make sure that you spend quality time focusing on you. Yes, you read that correctly. Start with you!

“Put your arm around the people you love and care about. 

“While I'd like to think you do this every day, just maybe this time of year gives us the chance to think how you can do it better.”

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PREPARE FOR PARADE

I know Christmas hasn’t even finished yet  - but we still need to start thinking about the next big thing on our local agenda, the fantastic Elvis Festival.

It will sneak up on us, so we need to start thinking now about some aspects.

In particular, the street parade.

Organisers are now calling for local groups, businesses etc to start thinking about a float for the popular parade - and to let them know who will be involved.

We missed out on the Christmas parade so we can now devote our energies to Elvis.

There’s little doubt the parade is one of, if not the, highlight of the festival, so strong local representation is crucial.

Start thinking about your involvement.

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NICE NOTES

We received a lovely note this week from former Parkes woman, Kerryn Jones.

Kerryn is the Director of Roxby Downs Kindergarten, and we ran an article on her success in a major award a few weeks ago.

She sent us this message:

“Just to let you know I got a lovely surprise the other day when I received a package of stationery donated to our kindergarten from Createl Publishers after they saw the article you wrote about me in the Champion Post.”

A nice little boost before Christmas.

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And yet another nice little note (I just love publishing these little gems about our great town):

“I spent some time in Parkes last week and drove around some of the areas where mum took us when we were growing up.

“I have an aunty buried at Parkes.

 The sense of community and the great friendly customer service in all facets of the town’s business is outstanding. What a community !!”

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The Champion Post office will be closed all next week.

We’re taking a well earned few days off (or some are anyway).

There are still things happening in the community over this time, so I would like to ask a favour of locals.

If there is an event, drawing of a hamper, anniversaries, special occasions, please grab a photo and some details and send them into us so we can publish them at a later date.

We publish as normal on Monday, miss the Christmas Day publication, and will be back next Friday.

My pressie to you....a reprieve of From My Desk next Friday (27th) but I’ll  be back all chirpy and smiling in time for the Elvis Festival.   Cheers.

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THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

“Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.”