Okay bring it on! December is here and so is the rushing and running, usually late. This month packs a big wallop of stress to lives already filled with circled calendar dates for business and social events. We care for family members, whether children or parents (or grandparents). Day in and day out stress.

So when we throw in the shopping madness, the social gatherings and the holiday travel, we may need to take a step back and decide our priorities.

Personally I find the Internet helps a lot. I shop 90 per cent on line. No circling to find a parking slot, no hunting endlessly for a size that stores must have forgotten to stock and no eager talking, but tired looking clerks. Just me and the computer.

I also decorate less and do only the things I feel really inspired to create. I love outdoor lighting and we wiped that effort out Thanksgiving afternoon when it was warm and we didn’t fight cold winds and spitting snow.

The menus for Christmas brunch and for our extended family visits are mirrors of past years and what they ate. That makes it easy to shop and I do two crock pots.

Those things help a great deal and leaves me time for the spirit of the season, and fellowship of good friends.

But most important it gives me time to keep centered on remembering the reason we celebrate in the Christian world. It is easy to be overwhelmed by activity that we create but I try not to stray from the true gift and the true blessing.

Last week I gave a wrong date. The caroling at the United Methodist Church is set for Dec. 8.

Don’t pass up the open house at the New Madison Public Library on Dec. 4. It is a kick off to the season. The cookies are always delicious and I am sure the calories won’t count that day. It starts at 9:30 a.m. and the smiles and sweet treats will be there until 7:30 p.m.

Then Santa comes at 6 p.m. and all of the children can enjoy this fun time. Mrs. Claus will be reading while Santa is keeping his list of wishes. Photo time is planned and children can have a picture for just $1 thanks to the Tri-Village Key Club. All of these funds go to help a family enjoy the holidays. So everyone benefits from this evening of good cheer. And for the children, the Kiwanis has provided money for a book and treats.

Also, Ann Riegle, director, has announced a new club at the library. It is a Lego Club and open to children from ages 5 to 13. This group will gather on the 4th from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

The annual Sugar Plum Market is planned for Dec. 14 and 15. This is a project of the Unit #245 American Legion Auxiliary members. The “market” starts and 9 a.m. with a bounty of good food including homemade candy, cookies, noodles and baked goods. This is a good time to remember a friend with a gift from the market and also a time to pick up items for your own holiday celebration .

Congratulations to the newest members of the Tri-Village Athletic Hall of Fame. Kara Schlecty Graham was active in sports every season of the school year and she set many school records.

Kara was honored many times, highlighted with First Team, All State, because of her all around skills on the basketball court.

Kent Hofacker was a 1973 graduate, the year of consolidation. He also was busy every season of the school year. He ended his career with a place on the First Team, Southwest District, and honorable mention, All Ohio Team.

Mike Stump also showed the ability to participate in sports during the fall, winter and spring seasons. The l987 graduate was a member of the CCC championship team in cross country and that team went forward to be district and regional champs, as well as a state qualifier. In basketball he was First Team, Southwest District and he was a district 9 all star.

These Patriots of the past set high examples for Patriots of the present.

Shirley Dubbs is a volunteer citizen columnist, who serves Daily Advocate readers weekly with her New Madison column. She can be reached at psdubbs@embarqmail.com. Viewpoints expressed in these opinion pieces are the work of the author. The Daily Advocate does not endorse these viewpoints or the independent activities of the author.