Ah, yes, ‘tis the season of peace, good will and merriment. Except of course for those who wish to usurp the season for a holiday that you or I or someone doesn’t celebrate. Then we must jealously guard our symbols and holiday time against those who wish to steal them. We must say Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah or whatever, defiantly, to let others know that our holiday is best. Those who are timid will meekly say happy holidays, or seasons greetings for fear of offending.

Why can’t we go back to a time when we wished everyone the joy and happiness of our special holiday and gladly received their felicitations for their holiday. You don’t need to defend your holiday. You need to celebrate it for its real meaning. Wish everyone a loud and joyous Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Wondrous Solstice or Happy Flying Spaghetti Monster Day. Do it in all sincerity and almost everyone will accept it in the spirit intended.

Those very few who choose to take offense would find something else to be offended about so don’t worry about them. They want to be offended.

As far as the atheist sentiments expressed down in Olympia – ignore them, they have no power over your beliefs unless you grant them that power.

As for me, I wish you joy, love, peace and prosperity now and forever.

Alexes Shuman

Enumclaw

Saying goodbye to Buckley is never easy

Saying goodbye is never easy.

This letter is not just to the editor, it is to all of Buckley city staff and residents.

I know you have all heard the rumors and I have to say this one is true. My final day at City Hall will be Dec. 31, 2008. This chapter in my life has come to an end. I am very excited about the things to come and having time to spend with my daughter at school and take time walking my dogs on the lovely Foothills Trail. So although I won’t be at the counter to take your payments I will see everyone while I am out and about. I cannot say thank you enough for all the friendships I have made.

Four years ago I walked into City Hall for the first time as an official city employee. I was very nervous and felt very out of my comfort zone. Big City Girl comes to the country. I knew that this was going to be interesting. Not only had I grown up in a big city but I hadn’t worked in an office for awhile. Back home I was surrounded by family and friends but here I was a stranger. Everyone in Buckley seemed to know each other or be related. I wasn’t sure I was going to fit in. This was going to be a scary endeavor. Not only did I have to learn a new job but I had to work with new people and meet this town that I knew nothing about.

City staff was the first to jump to my rescue and make me feel at home. John Blanusa was an instant friend to me and I always look forward to hearing him tell me about World War II. The men down at the shop are all so funny and make me laugh even when I don’t want to. What can you say about your co-workers? You spend eight to nine hours a day together and good or bad you are who you are and I think I have rubbed off on them a little bit. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day you walk into City Hall and see one of them with tattoos or if they had dyed their hair crazy colors. I kid!

Although, at times I felt very strange in this place I came to find out that there are wonderful people all over this world. Big city or small town good people come in all forms. I have enjoyed getting to know the residents of Buckley and serving them to the best of my ability. I hope they feel the same way about meeting me. I wasn’t sure I made a first good impression on this small town and at times I was scared. But I always stay true to myself. Before I close I just want to give a big thanks to Bob Olson and Missy, all the businesses up and down Main Street that wave to me every day as I make my way to and from the post office, and all of those happy faces I have seen every month while paying their BIG utility bills. You have all shared your stories, your children, and even your canine pals (Missy, George, Shadow, etc.). So with that I say thank you city of Buckley, you are all wonderful. I will miss you all.

Peace and Love,

Stephany Hale

Buckley

Shop for live entertainment locally, too

Shop locally!, the signs cry out from the store windows. Shop locally!, the newspaper ad screams. Shop locally!, the handout I get when I do shop here (odd). Yes, it does matter where you shop and you should shop here and promote the local businesses.

But when it comes to live entertainment options, why do we always look to Seattle? There are many, varied sources of entertainment right here, locally, that we can attend. Does anybody know about them? By the time this is published, most will be over and here is what you missed. Stage Door Productions put on a Christmas play, Cascade Foothills Chorale had their winter concert, Gateway Concert Band had theirs. The Plateau Community Orchestra performed. The Enumclaw H.S. band and choirs all had their Christmas spectaculars as well.

Did you go? To all, any? It could have been a fun Christmas season filled with memories.

There is one more event left. The Plateau Ballet Repertory Theatre performs “The Nutcracker” Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the EHS auditorium. For 13 years this has been the show to see, yet we look to Seattle. This ballet is open to anyone to participate or attend. You and your children might actually see someone you know onstage. These are local people performing: your neighbors, friends and schoolmates.

Now is the time to shop for live entertainment locally. I’ll see you there. As the signs say, it matters!

Frank Thompson

Enumclaw