Date: Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:06:08 -0500
From: Kathy Zinn
Subject: a very different take on Wal Mart

On December 23rd, three years ago, we buried our 35 year old son, Jesse, a resident of Silk Hope,  at the little community cemetery on 64, just outside of Siler City. 

At the time, we were visitors from Virginia, grief-stricken, but still needing some Christmas presents for his children and our other grandchildren in Durham.  The Wal Mart is nearby.  I have never been a Wal Mart fan, and the last place I ever thought I’d be two days before Christmas, much less after burying my beloved son, was in such a place.  Our hearts heavy,  but  determined to make a few purchases and get out of there ASAP, my husband and I proceeded in.

We found what we needed, but even more, we found a place filled with happy people of many different origins, individuals and families, everyone being kind, caring and thoughtful – including the clerks.  I felt as if I were in a cross-section of the best of humanity.  My son loved people in general, and also learning about other cultures.  Despite our loss, somehow we found the  spirit of Jesse there, and the Spirit of love still alive.  Most  people were there because it was  nearby,   inexpensive,  and held a great variety of merchandise.   We took away, not only our packages, but a little bit of hope that our grief was not the only thing left to us.  We now live in Chatham County, and know why Jesse loved it so much. 

Blessings to all people,  in the memory of my son, Jesse David Zinn

Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:30:44 -0500
From: Kathy Zinn
Subject: REcycling Christmas stuff

It is great to know we can recycle – for free, i.e. without buying the county sticker, all our discarded Christmas papers, lights, trees, etc.

However, this notice comes a little late for most of us.  Altho the tree is still in our yard (it took long enough to get it out of the house!)  we discarded non-working lights before they went on the tree, and threw the paper out after gifts were opened.  We would have gladly saved all this stuff to recycle, had we known ahead of time.

I respectly ask that whoever is in charge of this project notify citizens via  both the newspaper and Chatlist in early December, so we can truly make use of the service this year.  thanks!

Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:36:41 -0500 (EST)
From: Tbredlady
Subject: THANK YOU

To whomever dumped and spread the load of crush and run on my  driveway apron I want to say….THANK YOU, thank you and thank you.  What a  wonderful Christmas/New Year’s surprise this was. You made my day.   What a wonderful place to live.  I will continue to pay this forward.  

Thank you again!!!  Happy New Year!!   Melisa

Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:04:51 -0500
From: nabooko
Subject: What’s it all about? Alfe? Anyone?

The countdown for the Christmas holiday was on – I had won a door prize at St. Bart’s weekly  Thursday free lunch. Friday a cousin and I drove from Pittsboro over to Biscoe to place a wreath on her son’s grave. We stopped by a little produce stand in Biscoe and bumped into old friends and a distant cousin.  My guest stayed over-night with me and left the early the next day. 

Sat, Christmas eve was pleasant and sunny- Lots of carols and Christmas music on the radio- TV had a blast of Christmas shows- all going to plan- Some TV weather-men even showed Santa’s progress across the globe. I cooked myself a wonderful supper, had a glass of wine and visions of Christmas danced in my head.

Early Christmas morning, I awoke with a jolt. Was it really Christmas-? Couldn’t be!  I hadn’t received one invitation or no one had planned to drop by.  About ten o’clock I drove into town and did my work-out bit at the gym. Drove around town and not a soul in sight. Came back home and then the mood began to change. Seemingly, it was just another day. Nothing was happening. No company and no prospects of visiting anyone that was having a good time.

My thought wandered back to the first Christmas I could remember.- I was eight years old.  I remembered kissing my Mother goodnight- the next thing I knew, I saw her stretched out on the living room couch- cold, white- motionless. Both my father and I were beside the couch begging her to wake up- I pleaded with my father- “tell her you won’t get drunk anymore!”-  “Son,” he replied “It won’t do any good- she’s already dead.”

Of course they are just memories- and should have been erased or forgotten decades ago- But the mind has strange powers- it can protect you or it can sober you up.

About three o’clock this Christmas day- I sank into deep- deep depression- I made some very cold and clinical appraisals of my life.  I was alone this Christmas day because I let myself be alone.  I am wondering, even though I was alone- how many others were in the same boat?

N.A. Booko

Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:18:56 +0000 (GMT)
From: Brenda
Subject: Thank you to the star people on Pittsboro-Goldston Road!

Just a note to say “thanks!” to the folks on Pittsboro-Goldston Road (1776) who have the big lighted star on their barn and let it shine every evening when I’m driving home from work, I look for the star, and it always makes me smile when I see it.

Funny how such a small thing can be so nice. Sometimes it’s a comforting sign of peace after what was a really ragged day.

Brenda

(By the way…I noticed your new entryway to the barn area and the small metal star there. Very cool!)

Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:03:13 -0500
From: Mary Millard
Subject: St Bartholomews Church Services

St. Barts invites all to our Christmas Services.

**Saturday December 24th ( Christmas Eve)*:

 4:30 pm Family Service with a Christmas Pageant
10:30 pm Christmas Carol sing along with an 11:00pm Mass start time

**Sunday December 25th ( Christmas Day)*

10:30 am regular Mass
followed by coffee and refreshments

Please join us in celebrating our Advent season!
Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year to all!

Any questions about times or service please call our Church office at  542-5679

St Bartholomews Episcopal Church
204 West Salisbury Street
Pittsboro  27312

Date: Mon, 5 Dec 2011 11:19:02 -0500
From: Pat Richardson
Subject: Galloway Ridge’s Santa’s Workshop: Holiday Show

Galloway Ridge’s Santa’s Workshop: Holiday Show
Friday, December 9, 2011
11:00am-2:00pm
Location: Great Hall

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is fast approaching. Soon we will be decorating our homes, humming seasonal music and baking holiday favorites. Many of us will be thinking about our families and friends during this time. Instead of dealing with traffic and the crowds at the mall, come over to Galloway Ridge’s Great Hall and enjoy one-stop shopping. Around sixteen local wholesale vendors will be offering a variety of different items for purchase. For more information please call Brandi at 545-2679.

Hope to see you there!

Pat Richardson
Director of Community Relations
“Distinctive Retirement Living”

Galloway Ridge, Inc.
3000 Galloway Ridge Road
Pittsboro, NC  27312
Direct Dial: (919) 642-6893
Email: prichardson@gallowayridge.com
Fax: (919) 545-2220
Toll-Free: (888) 763-9600
www.gallowayridge.com

Date: Tue, 6 Dec 2011 10:14:08 -0500 (EST)
From: Marilyn
Subject: Northwood Holiday Concert

The Northwood “Voices” Chorus, Jazz and Symphonic Bands will hold their annual Holiday concert in the Benjamin J. Lee Auditorium at Northwood High School at 7 p.m. this Thursday, December 8, 2011. Admission is cans or boxes of food which will benefit the CORA Food Pantry.  Last year, the NHS Bandand Chorus was able to donate over 1,000 pounds of food to CORA after thisconcert.  We look forward to seeing you there to celebrate the season with our students.

Marilyn Shugart, Choral Director
Eugene Cottrell, Band Director

Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:01:03 -0500
From: Paperbacksplus
Subject: Santa Visit To Paperbacks Plus!

Sunday, December 4th, from 1:00 to 4:00 Santa Claus will be stopping by Paperbacks Plus! for his annual visit.  Santa will be there to hear your Christmas wish list and have his picture taken with you. 

Walgreens will once again be providing the photographer elves for this event.  Since this will be right after church on Sunday and everyone will be dressed up SO nice (you do dress nice for church don’t you?) we will also be taking family photos with or without Santa.  Everyone will receive a free 4 x 6 photo or greeting card.  Walgreens will be offering their photo packages at a discounted price of 7.99.  This will include (3) 8 x 10, (3) 5 x 7, (20) 4 x 6 and (20) wallet size.  Talk about wrapping up lots of Christmas presents with this….

So come see Santa and make sure to remember your wish list.

While there, don’t forget to register for the drawing for a Paperbacks Plus! gift certificate.

Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:03:12 -0500
From: Shannon Wall
Subject: My weekend experience at Lowes

I stopped by Lowes today—-haven’t shopped there since they declared my dogs unwelcome, but needed a tiny what-not for my pig’s house.  Flower bulbs were priced at 75% off (and everybody knows one can never have too many flowers), so I loaded up my cart with bulbs and proceeded inside through the garden center doors. 

Nicky-nac Christmas smacked me in the face right away—-I rapidly wheeled my cart past the inflated Holiday Snoopy thing, up the dog products aisle (ironic), but had to pause at the end of the aisle to retrieve items that had fallen off my cart.  As I stood up and turned to proceed forward, I was accosted by a life-size Santa—his arms move up and down, and are just the right height to grope the chests of unsuspecting shoppers.

Question:  Do I call “Corporate” to get dirty Santa banned from the store?

Moral of the story:  There are good and bad experiences with most businesses—-I think banning dogs from the store was a bad one, but I just might buy one of those Santas—after Christmas of course, when he’s 50% off retail.