Before I launch the official 2024 Scottdale Alive Christmas card, I want to provide a little background for anyone that may have missed last year’s greeting. You see, this ‘Christmas Greeting’ was originated by a man named Jim Kriek. Years ago, the Daily Courier was the main source of news in the Fay-West area. Mr. Kriek was a sportswriter for the paper, and to say that he was prolific in doing his job would be an understatement. If there was a Pirates game, a high school match-up, or even a summer basketball league, he covered them all. He was also the ‘go to’ speaker at various banquets and ceremonies. He was the biggest cheerleader for local sports you could ever find.

Once a year, Jim would pen a Christmas ‘card’ in the pages of the Courier. While his poems were a little fractured, the sentiment behind them was unmistakable. He would mention every person he met during the year. (Jim used to carry a little dog-eared pad and he would write down the names of all the folks he encountered during the year). People in the area would wait for the paper to see if they made the ‘card’. It was one of the best parts of the holiday for me.

Jim passed away in 2006 and as close as I can figure, his last Christmas greeting was in 1975. Jim always said, “I don’t want to be remembered as a guy who ‘gave good writeups,’ rather I want to be remembered as a fair and unbiased sportswriter who gave both sides of a story. I have always felt that if for one day I wrote one word that made one person feel important, then I had done my job.”

Every Christmas, I always remember his poems. So, with all that in mind, this is my second attempt at my own little ‘greeting’. Though it can never match the original, I think everyone will get the idea. For you older folks, I hope this gives you a moment to reminisce about times gone by, and to the youngsters, to remember that Christmas is a time reflect on all the things you have been given.

Here we go……

Each year a note goes ‘round the town,
With greetings warm and words passed down.
A yearly gift, a simple line,
To mark the joy of Christmastime.

Through winter’s chill and snow’s embrace,
It finds each door, each friendly face,
To all our friends, both near and far,
We start our humble Christmas card.

A festive wreath hung on the door,
for Mary Robson, Andy Pinskey, and also Chuck Moore.
A little light snow, to make Christmas bright,
to Denise Hixson, Bubba Baker, and David White.

A yuletide celebration where families gather,
for Pat Hill, Sue Malik, and Tracy Prather.
The air ringing out, with holiday songs,
to Ginny Black, Dave Smouse, and Deborah Armstrong.

The popcorn and twinkle lights we happily string,
for Stacey Coffman, Amy Baker and Mayor Chuck King.
Here’s wishing for times of holiday peace,
for Bill Plumber, Heather Wishart, and Taylor McNeice.

Santa is coming so the halls we will deck,
for Rosanne Sanders, her husband Bobb, and Alyson Zombek.
to all of your homes, the carolers flock,
a wish for Gracie Pomeranian, Carol Sanders, and Rhonda Hamrock.

How about a happy and bright holiday season,
for Ruthie Deluca, Karen Kiefer, and Kay & Tom Seaman.
Some lights and some garland, draped on their house,
for Jan Kiefer, Chandler Matthews, and David Smouse.

A mountain of gifts stacked under the tree,
for Jan Fuller, Dan Crayton, and Stephanie Laree.
We wish for a dusting of Yuletide snow,
for Pami Jo Anderson, Janey Shedlock, and J Henry McIndoe.

A holiday bash, a big Christmas party,
for Becky Blahovec, Jim Clarkson, and our liberal friend Marty.
A great joyous cheer as the reindeer take flight,
to Nicole Seese, Steve Matsey, and Jay McKnight.

May the silver bells have a magic ring,
for Bill Falla, ‘Murph’ Johnson, and Amy King.
We hope the season is a time of peace,
For all our firemen and borough police.

A gathering of friends for a holiday chat,
at the Gingerbread House of Lindy and Matt.
A heartfelt “Merry Christmas”….our holiday credo,
to Kathy & Greg Butler, and Lew Ingelido.

Shiny bright ornaments and snow that is flyin’,
for Jaydene Nelson, Jimbo Zaffina, and Jason Ryan.
Candles and garland and festive décor,
for Bill Plumber, Jay Copenhaver, and Denise Palmer Ohr.

A table of treats of all sorts and variety,
to Doug Wigginton, Rob Smith, and the Scottdale Historical Society.
Out on the lawn, several cheerful snowmen,
For Kim Johnson Sowinski, Kristin Holland, and Judy Toman.

A spot under the mistletoe, somebody will meet ‘ya,
for Ruthie DeLuca, Don Snyder, and Bree Alisa.
Red & white poinsettias, our Christmastime flower,
to Sue Burkus, Jim Bridger, and Lori Killinger-Bauer.

Stories and songs in a holiday show,
for Linda Schroyer, Kristin Morvosh, and even Gammi Mo.
Gifts left behind, what a Christmas delight,
for Pami-Jo Anderson, Laura Bibel, and William S White.

Let’s raise up our voices, in holiday song,
to Krys Ritenour, Roz & John Schmidt, and Orie John Long.
A visit from Santa, a jolly old fella,
for Kathy Lighthall, Shelley Hoyle, and Dana Fisella.

It’s time again to close this poem,
With love and warmth from hearts and home.
May laughter linger and joy abide,
And peace be near, your constant guide.

So as the season wraps us in cheer,
May love and happiness fill your new year.
With hearts aglow and spirits bright,
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Merry Christmas!