I checked in virtually.

Here it is just after midnight, April 27, and the logo is gone. They are fastidious about dates, too.

For the past 2 years our Gold Wing chapter has given me 2 or 3 hundred dollars to use for the Salvation Army Elder Tree. I don't pull names I contact the lady in charge of it instead. She calls me after everyone has turned in their gifts for the folks that they picked. Then we go out and get things that weren't included and also fillers for all the people. My girlfriend and I can really shop. We end up filling the trunk of my Lincoln to the brim. If we run short of funds from our GW chapter we put in from our own pockets to get other things that we know they would like. Most of the people on the Elder Tree are from the nursing homes and low income apartments. My friend works for the county going into peoples homes to give baths, cook meals, shop for their groceries and other things that they need. She always gets so tickled when they excitedly show her what Santa brought. We are pleased that they are happy with what we have shopped for. It is sad when we read what these people put on their wish lists...stamps, stationery, paper towels, toilet paper, snacks. Sometimes they ask for pj's, slippers or sweaters. I called Carolyn the other day and am just waiting for the call to shop. It sure does put you in the spirit of Christmas.

This was an episode of Amazing Stories, a TV show from Steven Spielberg that lasted about 2 years. I've been looking for it but haven't seen it this year. It is my hands-down favorite Christmas - themed broadcast. It stars Douglas Seale as Santa, Pat Hingle as Sheriff Horace Smyvie & Gabriel Damon as Bobby. Wiuthout going into too much detail, Santa trips a burglar alarm while delivering gifts in a small town and is locked up in jail with three drunken department store type 'Santa's. Christmas would be doomed without young Bobby's efforts in getting Santa out. The mean sheriff also has a change of heart at the end. Does this sound famailar? Have you seen it? If not, be on the lookout fot it; you won't be dissapointed. Here is a link that might be useful: Santa '85