The Cat Box was empty this week so I really had to scratch for the items in this column. During the holiday season people are so busy getting ready for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year, that they don’t think about calling or writing. Please call or write (or e-mail) and give me items you might have which would be of interest to our readers and which would make this column much more interesting. I depend on readers to tell me interesting things and will use your name or hold your name, but please do let me know what Santa brings, or what special gift you got, or what interesting place you visited during the Christmas holidays.

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A big thank you to all of you for your contributions and help in 2009, and a very Merry Christmas to you all!

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For those of you (and others) who have been saying you don't like to read newspapers online because you like to actually turn the pages, I'm happy to tell you that you now can turn the pages on The News- Reporter online. Go to www.newsreporter. com, click on Print Edition, then go to the top right corner and turn the page. It’s fun! (I would still rather see black ink on newsprint, but the internet IS quick and easy and interesting.)

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If you haven't been to The Square to see it snowing on Friday and Saturday nights, you have a few more chances. It snows between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. and you will probably like it. . . . If you can ride (or walk) around The Square just before full daylight and before all the cars are parked there, you can have a real treat. The stores are all decorated in their finest Christmas outfits and it's easier to get the full effect of the scene, especially if you're looking South. Don't forget to look up high on the west and south sides.

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Most of us are familiar with the prophecy concerning the birth of Jesus and of the many names that he is to be called – “Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. . . .” The following article tells of other names and is especially significant at this Christmas season.

To the artist He is the One Altogether Lovely.

To the architect He is the Chief Cornerstone.

To the baker He is the Living Bread.

To the banker He is the Hidden Treasure.

To the builder He is the Sure Foundation.

To the doctor He is the Great Physician.

To the educator He is the Great Teacher.

To the farmer He is the Sower and the Lord of Harvest.

To the florist He is the Lily of the Valley and the Rose of Sharon.

To the geologist He is the Rock of Ages.

To the judge He is the Righteous Judge.

To the lawyer He is the Counselor, the Lawgiver, the Advocate.

To the editor and publisher, He is the Good Tidings of Great Joy.

To the philanthropist He is the Unspeakable Gift.

To the preacher He is the Word of God.

To the philosopher He is the Wisdom of God.

To the lonely He is the Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

To the servant He is the Good Master.

To the toiler He is the Giver of Rest.

To the sorrowing He is the Comforter.

To the bereaved He is the Resurrection and the Life.

To the sinner He is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.

To the Christian He is the Son of the Living God, Savior, Redeemer, and Lord.

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Robin Booker, Washington- Wilkes teacher, and her Wilcox County High School Class of 1974 Patriots, joined together to support her high school at The Dome in Atlanta December 12. The Patriots beat Savannah Day by a score of 30-21. This is the first state championship for the Patriots. Robin even got a chance to be on television as the camera zoomed in on her “Class of 1974” sign.

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Members of the Washington Presbyterian Church had an unusual ornament exchange in conjunction with their monthly family lunch Sunday. The gifts were distributed “Yankee Swap” style where everyone in turn either picked a wrapped ornament from the tree or “stole” one that someone else already had. The ornaments ranged from one that looked like a light bulb to the most popular which were woven paper pine cones of various colors. In Yankee Swap, whoever was the first to pick a gift gets to choose any ornament at the end as they normally end up with the worst ornament. Glen Kohlhagen, pastor, had the privilege of being the first to pick and took home a ceramic depiction of the church. Dave Olmstead was holder of the light bulb.

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The Christmas Tree of Love sponsored by the Wills Memorial Hospital Auxiliary to benefit the hospital is having its fund-raising program. Donations in memory or in honor of loved ones and friends to light the tree are $5.00 each. Donations may be mailed to 120 Gordon Street, Washington 30673.

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The Marching Tiger Band Boosters are selling Tiger Paw charms as a fundraiser. The charm fits necklaces and bracelets. The charms are available at Scarborough’s on The Square.