Opinion

Christmas Letter: A Year of Change

Christmas Letter: A Year of Change

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Christmas Letter: A Year of Change

Beth’s Bits
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Every year I write a Christmas letter. This is probably not a surprise to many of you since you already know I write. I have written the Christmas letter since I was a teenager or a pre-teen. My mom taught school, and sometimes didn’t get around to it.
Rick Holtz is a reporter for the Polk County News. Find his column, Reporter’s Notebook, from time to time in the newspaper and online at www.polkcountynews.net.

Rick Holtz is a reporter for the Polk County News. Find his column, Reporter’s Notebook, from time to time in the newspaper and online at www.polkcountynews.net.

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What to do with the Baby?

Reporter’s Notebook
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
My family is not perfect. Far from it. If you were walking near our apartment you may hear a little girl screaming because she was told to go clean her room. You may hear a little boy whine because he was told it was bedtime. You would think they were being taken out to the city gates and stoned.
Beth Sparrow is co-owner of the Polk County News.

Beth Sparrow is co-owner of the Polk County News.

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Random Christmas Thoughts

Beth’s Bits
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Rick jokes that six people read our columns, but more people keep telling me they read our columns. So I think we’re up to a dozen or so. Thank you for supporting our columns. Sometimes mine is informative, and sometimes funny.
Alan Sparrow is co-owner of the Polk County News. Find his column, Alan’s Anecdotes, each week in the newspaper and online at www.polkcountynews.net.

Alan Sparrow is co-owner of the Polk County News. Find his column, Alan’s Anecdotes, each week in the newspaper and online at www.polkcountynews.net.

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Searching For Christmas

Alan’s Anecdotes
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
I decided to write about Christmas every week of December this year. That helps me take a break from politics after the election and helps me get ready for the holiday. I picked out a topic to write about, but decided it was a better fit for Christmas week.

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Community Connection

News Staff
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Call Annie Jeffrey Health Center at (402) 747-2031 for more information A child’s physical and mental health are both important. It is easy for parents to identify their child’s physical needs such as nutritious food, warm clothes, and bedtime at a reasonable hour.

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Grace Notes

News Staff
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Several years ago, I received a plaque on which was written the phrase “All hearts go home for Christmas.” I must confess that the message didn’t really resonate with me then.
Beth Sparrow is co-owner of the Polk County News.

Beth Sparrow is co-owner of the Polk County News.

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It Wasn’t His Child

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Our sermon on Sunday was on Joseph and his significance to the Christmas story. You can see the service on YouTube if you like. This reminded me of the song “It Wasn’t His Child” and my thoughts and feelings when I first heard this song.
Alan Sparrow is co-owner of the Polk County News. Find his column, Alan’s Anecdotes, each week in the newspaper and online at www.polkcountynews.net.

Alan Sparrow is co-owner of the Polk County News. Find his column, Alan’s Anecdotes, each week in the newspaper and online at www.polkcountynews.net.

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Christmas Reflections

Alan Sparrow
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
I told my family that I was going write about my favorite Christmas movie this week. They started guessing a lot of great movie choices. They guessed classics like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Elf,” and “Home Alone.” My son jokingly guessed “Die Hard.” All are great movies.
Rick Holtz is a reporter for the Polk County News. Find his column, Reporter’s Notebook, from time to time in the newspaper and online at www.polkcountynews. net.

Rick Holtz is a reporter for the Polk County News. Find his column, Reporter’s Notebook, from time to time in the newspaper and online at www.polkcountynews. net.

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Music Paints a Picture

Rick Holtz
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
I love listening to music in the car while I drive. It amazes me how much music can paint a picture or change a mood. You may not have even noticed it. Think back to your favorite movie. Think of climatic scene. Was it the words that made you feel the way it did, or was it the music?

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Grace Notes

News Staff
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Devotional Reflections by Caroline Russell As a child, I spent hours each December poring over the pages of the Montgomery Ward Christmas catalog. My imagination ran wild as I read the descriptions and studied the pictures.