So much for ‘White Christmas’..sleigh bells…and Santa driving his toy-laden sled. Which reminds ‘Round Town’ of Mike Peter’s cartoon of two seasons ago depicting a disheveled Santa and his team of reindeer wearing band aids and bandages. The cutline: “Well, it’s the last time we’ll make deliveries over Oakwood!”. Course, Mike might not have been inspired by Oakwood’s anti-deer program. Maybe Santa couldn’t drive over Oakwood because of ‘Global Warming’! Readers, please cast your vote. You will not be asked to declare your political preference. Results announced sometime soon. Prize: one week free subscription to the…

All the ‘regular’ Dog Walkers and Joggers along Houk Stream enjoyed the ‘unusually temperate temperatures’. Oh, and also the ‘group’ of teen-age lads who’ve set-up a base camp on the old tennis courts of the Gagel - van der Hoeven - Zorniger estate – made accessible thanx to the road cut in from Runnymede.

On any given day Terry Holton, Joan Franks, Carol Pohl, Lisa Reeder, Eddy Kuntz, Lisa Folkerth or any of her three terrific daughters,… and the accompanying black, yellow, brown Labs, Border Collies, Boxers, and Heinz-es meet up to dog-walk-and-chat. And the ‘Dogg-ers’ have gotten downright considerate of the ‘Jogg-ers’. “Here comes that Jogger (large, handsome, Male) who hates dogs…snap on your leash ..grab your dog!” And, the other morning the Large Male Jogger actually lifted one side of his large head-set-Blue-Tooth and said ….”Thank you!” Ah, ‘tis the Christmas season!

The ‘usual suspects’ will be gathering for their ‘usual’ New Years celebration. It’s the ‘usual’ three site movable feast. The first Act is played at 333 Oakwood Avenue in Bud & Aileen Welch’s condo. That’s handy for Jane Heywood, Jim & Midge Harlan, Dotty Bachus, and George Maly who’re also residents of ‘333’. Jack & Audrey Margolis, Bob Margolis & Weezie McGinnis will be there. Wise Glossinger doesn’t have far to come from Schenck Ave. Tom Gillaugh and fiancée Nancy Hardy, Joe Aceto, and Don & Correne Moran are part of the ‘suspects’.

Marty & Bob Wind, Connie Breen, Marti & Fred Ohmer are all on the ‘we’ll be there’ list. Several had an ‘excuse’! Like Dr. Bill Cassel will be in Connecticut with daughter Kathy Jo & Curt Kelly will be “…otherwise engaged’. And Ginny Hess will be in California with a daughter.

Stage two will be held at Dayton Country Club where dinner will be served. Poor Aileen has labored long and hard to sort-out twenty four people at three tables of eight…fortunately everyone involved does speak to one and other…

Then Act Three takes place on Oakwood Avenue. It must be admitted that there has been times when several of the guests do cash-in their chips following dinner – and by-pass the welcoming of the New Year – for being in bed before midnight! What they miss is a rollicking, lively, wide-awake bunch who sometimes need pinching when the funny hats, noise-makers, and champagne are passed.

There will be a deportment report, including names, next week.

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