As we come to the end of 2008, concluding our 55th year in the industry, many of the readers of this newsletter will remember when Christmas was not just a search for the newest “'iPod’s, digital cameras, cell phones, or this year’s BlackBerry Storm…even as they nervously look over their shoulders at rising unemployment and a seriousdowntown in the economy. It wasn’t always like this.

     For example, when we first sent the Christmas message that follows to our friends and customers over a half century ago, it wasn’t even by email. One thing that hasn’t changed however and that is that we didn’t know the author of it then and even though we have used it so many times in the past 55 years, we still do not know whom to assign the credit. We do know however, that one of the many things that make Christmas so great is its timelessness.

     Even though times and circumstances change, some things remain constant. I.e, those serving our country today in the military, whether it is  in far off places like Iraq and Afghanistan or those here at home anxiously worried about unemployment, foreclosures, rising health costs, are not basically different from those who served in other conflicts at other times or suffered through other national disasters when it comes to their memories of home and Christmas. In that context, it seems to us as appropriate today as it did when we first sent it, so many years ago. We hope you enjoy it and that you will be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the newsletter to see our new Christmas card:

     CHRISTMAS is...the writer's cramp you get from addressing Christmas cards...the miles and miles of gift ribbon that is never enough... the phony heartiness of department store Santa Clauses...aching feet and pushing crowds.

     CHRISTMAS is…the gift you buy because you should...the way money vanishes...the sleep of the exhausted on Christmas night...and the hopeless chaos of a house the morning after.

     CHRISTMAS is also...a father on a wobbly ladder putting a battered angel on the tree-top...Bing Crosby singing Adeste Fideles...the delicious freedom of choice that confronts a small shopper in the dollar stores...the lovely combination of smells: bread in the oven and pine cones on the hearth.

     CHRISTMAS is also...a Mother and a Father sitting through a school play and seeing only one fat angel...your whole, maddening, wonderful family, seen in a flash of brilliance, as the people you love to the hurting point...the sound of church bells splintering the frosty midnight with tidings of great joy.

     FOR CHRISTMAS…is the Birthday of the Child whose coming is the reason why children can laugh and men can dream.

     It doesn't have to be Christmas for us to remember our many good friends and customers who have made any success we have achieve possible...but the season does give us an opportunity to pause and express our appreciation for their friendship and goodwill. It's folks like you that makes our business possible...and it is our sincere pleasure to pause and say "Thank You" and extend our warmest good wishes for you and yours this holiday season.

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