The Daily Dispatch - Thursday, December 24, 2009 by The Daily Dispatch

CMYK

Granville Habitat gets new location

Rockets top Raiders Duals

Letters to Santa Claus

Local News, Page 4A

Sports, Page 1B

Inside today THURSDAY, December 24, 2009

Volume XCV, No. 301

(252) 436-2700

www.hendersondispatch.com

By DAILY DISPATCH

Send comments to news@ hendersondispatch.com.

Index Our Hometown . . . . . 2A Business & Farm. . . . 5A Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . 8A Light Side . . . . . . . . . 9A Sports. . . . . . . . . . 1-4B Comics . . . . . . . . . . . 5B Classifieds. . . . . . . 5-7B

Weather Today Mostly sunny

High: 47 Low: 31

Friday Rain likely

High: 50 Low: 42

Details, 3A

Deaths Creedmoor Chester E. Cone, 75 Henderson Charlie B. Baskett, 79

Obituaries, 4A

No paper Dec. 25 In observance of the Christmas holiday, The Daily Dispatch will not be published on Friday, Dec. 25. Our offices will also be closed that day.

50 cents

Students getting laptops

Handgun fires after two fight A struggle for a handgun left one man wounded Tuesday following a fight near a convenience store. Vance County Sheriff Peter White said Wednesday that deputies found Robert West Jr., 35, of 718 Harriett St. wounded by a shot in his left thigh from a small caliber handgun. White said the incident occurred after a brief argument between West and Jamie Alcantar Camargo, 29, of 2084 Epsom Rocky Ford Road near the N-A Minute at 1727 N.C. 39 South. West and Camargo fought, White said, and were struggling to gain control of the handgun, apparently held by West, when it discharged. West was taken to Maria Parham Medical Center. White said the argument reportedly started after an exchange of words between the two. He said no charges have been filed but will be.

940 computers ordered for two Granville schools By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer

Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE

Brian Daves and Leslie Vaughn interact with the kids in Gloria Rice’s and Loretta Howard’s kindergarten class while reading them “I Spy Christmas” at L.B. Yancey Elementary on Dec. 16. Members of the Northern Vance Key Club were reading to kids as a part of the Book Buddies Program.

Book Buddies Program brings joy of reading to elementary students By TAYLOR NOEL Daily Dispatch Writer

As technology continues to progress, children are increasingly more interested in video games and iPods than books. It is becoming more and more common to hear the phrase, “I hate reading, it isn’t fun!” from both teenagers and young children. Northern Vance High School’s Key Club tuned in to this concern in Vance County and envisioned a project that would try to reinvent the idea of reading to children in

local schools. The program was established The Book Buddies Program to help bring the joy and fun became reality two years ago, and back into reading for children in has now taken on a life of its own. the community. During its first Key Club advisor Susan Westyear, a group of approximately brook originally 30 students spearheaded ‘Kids need role models in their life would leave the project, other than what they see on TV’ school during handing it off fourth period, to Northern Vance senior Rena equipped with books and activiBates at the beginning of the ties, and travel to one of the local 2008-2009 school year. Since that schools. At the school, the “books time, the Book Buddies Program buddies” would pair off into has been student-led and has groups of two and divide up into taken steps to become indepenPlease see BUDDIES, page 3A dent from the Key Club itself.

OXFORD — The Granville County School District placed an order Tuesday for 940 Apple laptop computers, with the cost to be slightly more than $802,000, including for support. The computers will arrive sometime next month, with the goal being to have them at the South Granville Jordan High schools in Creedmoor, School District Associate Superintendent Allan Jordan said. The County Board of Education, which met Monday, gave the go-ahead for the order. “It is a big deal,” Jordan told the newspaper Tuesday. “We are going to change the lives of children.” Jordan, when asked when he wants the laptops rolled out, replied, “I hope by March” and cited the extensive preparation work. Laptops are now in most of the Granville County schools in various forms, “but, this is the first time we’ve done a complete school Please see LAPTOPS, page 4A

Warren EDC sets meeting By DAVID IRVINE Daily Dispatch Writer

WARRENTON – The Board of Directors of the Warren County Economic Development Commission will hold a special meeting at 4 p.m. on Monday. The announced purpose of the meeting is to discuss personnel matters. The meeting will be held in the conference room in the Economic Development Office at 130 North Main Street. Chairman Ernest Fleming III issued the notice of the meeting on Dec. 22 in compliance with North Carolina laws related to the time and place of holding special meetings. The EDC has been without a director since the beginning of the year when John Church left the position to take a similar post in Fuquay-Varina. He had been director for four years. Long-time EDC employee Peggy Richardson has served as interim director since Church left. Contact the writer at dirvine@hendersondispatch.com.

Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE

Final push for donations Ray Champion rings the bell for the Salvation Army as he greets customers entering Walmart Wednesday afternoon. Champion has been ringing the bell for three years. Bell ringers will be manning the red kettles from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today for that last Christmas Eve push for donations.

Our Hometown

The Daily Dispatch

Mark It Down

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Family continues Salvation Army tradition

Saturday Ridgeway Opry House — Performing this week are Julia Morton, Joyce Chisenhall, Matt Nelson, Ronald Puett, Jackie Turner, Donnie Gillam, Evylena Norwood, Freida & Delores, and Betsy & Allen Reid and the Home Folks, with guest band, The Warren County Travelers. Doors open at 6 p.m. Music starts at 7 p.m.

Sunday Blood drive — Marketplace Cinema will sponsor a blood drive from 2:30 to 7 p.m. at the theater on Beckford Drive. Appointments may be made in 15-minute increments. Every donor will receive a free movie pass plus other goodies. To schedule an appointment, call Nancy Jo Smith at (252) 438-3892 or (252) 431-4563 or e-mail her at lighthouse@ vance.net.

Guidelines The “Mark It Down” calendar announces events happening in the community that are sponsored by civic organizations, non-profit groups, government organizations and similar groups. The Daily Dispatch staff asks that items intended for inclusion in the calendar be submitted in writing at least five days in advance of the event. Please include a contact person’s name and phone number in case there are questions. Items for this listing can be e-mailed to communitynews@ hendersondispatch.com. Due to the overwhelming number of churches served by the Dispatch, church events cannot be listed in the “Mark It Down” calendar.

Guidelines for Community News Submissions The Daily Dispatch encourages readers to submit news items and photos for inclusion in the paper. News items may be dropped off at our newspaper offices at 304 S. Chestnut St. in downtown Henderson or mailed to The Daily Dispatch, P.O. Box 908, Henderson, NC, 27536. News items may also be e-mailed to

communitynews@hendersondispatch.com or faxed to (252) 436-0125. Submitted photos are kept for 30 days after appearing in the paper and may be picked up at any time after they appear in the paper. For more information on community news guidelines, contact Linda Gupton, features editor, at 436-2837.

The family of the late Clark Lassiter (above, left) has manned the red Salvation Army kettles at both entrances to the Henderson Walmart on S. Cooper Driver all day on Dec. 9 for the past two years in memory of Lassiter, who died on Dec. 9, 2007. Lassiter rung the bell at kettles for the Salvation Army for 30 years prior to his death. Family members who participated included his wife, Myrtle (pictured with Lassiter); his children, Mike Lassiter and wife, Judy, Sandra Reavis and husband, Chuck, and Donna Denson and husband, Barry; his grandchildren, Dave Saunders and Kelly West; and his great-grandson, Deklan West.

Here comes a new generation of bell ringers Customers at Walgreens received an extra special greeting from Kerr-Vance Academy’s pre-K4 students during lunchtime last week. Led by Beth Hubbard and assistants Rita Teeter and Carol Bullock, the class welcomed the customers to the store with jingling bells and carols including “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.” The class members were there participating as volunteers with the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle program.

Holiday Tips from Granville Safe Kids Keep these child-friendly considerations in mind this holiday season: • Choking hazards: Keep round, hard foods (including candies) and small decorations out of young children’s reach. • Poison hazards: Keep products with alcohol out of children’s reach. Some holiday plants, like

03 State flyer - Page 1 - Composite

holly, mistletoe, amaryllis, Christmas rose, English ivy and poinsettias, can be poisonous. In case of a poisoning, call 1-800-2221222. • If buying a bicycle, skates, or sports equipment, don’t forget the appropriate safety gear (e.g., helmet, knee pads, etc.)!

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Luke Chapter 2: 1: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2: (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3: And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4: And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5: To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6: And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7: And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 11: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12: And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Merry Christmas

C & P Body Shop

3268 Raleigh Road • Henderson 252-492-5345

From Page One

The Daily Dispatch

FIVE-DAY FORECAST FOR HENDERSON TODAY

TONIGHT

FRIDAY

Mostly Sunny

Scat’d Rain

Rain Likely

47º

31º

50º 42º

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

Partly Cloudy

Mostly Sunny

53º 28º

47º 25º

43º 25º

Almanac

Sun and Moon

Temperature

Sunrise today . . . . . .7:22 a.m. Sunset tonight . . . . .5:04 p.m. Moonrise today . . . .11:46 a.m. Moonset today . . . . .Next Day Sunrise tomorrow . .7:23 a.m. Sunset tomorrow . . .5:05 p.m. Moonrise tomorrow 12:12 p.m. Moonset tomorrow .12:49 a.m.

Raleigh -Durham through 6 p.m. yest. High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Normal High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Normal Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Record High . . . . . . . . .76 in 1990 Record Low . . . . . . . . .10 in 1989

Moon Phases

Precipitation Yesterday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.00" Month to date . . . . . . . . . . . .5.11" Normal month to date . . . . .2.18" Year to date . . . . . . . . . . . . .39.45" Normal year to date . . . . . .42.19"

First 12/24

New 1/15

Last 1/7

Full 12/31

Lake Levels Elevation in feet above sea level. Data as of 7 a.m. yesterday. Lake Gaston Kerr

24-Hr. Lake Capacity Yest. Change Jordan 240 218.0 -0.4 Neuse Falls 264 254.8 -0.3

24-Hr. Capacity Yest. Change 203 200.0 -0.1 320 306.1 -0.3

Regional Weather Henderson 47/31

Winston-Salem Durham 48/33 46/31 Asheville 46/34

Rocky Mt. 49/33

Greensboro 47/31 Raleigh 49/33 Charlotte 47/36

Fayetteville 52/36

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Cape Hatteras 50/43

Wilmington 55/48

Regional Cities Today

Today

Fri.

City

Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx City

Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx

Asheville Boone Burlington Chapel Hill Chattanooga Danville Durham Elizabeth City Elizabethton Fayetteville Goldsboro Greensboro Greenville Havelock Hendersonville

46/34 43/29 47/32 48/33 53/43 43/30 48/33 45/37 50/39 52/36 52/35 47/31 50/37 53/46 43/33

47/31 51/42 50/38 50/40 55/49 53/48 46/42 49/40 49/33 40/30 47/32 49/33 50/35 55/48 46/31

ra mc pc pc sh pc pc s sh pc s pc s s ra

45/30 39/31 47/38 51/42 50/31 44/36 51/42 56/47 48/30 58/46 58/47 46/37 59/50 62/50 44/31

ra ra ra ra sh ra ra ra sh ra ra ra sh sh ra

High Point Jacksonville Kinston Lumberton Myrtle Beach Morehead City Nags Head New Bern Raleigh Richmond Roanoke Rapids Rocky Mount Sanford Wilmington Winston-Salem

pc s s pc pc s s s pc s s s pc pc pc

46/37 63/49 61/50 58/47 62/50 64/52 58/51 62/50 53/44 47/40 53/43 56/46 54/43 62/53 44/35

ra sh sh ra ra sh sh sh ra ra ra ra ra ra ra

110s 100s 90s 80s 70s 60s 50s 40s 30s 20s 10s 0s

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all of the classes to read out loud to the students. Each reading would usually be centered around a holiday. On each reading day, the students would dress up in costumes and bring treats for the entire class to enjoy during the reading. The high school students hoped that if the children in the elementary schools saw football players, cheerleaders, and other teens they idolized taking time to read and make it fun, then those children would see that reading actually is cool. “Kids need role models in their life other than what they see on TV every day,” said Aaron Daeke, who has participated in the program as a reader. “Book buddies are there to show kids how good being smart and educated can be.” Using a grant provided by Teens With Power, the book buddies last school year purchased two books for every student at Clark Street Elementary and read to the them in a final Summer Blowout party in costume with snacks galore. “If you could have seen the joy on the faces of each child receiving a book, you would know how powerful this program is,” said Morgan Basket, who is also participating as a reader. “We made reading a new and exciting summer activity for over one

Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE

Katlyn Kimbrell reads a story to kids in Ms. Walton’s and Ms. Henderson’s class while sitting next to the nice and naughty list at L.B. Yancey Elementary Dec. 16. Members of the Northern Vance Key Club were reading to kids as a part of the Book Buddies Program. hundred kids.” The Book Buddies Program has grown to over 40 readers this school year, and they have already visited New Hope Elementary and E.M. Rollins Elementary this fall. On Dec. 16, the group traveled to L.B. Yancey Elementary in Christmas

Negotiators coaxing man to release Va. hostages By MITCH WEISS Associated Press Writer

experience up for all the teens involved. “Book Buddies has been a great experience that really made us feel as if we were making a difference in the lives of our youth and community.” Send comments to news@ hendersondispatch.com.

Wester Insurance Agency 1020 S. Garnett St. • Henderson, NC 27536

1020 S. Garnett St. • Henderson, NC 27536

Skip Satterwhite drink to the front door of the post office. They say Account Executive the suspect requested it. Phone: 252-438-8165 Account Executive Police said in a press re- Fax: 252-438-6640 Phone: 252-438-8165 • Fax: 252-438-6640 lease that the man entered skipsatterwhite@ncol.net Cell: 919-522-3825 pushing a wheelchair but www.westerinsurance.com skipsatterwhite@ncol.net • www.westerinsurance.com the purpose of the chair is not known. 1020 Garnett St. • Henderson, NC 27536 Earlier reports saidS.he ay was in a wheelchair. yd r FOR OUR e Shots were fired earlier, Ev Account Executive but there were no reports of injuries. Relatives say Phone: 252-438-8165 • Fax: 3 252-438-6640 pc the hostages have been Cell: 919-522-3825 able to contact them by skipsatterwhite@ncol.net • www.westerinsurance.com phone. (includes choice of 1 side and DRINK)

Skip Satterwhite

WYTHEVILLE, Va. — Negotiators are trying to coax an armed man into releasing five hostages from a post office in a rural, mountain town in western Virginia. A negotiator has asked SWAT members, police and others surrounding the building Wednesday in Wytheville to be quiet because authorities were talking with the unidentified suspect. State police say an officer delivered food and

Skip Satterwhite

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attire with books featuring the themes of Christmas, Kwanza and Hanukkah. The group of teens involved with the program plans to continue reading throughout the remainder of the school year with more events planned for February through June. Tate Frazier sums the

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ay yd

Today’s National Map

BUDDIES, from page one

er Ev

Weather (Wx): cl/cloudy; pc/partly cloudy; ra/rain; rs/rain & snow; s/sunny; sh/showers; sn/snow; t/thunderstorms; w/windy

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Every Saturday in the Dispatch

Local News

The Daily Dispatch

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Deaths Charlie B. Baskett

Daily Dispatch/WILLIAM F. WEST

The Granville Habitat for Humanity is relocating into the old Cristex building.

Granville Habitat starting new year at new location By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer

OXFORD — The Granville Habitat for Humanity is moving its office and ReStore from 604 W. Industry Drive into the nearby former Cristex building. “What better way to start out the new year by having a new place to work out of,” Granville Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Mark Prokop said in a statement Wednesday. The non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing organization will have 40,000 square feet for the ReStore, which sells quality used and surplus building materials at a fraction of retail prices. And ReStore Admin-

istrator Phil Hanny said, “We’ll have room to expand our operations for years to come.” The ReStore, which has been located at 604 W. Industry Drive since 2007, is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., but will be closed starting this coming Saturday. This is to allow sufficient time to move all of the merchandise into the former Cristex, which is at 500 W. Industry Drive and across from the Bridgestone Bandag plant and near U.S. 15. The Cristex building has remained on the list of vacant or rarely occupied structures in the Tri-County area since the decline of both the textile industry

and big tobacco in the Tar Heel State. Hanny is expecting the ReStore to reopen Saturday, Jan. 9. Residents are welcome to help with the relocation by arriving at the 604 W. Industry Drive location starting this coming Monday morning. Although the location will change, the mailing address and the telephone number will remain the same. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1369, Oxford, N.C. 27565 and the phone number is (919) 693-5694. On the Net: www.granvillecountyhfh.org Contact the writer at bwest@ hendersondispatch.com.

Levi Johnston’s mother serving home confinement ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The mother of the man who fathered former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s grandson is serving out most of her three-year drug sentence under home confinement. Sherry Johnston,43, was released Monday from Alaska’s only women’s prison. Her attorney, Rex Butler, says Johnston is wearing an ankle-monitoring device. Johnston was sentenced last month on her guilty plea in August to one count of possession with intent to deliver the painkiller OxyContin. She is the mother of Levi Johnston. He and 18-year-old Bristol Palin — the eldest daughter of the 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate — were engaged but called off the wedding after their son, Tripp, was born late last year.

Paid Obituary

Chester E. Cone CREEDMOOR — Chester Earl Cone, 75, of 2017 Sandy Plains Road, died Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009, at Wake Medical Center in Raleigh. A native of Stafford, Conn., he was the son of the late Waldo and Rena Corner Cone. He was of the Baptist faith and was engaged in auto body repairs. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday at Union Grove Baptist Church, off Highway 98 on Baptist Road, by the Revs. Donnie Cash and Spencer Chamberlain. Burial will be in Carolina Memorial Gardens. Surviving are two daughters, Debra Avila and Sheryl Cone, both of Connecticut; four sons, Steve Strickland and Guy Cone, both of Connecticut, Roger Cone of Florida and Richard Cone of Durham; two sisters, Martha Buckler and Beverly Wolfe, both of Connecticut; and several grandchildren. The visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Eakes Funeral Home in Creedmoor and at other times at 933 Allister Road, Durham. Arrangements are by Eakes Funeral Home of Creedmoor.

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LAPTOPS, from page one rollout,” Jordan said. The early college students already have laptops, so the new laptops will be spread out for use by students at the South Granville High School of Health and Life Science and by students at the main South Granville High campus, Jordan said. When asked about funding for the laptops, Jordan said the school district has obtained $200,000 from the Golden LEAF Foundation. The foundation is based in Rocky Mount and was created in 1999 to receive half the funds coming to North Carolina from the tobacco master settlement agreement that resulted from lawsuits against cigarette manufacturers over smoking-related diseases. And Jordan said that the district is either going to take money from the fund balance, that is, the district’s piggy bank, or from the technology budget. And Jordan said the district is hoping to obtain federal Race to the Top funding. Race to the Top fund-

HENDERSON — Charlie Bryan Baskett, 79, of 647 Spring Valley Road, Henderson, N.C., died Tuesday, December 22, 2009. Born in Vance County, he was the son of the late Charlie Burroughs and Mary Wiggins Baskett. Mr. Baskett was a retired postal clerk with the U.S. Postal Service, where he was the former president of the Henderson Postal Credit Union for over 30 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran. A lifelong member of Spring Valley United Methodist Church, he was a member of the adult Sunday school class and the church choir; and served as church treasurer, and secretary of the Spring Valley United Methodist Men. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today at Spring Valley United Methodist Church, conducted by the Rev. Ray Pearce. Burial will follow in Sunset Gardens. Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Grace Moseley Baskett; a daughter, Brenda B. Renshaw, and husband, Rusty, of Henderson; a son, Jerry B. Baskett, and wife, Bonnie, of Henderson; three sisters, Lucille B.

Buchanan and Anne B. Bailey, both of Henderson, and Betty B. Hicks, and husband, Ed, of Advance, N.C.; two brothers, Eugene B. Baskett, and wife, Gwen, of Raleigh, N.C., and William B. Bartholomew, and wife, Ruth, of Oxford, N.C.; and three grandchildren, Melissa Renshaw, Bryan Baskett, and Morgan Baskett. He was preceded in death by a sister, Josephine B. Ashcraft. The family will receive friends today from 10 to 11 a.m. in the fellowship hall of Spring Valley United Methodist Church. All other times, they will be at the home of Brenda and Rusty Renshaw, 529 Spring Valley Road, Henderson. Serving as active pallbearers will be Tommy Farmer, Mike Baskett, David Baskett, Gary Stainback, Wayne Young, Earl Young, Mike Grissom, Donald Alston, and James Young. Retired postal employees will serve as honorary pallbearers. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Spring Valley United Methodist Church, c/o Mary Owens, 1111 Spring Valley Lake Road, Henderson, N.C. 27537. Arrangements are by Flowers Funeral Home.

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ing is part of the Obama administration’s effort to support education reform and innovation in classrooms. Gov. Beverly Perdue is seeking to obtain such funding for North Carolina. Jordan said the school district got in a pre-order to Apple for the laptops in hopes the school board would approve. Jordan said the district has obtained a special price because of this being the end of the year.

And Jordan said the district obtained a sole provider exemption because the teachers already have Apple laptops so they could begin to put Webbased curriculum on line. Additionally, the district hired an instructional technologist and assigned him to the South Granville High schools to work with the teachers and the students, Jordan said. Contact the writer at bwest@ hendersondispatch.com.

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The Daily Dispatch

Incomes, spending gain, but new-home sales sink

If you miss your paper,

PLEASE CALL before 11:00 am — 436-2800

Stocks

11,000

Dec. 23, 2009

Dow Jones industrials

10,000

Listed below are representative interdealer quotations at approximately 4 p.m. Wednesday from the National Association of Securities Dealers. Prices do not include retail mark-up, mark-down or commission.

9,000 8,000

+1.51 S

Pct. change from previous: +0.01%

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON — Personal incomes rose in November at the fastest pace in six months, while spending posted a second straight increase. But economists cautioned that the gains remain too weak to sustain a strong economic recovery. The Commerce Department said Wednesday that personal incomes rose 0.4 percent in November, helped by a $16.1 billion increase in wages and salaries. It reflected the drop in unemployment that occurred last month. The rise in incomes helped bolster spending, which rose 0.5 percent in November. Still, both the income and spending gains were slightly less than economists had expected. After taking inflation into account, after-tax incomes are rising at an annual rate of just 1.2 percent. Economists say the recovery will require higher levels of income and spending. This is especially true at a time when households are using some income to shrink debt loads and rebuild savings, rather than spend. “Annualized income growth of a little over one percent will not be enough to drive a significant recovery in consumption at the same time that debt needs to be paid down,” said Paul Dales, U.S. economist at Capital Economics. Contributing to the cautionary picture was a separate report Wednesday that sales of new homes plunged unexpectedly last month to the lowest level since April. November’s sales fell 11.3 percent. And sales were down nine percent from a year ago. The median sales price of $217,400 was down nearly two percent from $221,600 a year earlier, though up about four percent from October’s level of $209,400. The report signaled that the housing market’s recovery remains rocky. Economists viewed the two reports as evidence that the recovery from a deep recession is proceeding in fits and starts, with households struggling with a bleak job market. At the same time, analysts said the economy is much improved from this time last year, when the nation was gripped by the financial crisis. “People are continuing to pay down their debts, and they remain concerned about their financial futures and whether they will have jobs,” said Sal Guatieri, an economist at BMO Capital Markets. “Santa’s toy bag won’t exactly be brimming with goodies this year, but at least he will show up, unlike last year.” Consumer spending, in particular, is closely watched because it accounts for 70 percent of economic activity. A revival in spending this summer, spurred by the government’s Cash for Clunkers program, helped lift overall economic growth back into positive territory, the strongest signal yet that the country has emerged from its deepest recession since the Great Depression. The government on Tuesday trimmed its estimate for third-quarter growth in the gross domestic product to an annual

Area

A DAY ON WALL STREET

10,466.44

High 10,492.06

7,000

Low 10,437.80

Dec. 23, 2009

2,400

Nasdaq composite

2,200 2,000 1,800 1,600

+16.97 2,269.64

Pct. change from previous: +0.75%

High 2,271.33

1,400

Low 2,253.67 1,200 1,100 1,000 900 800 700 600

Dec. 23, 2009

Standard & Poor’s 500 +2.57 1,120.59

Pct. change from previous: +0.23%

High 1,121.58

Low 1,116.00

SOURCE: SunGard

MARKET ROUNDUP 122309: Market

Currencies & etals charts show Dow,M S&P 500, and

AP Photo/Amy Sancetta

In this file photo made Nov. 27, a customer pulls a cart filled with a flat screen television and other items during the traditional Black Friday shopping day at the Target store in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. Personal incomes rose in November at the fastest pace in six months, while spending posted a second straight increase. rate of 2.2 percent, down from a previous estimate of 2.8 percent. Still, GDP showed growth after a record four consecutive quarters of declines. Many economists say GDP growth in the current quarter, helped by solid gains in consumer spending, will amount to an annual rate of around four percent. But they warn that the rebound could falter early next year as the benefits of government stimulus efforts wane and the unemployment rate remains high. The jobless rate dipped to 10 percent in November, down from a 26-year high of 10.2 percent in October. But many economists say it will stay high as discouraged job seekers return to the labor market to look for work and employers remain reluctant to hire. The 0.4 percent rise in incomes followed a 0.3 percent October gain. It was the best showing since a 1.5 percent spurt in May, a month when incomes were boosted by government payments and tax relief from the $787 billion economic stimulus program. The 0.5 percent rise in consumer spending reflected the surprisingly strong 1.3 percent jump in retail sales that occurred during November — a boost that came from shoppers crowding malls seeking deep discounts over the Thanksgiving weekend. A major East Coast snowstorm sharply cut into sales on the last Saturday before Christmas. Merchants are hoping that last-minute shoppers will compensate by coming out in force in the final days remaining before Christmas. The rise in incomes and comparable rise in spending left the savings rate unchanged in November at 4.7 percent of after-tax incomes. A price gauge tied to consumer spending edged up a modest 0.2 percent in November from the previous month, and was actually flat excluding energy and food. Over the past year, this price gauge ex-

cluding food and energy is up just 1.4 percent — well within the comfort zone of officials at the Federal Reserve. The 11 percent slump in November new-home sales from October’s pace shows consumers are taking their time after an extension of a deadline for first-time buyers to qualify for a tax credit. The incentive was set to expire at the end of November. But Congress extended the date to April 30 and expanded the program to include current homeowners who move. David Crowe, chief economist at the National Association of Home Builders, called the results “pretty awful.” New-home sales are considered a barometer of future real estate activity because they reflect sales agreements signed but not yet completed. That’s why most economists expect completed sales to decline during the winter months.

Nasdaq; stand-alone; 2c x 4 1/2 inches; 96 mm x 114 mm; staff Aluminum - $0.9978 per lb., London Metal NEW YORK (AP) — Key currency exEditors: All figures as of: Exch. 5:25:05 PM EST change rates Wednesday: close; Coppermay -$3.1092 Cathode full plate, LME. NOTE: Figures reflect market fluctuations after not match other AP content Dollar vs: ExchgRate PvsDay Copper $3.1200 N.Y. Merc spot Tue. Lead - $2270.00 metric ton, London Metal Yen 91.68 91.79 Exch. Euro $1.4337 $1.4254 Zinc - $1.0822 per lb., London Metal Exch. Pound $1.5953 $1.5967 Gold - $1085.25 Handy & Harman (only Swiss franc 1.0391 1.0481 daily quote). Canadian dollar 1.0478 1.0557 Gold - $1086.00 troy oz., NY Merc spot Mexican peso 12.8840 12.8977 Tue. Metal Price PvsDay Silver - $17.215 Handy & Harman (only NY Merc Gold $1093.30 $1086.00 daily quote). Silver - $17.015 troy oz., N.Y. Merc spot NY HSBC Bank US $1093.00 $1085.00 NY Merc Silver $17.175 $17.015 Tue. Platinum -$1403.00 troy oz., N.Y. (contract). Nonferrous Platinum -$1396.90 troy oz., N.Y. Merc spot NEW YORK (AP) — Spot nonferrous metal Tue. n.q.-not quoted, n.a.-not available r-revised prices Wednesday:

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Wells Fargo repays $25 billion in government bailout funds SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Wells Fargo & Co. said Wednesday that it repaid the $25 billion in bailout funds it received from the Treasury Department under the Troubled Asset Relief Program. The company said in a statement that it redeemed the series D preferred stock issued to the Treasury under TARP in October of last year. As part of the redemption of the preferred stock, Wells Fargo said it also paid accrued dividends of $131.9 million, bringing the total dividends paid to

the Treasury Department to $1.44 billion since the stock was issued. The repayment was made possible in part through Wells Fargo’s recent public stock offering, which raised $12.25 billion. The bank sold 489.9 million shares of common stock at $25 per share. The offering was completed Dec. 18. Wells Fargo noted that the Treasury Department still holds warrants to buy approximately 110 million

shares of its common stock at a price of $34.01 per share. Shares of Wells Fargo slipped 32 cents to $26.84 in afternoon trading.

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The Daily Dispatch

Public Records Carolina Briefs

Madoff moved from federal prison to medical center BUTNER (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Bernard Madoff has been moved from a North Carolina federal prison to a prison medical facility. Federal Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman Traci Billingsley said Wednesday that Madoff was moved Friday. She says the bureau wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t publicly discuss the reasons for an inmateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transfer. Madoff has been imprisoned since March. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when he pleaded guilty to fraud charges and admitted cheating thousands of investors out of billions of dollars. The 71-year-old was arrested a year ago after he confessed his private-investment business was a fraud. He is being treated at the Federal Medical Center, part of the Butner Federal Correctional Complex in Butner.

Testing finds swine flu in pigs at two N.C. farms RALEIGH (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Federal testing has identified the swine flu in pigs at two North Carolina farms. The results released Wednesday makes North Carolina the 10th state with identified cases of swine flu in animals. State Veterinarian David Marshall said the presence of swine flu in pigs is not unexpected and the cases show that the surveillance system is working. Health officials said people cannot

contract the swine flu from handling or consuming pork products. They said it appears the pigs at both farms caught the virus from humans. The states of Minnesota, Indiana and Illinois have confirmed cases of swine flu in pigs. The virus also been identified in cats, ferrets, turkeys, a dog and a cheetah in other states.

Two people reported dead in western N.C. house fire ELLENBORO (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Two people have died in a house fire in western North Carolina. Multiple media outlets reported the fire was reported about 3:15 a.m. Wednesday at a house near Ellenboro in Rutherford County. Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sgt. Forrest Hollifield says investigators are at the scene. The house was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. The names of the victims have not been released. Hollifield says a third person was transported to the hospital with injuries. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t clear how serious the injuries were.

N.C. hospitals easing ban on children as flu eases DURHAM (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The slowing spread of H1N1 flu has prompted more North Carolina hospitals to ease their ban on children visiting patient rooms. Multiple media reported Wednesday that children are again allowed to visit patients at Duke University Medical Center and the hospitals it operates in Durham and Raleigh.

Rex Healthcare and WakeMed campuses in Wake County also are returning to normal. Moses Cone Health System in Greensboro last week dropped its ban on visitors younger than 18 from entering its hospitals. Hospital officials say visiting children could be banned again if the flu returns in February and March. Other hospitals are keeping the ban in place, including UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill and Carolinas HealthCare System facilities in the Charlotte area.

AAA says fewer in North Carolina travel for holidays CHARLOTTE (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Holiday travel will decline in North Carolina during the upcoming holiday season as a rise in gas prices and high unemployment force many people to celebrate at home. AAA Carolinas says travel beginning Wednesday and ending Jan. 3 will dip nearly five percent compared with last year. More than three million North Carolinians will travel more than 50 miles from home this year, about 150,000 fewer than last year. About 2.7 million travelers will hit the road in cars. Air travel will decline by nearly six percent, with 138,000 North Carolinians flying this season. AAA Carolinas cites a rise in the price of gas, which is averaging 92 cents more per gallon than in 2008. Officials say future economic uncertainty will also keep travelers home for the holidays.

Warrant: N.C. womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s corpse hidden since June WILMINGTON (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; When coastal North Carolina authorities found the nearly mummified corpse of an elderly woman in a bed where her family had hidden it for seven months, they thought they might have a homicide case. Now ofStewart ficials say theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re collecting evidence to charge 87-year-old Blanche Matilda Rothâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter with fraud. They say Amy Stewart continued to receive Rothâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s benefits after she died in June. They also revealed in a

search warrant what they found when they entered the Wilmington home on Dec. 15: Rothâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nearly mummified body in a bed covered by blankets in a room with multiple containers of air freshener. Authorities have charged 47-year-old Stewart with concealing a corpse in the house she shared with her family. Stewart is free on bond. New Hanover County Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office spokesman Charles Smith said Stewart continued to receive unspecified benefits after her mother died in June. Investigators seized bank statements, checks and other financial documents. The sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office expects to file fraud-related

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advanced state of decomposition to the point of mummification.â&#x20AC;? Deputies collected deodorizers and air fresheners from the bedroom including a can of Oust Air Sanitizer, boxes of Arm & Hammer Odor Eliminator, an empty bottle of Febreze and an empty box of Arm & Hammer Pet Fresh. Investigators founds insects, rocks and a white powder in the bed with the body. Authorities have confirmed that Amy Stewart, her husband and three children, ages, 15, 17 and 23, live at the house.

charges, Smith said. A search warrant from the sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office said deputies were prepared to investigate a homicide before searching Stewartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home. But officials say the medical examiner has ruled out foul play and the case is no longer considered a homicide. The warrant says Stewartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother-in-law, Catherine Stewart, found Rothâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body last week when she came to the house with her husband to check on the woman. Stewartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father-in-law called 911 and told an operator that Rothâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body was in the house. An EMS worker discovered Rothâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body â&#x20AC;&#x153;in an

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VANCE COUNTY SHERIFFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S OFFICE Arrests â&#x20AC;˘ Darryl Craig Harting, 43, of 1070 Holden Road was served with an order for arrest on Dec. 22. Felony bill of indictment. Felony involuntary manslaughter. Secured bond was set at $10,000. Court date Jan. 19. â&#x20AC;˘ Gwendolyn Terrell, 30, of 79 Evans St. Lot 11 was served with an order for arrest on Dec. 22. Misdemeanor failure to appear on driving while license revoked and operating vehicle with no insurance charges. Secured bond was set at $1,000. Court date Jan. 26. â&#x20AC;˘ James Junious Hutson, 54, of 103 Turner Way, Bunn, was served with an order for arrest on Dec. 22. Misdemeanor failure to appear on misdemeanor larceny charge. Secured bond was set at $600. Court date Feb. 15. â&#x20AC;˘ Dehaven A. Peace, 37, of 5608 Tabbs Creek Church Road, Oxford, was served with

an order for arrest on Dec. 21. Misdemeanor failure to appear on child support. Cash bond was set at $450. Court date Dec. 30. â&#x20AC;˘ Chadwick Bullock, 28, of Norlina was served with an order for arrests on Dec. 32. Misdemeanor failure to appear. Secured bond was set at $2,000. Cash bond was set at $176. Court date Jan. 19. â&#x20AC;˘ Christopher Jakim Small, 29, of 333 Red Clay Lane was arrested Dec. 22. Misdemeanor unauthorized use. Unsecured bond was set at $500. Court date Dec. 28. â&#x20AC;˘ Alycia Danielle Coghill, 17, of 968 Old Hester Place was arrested Dec. 22. Misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon. No bond. Court date Jan. 11. â&#x20AC;˘ Tenika Waddell, 32, of 675 Adams St. was arrested Dec. 23. Misdemeanor simple assault. Misdemeanor second degree trespass. Bond was set at $500. Court date Jan. 22.

HENDERSON POLICE DEPARTMENT Arrests

Larceny

â&#x20AC;˘ Milton Kittrell Cooper, 42, of 2006 Julia Ave. was arrested Dec. 21. Misdemeanor driving while license revoked. Misdemeanor fictitious tags. Secured bond was set at $500. Court date Jan. 19. â&#x20AC;˘ Michael Andre Kelly, 47, of 517 Daniel St. was arrested Dec. 22. Misdemeanor larceny. Misdemeanor possess stolen goods. Secured bond was set at $300. Court date Feb. 18. â&#x20AC;˘ Jasmell Gregory, 21, of 703 Boddie St. was arrested Dec. 22. Misdemeanor disorderly conduct. Misdemeanor resist public official. Secured bond was set at $2,000. Court date Jan. 26.

â&#x20AC;˘ S&M Brands, 3662 Ontario Road, Keysville, reported Dec. 22 the theft from a vehicle at a store at 235 E. Andrews Ave. of Baileyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cigarettes valued at $3,449.60 and Tahoe cigarettes valued at $1,547.85. â&#x20AC;˘ Liana Satterfield, 34, of 115A College St. reported Dec. 22 the theft from the residence of the following items and their values: Phillips home entertainment center, $250; Magnavox DVD/VCR, $120; Sanyo DVD player, $40; heater, $50; and DVDs, no valued listed. â&#x20AC;˘ Alonzo Durham, 19, of 269 Faulkner Drive reported Dec. 22 the theft of a red Moped, no value listed.

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This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s...

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This Sunday in...

The Daily Dispatch

Nation

Thursday, December 24, 2009

News Briefs N.H. man charged with stealing ambulance LACONIA, N.H. (AP) — Police say an ambulance idling outside a New Hampshire hospital was stolen and the suspect needed to be subdued with a stun gun after being tracked down 18 miles away. WMUR-TV reports that 26-year-old Stephen Cummings Jr. of Nashua has been charged with stealing the ambulance Tuesday afternoon. Police needed a “rolling roadblock” to get him to stop the ambulance. Police say the ambulance was taken outside Lakes Region Hospital after its crew had left the vehicle for about 15 minutes to pick up a patient. In winter, ambulances are often kept running to keep them warm. Stewart’s Ambulance Service officials say they’re reviewing their policies. Court officials say Cummings is being held for lack of $10,000 bail. It was unclear Wednesday whether he had a lawyer.

Shuttered Silver Club in Sparks opens for 8 hours SPARKS, Nev. (AP) — The closed Silver Club casino opened its doors for eight hours to hold onto its Nevada gaming license. The casino operated one slot machine and a blackjack table from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday to comply with a state law that requires eight hours of operation each quarter to maintain a license. A spokesperson says at least one customer played. The Silver Club closed Jan. 10 and was to go up for auction Wednesday afternoon on the steps of the Washoe County Court House in Reno.

Ex-President Carter offers Jews apology GREG BATLANTA (AP) — Former President Jimmy Carter is offering the Jewish community an apology for any of his “words and deeds” that may have upset them. Carter writes in an open letter to the Jewish community this week that he hopes the new year will bring peace between Israel and its neighbors. He says “we must not permit criticisms for improvement to stigmatize Israel.” He adds: “I offer an Al Het for any words or deeds of mine that may have done so.” Al Het is a prayer said on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. It signifies a plea for forgiveness. Carter has been criticized by some in the Jewish community who contend his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid” unfairly compared Israeli treatment of Arabs in the West Bank and Gaza to the legalized racial oppression that once existed in South Africa.

Pastor accused of student visa conspiracy SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — Immigration officials have accused a Southern California pastor of helping foreigners fraudulently obtain student visas and handing out phony diplomas at a fake graduation ceremony on a campus where they never attended class. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Wednesday that 65-yearold pastor Samuel Chai Cho Oh surrendered to authorities Tuesday. Officials say Oh is

accused of conspiracy to commit visa fraud for allegedly charging between $600 and $10,000 to help foreigners get visas on the premise they would attend the Christian university he owns in Fullerton. Authorities say Oh acknowledged that 75 percent of the 300 students at California Union University did not regularly attend class. No one answered a call to the university Wednesday.

Vt. woman begs thief to return her $1,000 wheelchair HOLYOKE, Mass. (AP) — A 72-year-old Vermont woman whose wheelchair was stolen out of her daughter’s car is pleading for the thief to return her lifeline. Lucille Riccio of Wilmington tells The Republican of Springfield, Mass., that the $1,000 chair is the only way she can leave her home. She

says she bought it in April and hasn’t finished paying for it. The wheelchair was stolen from the back of her daughter’s car while she was shopping Dec. 16 at the Holyoke Mall in Massachusetts. She’s hoping that whoever took the chair has a change of heart and returns it. She says she can’t afford a replacement, and her daughter’s car insurance won’t cover it. Holyoke Police Capt. Arthur Monfette says there are no suspects.

Mother: Fla. teen set on fire suffers from nightmares MIAMI (AP) — Valerie Brewer, the mother of a South Florida teen doused with rubbing alcohol and set on fire, said Wednesday her son suffers from nightmares and won’t be returning to the family’s old neighborhood. Son Michael was discharged from the hospital TuesdayOn his first night

home, the 15-year-old watched television with his family and spent time outdoors. Three teens have been charged as adults with second-degree attempted murder in the Oct. 12 attack, in which Michael was left with burns over 65 percent of his body. Michael must return to the hospital five times a week for physical therapy. His doctor says a long-term prognosis likely won’t be known for at least another year.

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Thursday, December 24, 2009

Keeping Christ in Christmas

Editorial Board: James Edwards, Publisher jedwards@hendersondispatch.com

Don Dulin, News Editor ddulin@hendersondispatch.com

304 S. Chestnut St./P.O. Box 908 Henderson, N.C. 27536 PHONE: 436-2700/FAX: 430-0125

The First Christmas Luke 2:1-20

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. ([And] this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen [it], they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard [it] wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered [them] in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Our Opinion

Merry Christmas to you and yours

It’s our pleasure this Christmas Eve morning to revisit a few Dispatch traditions from years gone by. “The First Christmas,” from the Gospel of St. Luke, is printed above in the same detail that long-time readers may remember. And we’re happy to reprint a letter to the editor from young Virginia O’Hanlon and a newsman’s response on the subject of Old Saint Nick. It’s also our pleasure this morning to pull from our archives an editorial from a half-century ago that we found to be as relevant today as the day it was written. Some of you readers may recognize the author and his style of writing in the column at the top of this page. While we’re on the subject of traditions, we hope you enjoy those delightful Letters to Santa that appear in a special section elsewhere in today’s paper. Remember, too, that it’s our tradition not to print an edition on Christmas Day. Don’t look for us on Friday morning, but we’ll have a Saturday edition for you. From our Dispatch family to you and yours, it’s our greatest pleasure to wish you the merriest of Christmas holidays!

Much is being said these days about putting Christ back in Christmas. At times and in places and among certain groups the idea is hooted at. They overlook the fact, of course, that but for the Babe born in Bethlehem there would be no Christmas, nor would there be countless other benefits and good things that are commonplace today. Whose responsibility is it that in so many instances Christmas is not Christmas or to see that he has his rightful place? The answer in both instances is the same — Christians. To utter the expression of putting Christ back in Christmas is to infer that once he was in it and that his own adherents and those who are not took him out or permitted him to be erased from the picture. A great deal of the whimsical side of life has been integrated into this great

Christian festival, so much so that it has taken first place to the expulsion of the one who is honored. It has not always been this. Time was when worshipers of the Prince of Peace paid homage to him with the fanfare and glamour that has been built into the event. We would not lessen the joy, even the materialistic side of it, that is attached to Christmas. But the world is going far afield in its failure to stress the status of Christ in time and eternity. He is denied his rightful place in the hearts and lives of men and they are infinitely worse for it. This Christmas and all other Christmases ought to be a season of heartfelt thanksgiving and of rededication to the faith that lies behind the occasion. Without that, it had as well be any other day in the calendar. That gratitude can embrace

the bounties and blessings that are so numerous as to be incalculable. That new allegiance can reach out for those who do not know, perhaps have not heard, and who are callous and indifferent, perhaps even defiant. It can encompass the spirit of compassion, of helpfulness and of tolerance, and a willingness to lead where righteous leadership is lacking but is so desperately needed. It can emphasize the sharing of one’s talents and substance to honor him whose advent into the world imparts vitality to Christmas, despite all its secular shams and profanities. If Christ in Christmas has been lost, it is because Christians have through deliberation and complacency willed it that way. Let’s keep the commendable spirit of giving, but with less stress upon ourselves and our kith and kin and more upon those who cannot re-

ciprocate the generosity thus manifested. At this joyous season, there should be the yearning to acquire the joy that springs from recognition of and dedication to the Christ. Without it the occasion becomes something of a mockery. It is for Christians to assume the responsibility and leadership of putting Christmas in its proper place, a place over and above and beyond all other considerations. Unless they do this, it will certainly never be done and the annual festival will gradually become more and more a monstrosity by comparison with what it should be. EDITOR’S NOTE: This editorial is reprinted from the Dec. 24, 1959, edition of the Henderson Daily Dispatch. The editorial is written by Mr. Henry A. Dennis, who served as editor of the Dispatch from 1915 to 1979.

Letters to the Editor Will our souls also ‘magnify the Lord’? To the editor:

Is there a Santa Claus? EDITOR’S NOTE: It was a long-standing tradition of the Henderson Daily Dispatch to devote a considerable amount of space on its editorial page to “The First Christmas,” the story as told in the Gospel of St. Luke. In addition to the Gospel message, though, the Dispatch could be counted on each Christmas Eve to answer the question asked decades earlier by a little girl who wrote a letter to the editor of the New York Sun. It was 1897 and an eight-year-old, Virginia O’Hanlon, had a question regarding the existence of Santa Claus. Her letter was referred to Francis Pharcellus Church, a member of the editorial staff of the Sun, and — to quote the editor of the Dispatch from the 1959 Christmas Eve edition: “the masterpiece which we are reproducing below was the result. On each Christmas since it appeared, it has found its way back into print. If you have read it previously, still another reading will be worthwhile, and if perchance it has escaped your notice until now, we recommend it to you as a gem exemplifying the ‘spirit of Christmas.’” Here it is reprinted from the New York Sun of September 21, 1897: “We take pleasure in answering at once, and thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same our gratification that its author is numbered among the friends of the Sun” “Dear editor — I am 8 years old. “Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. “Papa says, ‘If you see it in The Sun it’s so.’ “Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus? “VIRGINIA O’HANLON. “115 West Ninety-Fifth Street. “Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepti-

cism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except what they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge. “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginia. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. “Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world. “You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. “No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.”

A recent article, and a subsequent editorial in The Daily Dispatch, told about the new Digital Mammography system recently purchased by Maria Parham Hospital. This technology will provide physicians and technicians with unusually clear and precise digital images for detecting breast cancer. The process also allows for magnification to see better what otherwise might be missed altogether. Before reading the news article, I had been reading from Luke’s gospel in which Mary, upon learning she was to be the mother of Jesus, sang “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior” (1:47 KJV). Never before had I focused on the word “magnifies” in that verse until I read an interpretation of it by Will Willimon, formerly of Duke Chapel. He mentioned the first time he looked through a microscope in his high school biology class and “saw a whole new world.” Things which cannot be seen with the naked eye when magnified make them clearer. Then I remembered the “Microscope Set” I received for Christmas when I was a child. And with that crude, not very powerful microscope, I was able to see a whole new world in a drop of magnified water. When Mary sang out “My soul magnifies the Lord,” did she mean she had a clearer understanding of God? Or as Willimon asked, “Did she mean that God who previously had been only an idea, a concept, a vague, distorted distant thing became in that moment a living, embracing, loving reality?” Again, in magnification something is expanded, brought into clearer focus, made more specific. Likewise, in Christ’s magnificent life God became known in a clearer way than ever before. As the gospel of John puts it, “The Word became Flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory....” God is no longer above and beyond us but now Immanuel, i.e. “God with us.” With that “magnification” we can see God more clearly. Then will our souls magnify the Lord, as did Mary? Surely, the new imaging system will offer even more hope that additional lives will be saved from breast cancer. Speaking of saving lives, Matthew’s gospel reads, “She (Mary) will bear a son and name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” MARION D. LARK Henderson

The Daily Dispatch

Dear Abby

News From The Light Side THURSDAY Morning / Early Afternoon

Ten years ago: Five hijackers seized an Indian Airlines jet, forcing the aircraft on a journey across South Asia and into the Middle East. (The eight-day ordeal resulted in the death of one passenger and India’s release of three jailed pro-Kashmir militants in exchange for the rest of the hostages.)

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