guymon | Guymon, Oklahoma

Reading something on Facebook, I realize the likelihood that the story might not be totally true, the person named with the quote has a good chance of not being accurate. But there are some great stories, whether they are real or made up. Some that have a good lesson. Like Aesop.

Here’s one that I read that I think is good.

“’Dad, I think I’m old enough to know now,’ says the son. ‘Is there a Santa Claus?’

“Not being the world’s fastest thinker, I stalled for a time. ‘I agree you’re old enough, but before I tell you, I have a question for you. You see, the truth is a dangerous gift. Once you know something, you can’t unknow it. Once you know the truth about Santa Claus, you will never again understand and relate to him as you do now. So, my question is, ‘Are you sure you want to know?’

“’Yes, I want to know,’ the son answered.

“’Yes, there is a Santa Claus,’ explained the father, ‘but he’s not an old man with a beard in a red suit. That’s what we tell the kids. Kids are too young to understand the true nature of Santa Claus, so we explain it to them in a way they can understand. The truth about Santa Claus is that he’s not a person at all; he’s an idea.

“’Think of all those presents Santa gave you over the years. I bought those myself. I watched you open them. And did it bother me that you didn’t thank me? Of course not! In fact, it gave me great pleasure. You see, Santa Claus is the idea of giving for the sake of giving, without thought of thanks or acknowledgement.

“’When I saw the woman collapse on the subway last week and called for help, I knew she’d never know it was me who summoned the ambulance. I was being Santa Claus when I did that.

“’Now that you know, you are part of it. You have to be Santa Claus too. That means you can never tell a young kid the secret, and you have to help us select Santa presents for them, and most important, you have to look for opportunities to help people. Got it?’”

Enjoy the magic of Christmas. And share the magic of Christmas.

Consider taking a moment to attend a church of your choice during the Advent season. I know Main Street member churches St. Peter’s Catholic and Victory Center would be happy to see you there.

Consider attending some of the Christmas programs going on about town. The Christmas Open House, Shop and Dine, Christmas Tree Lighting (and Santa coming to visit) are all happening on Fri., Dec. 6. Bring the kids down and have hot cocoa and cookies at City Hall. Enjoy being part of the community during this fun time. There are carriage rides available, the Guymon Community Theatre is having “The Nativity” production at 7 pm that evening. Loads of fun downtown on the 6th.

The next day you can have photos with Santa at Back on the Rack, 120 NW 10th.

On Dec. 10th is the great fun at the library, “A Dicken’s of a Party” that includes Christmas book reading for the kids, Christmas music from locals, and fun. That runs from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

The OPSU Christmas Gala, with the Chamber Singers and guests performing, with a dinner on Dec. 13 and 14. Get your reservations at www.Christmas.opsu.edu.

The Nativity is also the weekend of 13, 14, and 15.

Lions Shopping Spree happens early the morning of Dec. 14 and they need volunteers to help the kids shop. What a great way to help!

That same day from 9 am to 5 pm is the Christmas Village with gifts and more to see and buy at the Connection Church, 1901 N. Lelia, and the Nazarene Church, 2214 N. Sunset.

The Methodists have the Christmas Cantata “Sing and Shout for Joy” at their 10:50 service on Dec. 15. They invite all to come and enjoy.

Be a part of the magic. Get the Christmas spirit and remember the story of Christmas … and the one of Santa Claus.

See you on the bricks during this holiday season!

We recently finished a series of eight Breakfast and Business that had various speakers and topics geared to help business owners and managers. One of those meetings was about retirement. Actually, more like getting ready to retire and having a retirement for your employees and such. It was a good meeting and I learned a lot. But that’s not difficult. When talking about almost anything with numbers, I know very little. So, it isn’t hard for me to learn something.

Sitting there in the meeting, for some reason I just thought I had to join in the conversation. It doesn’t make sense, but it happens all the time. I like to talk. And so, I mentioned the article I read about teaching your children how to save on the 80 – 10 – 10 method. Only I said 80 – 20 – 20. And I am sure I spoke with the utmost confidence.

After the class I made the comment about me not really understanding numbers well. David Winger, who I have known for 30 years or more, piped in, “I noticed. You know that 80, 20, and 20 is 120, don’t you?”

Oh.

Did I mention that the classes were taped by PTCI and will run for the On the Bricks programs on Channel 2? Oh, yeah.

When I asked Winger why he didn’t correct me, he mentioned something about the TV camera. Ummm hmmmm.

Reminds me of the saying I recently read, “Some things are better left unsaid. Which I generally realize right after I have said them.”

My life.

There has also been a really fun happening in my life recently. My orphan Neptune (the former OPSU football player, now an alum) had his Naturalization Ceremony in OKC on Oct. 27. I got to go with him. Such an honor for me. It was a small group, only 50 plus a few. Twenty – two countries were represented by those taking the oath. Have you ever heard what the immigrant or new citizen says?

“I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”

Neptune, who moved here with his family from Haiti when he was in second grade, has been legal all these years and the road was expensive and time consuming, but not difficult, to citizenship. But while he was there he met a young man who had been trying for 13 years to get his citizenship and had spent over $60,000. We should appreciate what so many are working so hard to get.

America isn’t perfect. No way. Each of us needs to appreciate it and work to make it a better country.

Neptune’s English is his third language. And he speaks it with no accent at all. I admire this so much. I am so proud of him.

My life.

What else is happing in our lives here in Guymon?

Shop and Dine is Thur., Nov. 2, from 4 – 7 pm and you can win a great swag bag worth $250 in a drawing. Visit SPC WOW Boutique, Golden Crown, Merle Norman, La Amistad, and / or Beauty and the Beast to learn more. All this on the fourth and fifth blocks of Main Street.

Then on Nov. 4 are several great happenings. You can learn more about the Medicaid prescription plan and more at enrollment in the Library from 10 am to 3 pm. Free help and they won’t be trying to sell anything to you. That same day is the Benefit Arts and Craft Bazaar at the Guymon High School Commons Area from 9 am to 6 pm. This same Saturday starts the Pumpkin Patch weekend, great arts and craft vendors at the Texas County Activity Center from 9 am to 6 pm on Saturday and 11 am to 4 pm on Sunday the 5th.

OPSU has a free play happening on Sun., Nov. 5 at 3 pm and at 7 pm on Nov. 6 and 7. It happens at the Centennial Theatre in Goodwell and is titled “No One Cries in this Play.”

Starting on Nov. 6 and every Monday evening in November is the class “Control Your Diabetes for Life.” This starts at 6 pm in the Texas County OSU Extension Office, 301 N Main in Guymon. The program is based on food choices and meal planning for those with diabetes or someone preparing food for a diabetic. For more information on this, call 580-338-7300.

See you on the bricks!