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A Letter To Santa

By Staff | Dec 5, 2012

I believe it’s time for me to get out my wishes for the Christmas season. I have had a rough time of it this year, trying to get back to my old self after I had my knee operation. And, I was hoping, if I could ask for one thing for myself it would be to be able to get down on the floor and be able to give my grandchildren a piggy back ride without any pain.

For my wife of 38 years, Lynn, anything she wants. I know what I would like to give her, but she deserves a lot more.

At work, I wish my partners in crime, Bill Abraham and R. J. Goode, something I believe they have never received from Santa, a trip to the USSSA Finals in Softball with the Diamond Queens.

For Chuck Clegg, a best seller with his new book he just got published, and for Cris Jenkins, a floor ticket for the WVSSAC state wrestling tournament to watch his nephew win a title.

To the ladies – Amy Witschey, Lauren Riggs, Dianne Wright, Tammy Bucy, and Lisa Northcraft – a day at the spa, with all the trimmings.

I have so many coaches that I interact with that I can mention only a few here. At my alma mater, River High School, I would love to see another OVAC Championship in the gymnasium in boys’ basketball. Coaches Mark Romick and Gard Curtis are a class act and I would be honored to be able to cover that game at Ohio University Eastern in St. Clairsville.

Cody Caldwell and Cassidy McCullough have been special Lady Pilots to me throughout their careers at RHS. For Cody, I would like for Santa to bring him a new iPod. And to Cassidy, a new pair of running shoes to wear to the Ohio State Track meet.

However, I do cover Magnolia, also, who will also play in the same OVAC Class-AAA contest, and I wish them all the luck, too. But, I believe that bigger and better things await the Blue Eagles in Charleston.

At Paden City, my partner in girls’ basketball, Kelly Sine, needs this team to respond and go out there and fight-fight-fight for a sectional championship.

Also if you can, please let Logan Cosper and Lynnsie Parsons compete in the OVAC Girls Basketball All-Star game.

Out at Hundred, I wish, wish, wish that they can turn it around and start winning again. At Valley, I would love for Santa to bring them another scoreboard for their basketball gymnasium.

There are a number of players who have given me the opportunity to flourish as a sports writer and photographer this season. At Valley, Megan Bucher and Jessica Ashcraft have been very special kids this season. Together, they have been on the other side of my lens quite a few times and wish them both all the success in the world. But, if Santa could bring them both a Nikon, they would be able to take photos of their accomplishments after graduation.

At Magnolia, it’s going to be highly unlikely that I will be able to find a better duo to cover than Stephen Rogalski and Mark Winters. They have been, like Megan and Jessica, on the other side of my camera quite a few times in their careers at MHS. I was thinking it would be really fine if Santa could give them a college or university to go to and continue their academic and athletic careers.

At Hundred, its a no-brainer, too. Chris Varner has been that guy all year long. He has the ability to do whatever he wants in life, but I’m hoping Santa might possibly give him a new four-wheeler so he can get around.

I wish a paid vacation for my fellow sports writer Judy Light at the Tyler Star News so she could see her boy and grandkids again.

*****

A few years ago, I wrote about youngest son Jeremy heading off to Scotland to get his master’s degree in speech and theater. He graduated and was in a good many shows while over there, including playing King Lear.

Since coming back to the states, he has done several shows and now runs FROGGY AM and FM in Fairmont. He also is the acting coach at Bridgeport High School and is a professor at Fairmont State University.

People have asked me what he’s been up to and wanted to know if he was going to perform anywhere close. Well he is. He will play the parrot in the show Aladdin at the Public Theater in Morgantown Dec. 8-22. The show is based on the 1992 Disney book “One Thousand and One Nights.”

It brings the magic of the folk tale back to the stage. Public performances will be held Dec. 8, 9, 15, and 16 at 2 p.m., and on Dec. 14 and 22 at 7 p.m. There are school matinees scheduled for Dec. 4-21. For questions or tickets, call 304-291-4122 or go online at www.wvpublictheatre.org.

I’m very proud of him and would like all that remembered him at Magnolia to try to make it to one of the shows in Morgantown.

*****

I want to congratulate the Magnolia Blue Eagle football team on an outstanding season. You guys played with heart and made everyone associated with MHS in any way proud of how you played the game. Hats off to the MHS coaching staff on a job well done. You guys are the best!

*****

Now that the winter season is here, it will be hectic trying to keep up and make sure no team is slighted. If you attend a game and didn’t see me there, give me a ring and give me some information. Better yet, drop me a photo at sports@wetzelchronicle.com.

Being a coach myself, I know how busy it is during the winter sports season. If it’s not a boys’ or girls’ basketball game, it’s wrestling. OVAC cheerleading, and OVAC wrestling will be upon us soon, and we cannot forget the freshmen teams and middle school games.

I know I don’t cover very much of the middle school stuff. It’s not like I don’t want too. It’s because we have so many different sports in so many high schools I don’t have the time to cover everything. However, if you want to send me a picture with a score, please do. I’ll try my best to get it in.

*****

In conclusion, I want to wish all my readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And remember, let’s keep Christ in Christmas!