With Christmas fast approaching, there are a lot of presents I would like Santa to bring for the folks that I deal with from time to time.

First and foremost, I would really like for Ho-Ho to bring some good news to the the Wetzel County during the winter season.

If Santa can pull off this next present for my friend and PCHS Girls’ Head Basketball Coach Kelly Sine, I would be as happy as can be. That would be to have a practice or game where there is no drama. If Santa can throw a few wins into the sack – along with a sectional championship this season – that would be icing on the cake.

For PCHS coaches Fred King and Jeff Bowers, a big player that can score from anywhere on the court, to go along with double-digit victories.

Up the road at Magnolia, Dave Chapman doesn’t need a lot. He has everything he needs: a nice wife and kids to go along with an unselfish bunch of girls that love the game of basketball. However, if Santa could give the Chapman family one thing it would be the opportunity to take Magnolia to Charleston to play for a state title.

For the MHS boys’ coaches, Larry West, Mark Blair, and Dave Tallman, a new state championship ring would be great because the last one is getting a little old. It would be nice to see them wear a brand new and shinny one to go along with all the other rings they wear.

Across the River, my alma mater, I would like the opportunity to watch RHS Basketball Coaches Kris Pfalsgraf, Gard Curtis, and Mark Romick accept an OVAC Class-AA Crown at Ohio University Eastern with a jam-packed Monroe County crowd. It goes without saying, please include a similar gift for Rick Islay’s girls’ varsity too.

Also to the wrestling programs at River and Magnolia, it would be great to see a few more football players out for wrestling. They could also add support for individual sports like track, cross country, and golf.

It seems Santa hasn’t heard what was on my list in the past for the Lumberjacks and Lumberjills. So, I’m changing what I have asked in the past. For Lance Binegar, Heather Brown, Leslie Lively, and John Kocher, it will be nice if Santa could bring them a new scoreboard for their gymnasium. Valley is the only gymnasium to have only one scoreboard and my head gets a kink in it by always looking up to see the score. If he could throw Mason-Dixon and OVAC Championships into their stocking, that would be a blessing for a bunch of good coaches and staff.

If Santa can turn right at the end of Barker Road and make his way to Hundred High School, he could see that the school is in need of additional parking space at the school. They have a nice school and gymnasium, but they cannot fill the gym because of the limited parking they have. While you’re at it, give coaches Jeremy Kelch, Shannon Bartrug, Brian Bartlett, and Greg Hostetler a chance to represent Wetzel County in a state championship in Charleston.

For the staff at the Tyler Star News and the Wetzel Chronicle, the warmest of holidays. But, if you can give Amy Witschey a chance to get home before dark on Tuesday evenings, that would be a great gift to her and her family. Also to my partner in crime Bill Abraham, a new computer with all the software so he won’t get too upset when he comes to work. To Miranda Stokes, the opportunity to have that special day with her special guy. To Diann, Lisa, and Tammy, a day off where they can go relax and get pampered with a massage and have their nails done. And to our publisher, Brian Clutter, a ticket to the West Virginia vs Clemson BCS Bowl Game.

My wife finally got the Christmas present she has been asking for: a new kitchen. But, if you could wrap up a certificate with an Alaska cruise in it for both of us, I would be deeply in your debt. For my three sons – Greg, Chris, and Jeremy – all the happiness in the world. However, if you could give me one last request? And that is that Jeremy can find that special lady like Greg, Chris, and I did.

To all the readers, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.