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2A Daily News – Monday, December 19, 2011 Community people&events SIR honor Peart The greatest gift of all I am one of the underclass of the holiday season — those who wait to the last minute to buy gifts — so I find myself on Christmas Eve in yet another line. The customer at the front; an elderly, bearded, over- weight gentleman with thick black heavy boots, and wire rim glasses resting on a pug nose; is having an animated discussion with an apa- thetic clerk. Shoppers buried under sparkly packages are restlessly shifting from one leg to the other, glancing at watches, and staring at the ceiling as the long-winded debate ricochets back and forth. The sales person reiterates, "You Courtesy photo Ric Vangriethuysen, 2012 "Big Sir" of Branch 139, Sons in Retirement, presents Ray Pert (left) the Louis Shinn Award of Outstanding Service. Ray Peart served the local branch of SIR as a direc- tor of the Executive Committee for many years and as the chair of the Dinner Club for 15 years. The Dinner Club is an opportunity for members and spouses (or friends) to enjoy each others' company while dining at good restaurants. Most people who know about SIR (even its mem- bers) often pronounce it as "SIRS", but the second "s" is redundant as we are already plural in the "Sons". Any way you pronounce our name, you are wel- comed to a friendly retirement group of men who want to gain more from retirement with eating together at the monthly meeting, which is held 11:30 a.m., the first Monday of each month at Riverside Bar & Grill, going out with the group during the Dinner Club time and playing golf together in weekly local competition or in competition with other branches in the area (Mt. Shas- ta, Redding and Chico). You may choose to only come to the monthly meeting. If you are retired and a male and you would enjoy mixing with other guys call 527-5484 or 527-0762. Enjoy your retirement more with Sons n Retirement. SECRET WITNESS 529-1268 A program of Tehama County Neighborhood Watch Program, Inc. Setting it straight –––––––– It is the policy of the Daily News to correct as quickly as possible all errors in fact that have been published in the newspaper. If you feel a factual error has been made in a news story, call the news department at 527-2153. can't pay for that many toys using pennies." "That's all I've got. I can't pay you in milk, cookies, or crayon drawings; but sometimes children leave me pennies. That's all I own." The clerk shrugged. "I'm sorry Sir, you'll have to go elsewhere." He abruptly turns to me, next in line, and disregards the pudgy gen- tleman. Trying to avoid looking at the old-timer, but finding it impossible to notice his eyes losing their sparkle, I inform the clerk to charge me for both our purchases. "It is a blessing to give," I tell the shopper as he looks on in amazement. The heavy man shakes my hand profusely as he lets out a deep robust belly laugh, his middle shak- ing like jelly, "I'm going to make sure you get something astonishing tomorrow morning! It's my greatest gift!" With that, he again laughed his full, rich, belly-quaking laugh, gathered his packages and hurried into the cold. The next morning, I raced down- stairs, not knowing what to expect — sure that whatever it was, it would be big, or expensive — or both. I surveyed the living room. Nothing. Then the obvious became apparent: "Come on Scott, you're an adult. What were you thinking? How silly to even pre- tend. He was an eccentric geezer who cashed in his penny jar, that's all." I brushed aside my fool- ishness and started to exit when I noticed a simple envelope adorned with an embossed snowflake and a monogrammed "S.C." Slitting it open, I pulled out a handwritten note on parchment: "Henceforth, you will realize how fortunate you truly are. Your life is full even when it seems not. Enjoy your blessings. Thanks for the help." Reverting to my previous analy- sis of a well-meaning gentleman whose ornaments weren't hanging from the right tree, I shoved the memo into my pocket and cradled a warm cup of tea between my hands, noticing the heat against my skin on this chilly morning. "What a simple pleasure," I thought as I sipped it. It tasted soothing and generated a lovely glow in my belly, which — I noticed — is looking rather flat these days. I ushered a silent thank you to God for my health, and smiled, realizing how very fortu- nate I am. While others are con- Scott Q. Marcus cerned about getting enough, I have to cut back, an important reminder this time of year. My mind wandered to images of family and friends, and how much I benefit from their presence in my world. I surveyed my house; I'm not wealthy, but I do have a roof over my head, a fire- place, full kitchen, and belongings others couldn't even imagine. I live in an area I love. I have my health, family, friends, and faith. What do I lack? I really do have it all. Sitting in silence with a crumpled note on my lap and a radiance emanating from deep within, I understood this was a memory in the making and I would value it forever. The old man hadn't left a thing but had indeed given me the great- est gift of all. Scott "Q" Marcus is a professional speaker and the CRP of www.ThisTimeIMeanIt.com, a website for people and organizations who are frustrated with making promises and are ready to make a change. Sign up for his free newsletter at the site or friend him at facebook.com/thistimeimeanit. He is also available for coaching and speaking engagements at 707.442.6243 or scottq@scottqmarcus.com. His first five years of these columns are now available on Amazon at http://amzn.to/StrivingBooks. Elks Hoop Shoot winners The Red Bluff Elks lodge held its annual Hoop Shoot contest Dec. 10 for Tehama County youth. The Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest is the largest and most visible of the many youth activities sponsored by Elks Lodges. More than three million boys and girls, ages 8-13, will participate this year. The event highlights the Elks' commitment to America's youth. D NEWSAILY HOW TO REACH US RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY THE VOICE OF TEHAMA COUNTY SINCE 1885 VOLUME 127, NUMBER 24 On the Web: www.redbluffdailynews.com MAIN OFFICE: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Main Phone (530) 527-2151 Outside area 800-479-6397 545 Diamond Ave. Red Bluff, CA 96080 ______________________ Fax: (530) 527-5774 ______________________ Mail: Red Bluff Daily News P.O. Box 220 Red Bluff, CA 96080 CUSTOMER SERVICE: Subscription & delivery Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (530) 527-2151, Ext. 1 subscription rates (All prices include all applicable taxes) Monday through Saturday $9.50 four weeks Rural Rate $10.59 four weeks Business & professional rate $2.19 four weeks, Monday-Friday By mail: In Tehama County $12.17 four weeks All others $16.09 four weeks (USPS 458-200) Published Monday through Saturday except Sunday, by California Newspaper Partnership. Home delivery NEWS News Tip Hotline: 527-2153 FAX: (530) 527-9251 E-mail: clerk@redbluffdailynews.com Daytime: Sports: Obituaries: Tours: (530) 527-2151 Ext. 109 Ext. 103 Ext. 112 After hours:(530) 527-2153 ______________________ ADVERTISING Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Display: 527-2151 Ext. 122 Classified: 527-2151 Ext. 103 Online (530) 527-2151 Ext. 133 FAX: (530) 527-5774 E-mail: advertise@redbluffdailynews.com SPECIAL PAGES ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS Mondays: Kids Corner, Health Tuesdays: Wednesdays: Business Thursdays: Entertainment Fridays: Select TV, Education Saturdays: Farm, Religion Publisher & Advertising Director: Greg Stevens gstevens@redbluffdailynews.com Editor: Chip Thompson editor@redbluffdailynews.com Sports Editor: Rich Greene sports@redbluffdailynews.com Circulation Manager: Kathy Hogan khogan@redbluffdailynews.com Production Manager: Sandy Valdivia sandy@redbluffdailynews.com POSTMASTER SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: PO BOX 220, RED BLUFF CA 96080 newspaper of general circulation, County of Tehama, Superior Court Decree 9670, May 25, 1955 © 2011 Daily News Postage Paid Periodicals The Red Bluff Daily News is an adjudicated daily 90 years ago... Moonshine Odor Still Is There But Bootleggers Gone The odor of moonshine was still strongly in evi- dence and indicated recent activities of the elusive bootleggers when Sheriff M. O. Ballard and other local officers swooped down on an abandoned dwelling along a lonely road about four miles northwest of Red Bluff late Saturday afternoon. — Dec. 19, 1921 The Elks desire, through the program, to provide an interesting, character-building, com- petitive program for all girls and boys in the con- test regardless of their pre- vious athletic competition or abilities. The parents of finalists at the state, regional and national levels attend the competitions as guests of the Elks. The following competi- tors won their age division and in January will move on to District competition in Redding. Ages 8-9 division was Sybil Funk in the girls class and Aaron Browning for the boys Ages 10-11 was Jesse Miller, girls and Mario Derrick W. Seawater Navy Seaman Apprentice Derrick W. Seawater, son of Roger L. Hayden, Jr., of Red Bluff has com- pleted U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Seawater is a 2011 graduate of Red Bluff Union High School. Breanna E. Ingram Navy Seaman Breanna E. Ingram, daughter of Martinez, boys Ages 12-13 was Julia Brandt, girls and Casey Moore, boys Courtesy photo Winners of each age and gender group during the Red Bluff Elks Lodge Hoop Shoot Free Throw contest are pictured. The Red Bluff lodge is proud of these winners and wish them well in further competition. IN THE MILITARY Daniel B. Ryant, of Red Bluff, has completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Ingram is a 2010 graduate of Lander Valley High School of Lander, Wyo. During the eight-week program, Seawater and Ingram completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safe- ty and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness. The capstone event of boot camp is "Battle Sta- tions". This exercise gives recruits the skills and confi- dence they need to succeed in the fleet. "Battle Stations" is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. Its distinctly ''Navy'' flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a Sailor. K W I K K U T S Family Hair Salon $200 REGULAR HAIRCUT off with coupon Not good with other offers 1064 South Main St., Red Bluff • 529-3540 Reg. $13.95 Expires 12/31/11