www.greenepublishing.corn 2A Madison Enterprise-Recorder Uicwpoints & Opinions Friday, December 25, 2009 One Of My Parents* Gifts Other than love and security, the gift that my parents gave me that I appreciate more than any- thing is instilling in me a love of reading. As a youngster, I devoured books. I remember when Wilmer Bassett, who was my father's boss, got the bookmobile to come to our neighborhood. He did it because he knew that I loved to read. My father had to work on Saturdays and my mother didn't dri- ve, so the library was out of the question but the bookmobile was a library on wheels. Every other Saturday, I would wait with great anticipation for the world to bring itself to my neighborhood. I met many people because of that bookmobile. It was there that I met George Wash- ington, John Kennedy, the Roosevelts, Dwight Eisen- hower and innumerable other people I read about. I made friends with fictional characters, such as Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn and the Hardy Boys. Sports he- roes stepped off the pages. Babe Ruth swatted home- runs. Joe Namath threw touchdown passes. Lou Gehrig, the "Iron Man of Baseball," was a champion in his sport but lost his battle to the muscular disor- der that bears his name. Rocky Marciano knocked out his opponents and Rocky Graziano, another box- er, proclaimed, "Somebody up there likes me." I still love to read. Whenever I treat myself to a gift, it is usually either a book or something that has to do with the computer. The computer has also opened up worlds of other books for me. One of my favorite websites, if not my very favorite, is www.archive.org. There, I find many books in the public domain. Last night (Monday evening), I found a book entitled The Story of the Other Wise Man. Written by Henry van Dyke, it is the story of the un- known fourth wise man, who gets delayed and does- n't make it in time to see the newborn King. There are also many other books, including classic novels, biographies, self-help books, etc. In addition, there is also music, movies and TV shows which are in the public domain and available for free download. One of the gifts that my parents gave me was the love of reading. I thank God for my mother teaching me to read and I thank God for my father teaching me to love to read biographies and history It is a great Christmas gift! Merry Christmas. florida Press Associ0 2008 Award Winning Newspaper 'Che flabison nttptmse-Recorter P.O. Box 772 Madison, FL 32341 1695 South SR 53 Madison, FL 32340 (850) 973-4141 Fax: (850) 973-4121 greenepub@greenepublishing.com www.greenepublishing.com Publisher Classified and Emerald Greene Legal Ads Laura Little Editor Deadline for classified Jacob Bembry is Monday at 3 p.m. Production Manager Deadline for Heather Bowen legal advertisements is Wednesday at 5 p.m. Staff Writer There will be a $3 charge Michael Curtis for affidavits. Graphic Designers Circulation Stephen Bochnia Department and Dee Hall Sheree Miller and Advertising Sales Bobbi Light Representatives Subscription Rates: Mary Ellen Greene, In-County $35 Dorothy McKinney Out-of-County $45 and Jeanette Dunn (State & local taxes included) -Since 1865- "Telling it like it is with honesty and integrity." Theb fflabison Enterprise-Recorter Madison Recorder established 1865 New Enterprise established 1901 Consolidated June 25, 1908 Published weekly by Greene Publishing Inc., 1695 S SR 53, Madison, FL 32340. Periodicals postage PAID at Madison Post Office 32340. Publication No. 177.400. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Madison Enterprise-Recorder, P.O. Drawer 772, Madison, FL 32341- 0772. This newspaper reserves the right to reject any adver- tisement, news matter or subscriptions that, in the opinion of the management, will not be for the best interest of the coun- ty and/or the owners of this newspaper, and to investigate any advertisement submitted. All photos given to Greene Publishing Inc. for publi- cation in this newspaper must be picked up no later than 6 months from the date they are dropped off. Greene Pub- lishing Inc. will not be responsible for photos beyond said deadline. Why JESUS is Better Than Santa Claus Santa lives at the North Pole ... JESUS is everywhere. Santa rides in a sleigh ... JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water. Santa comes but once a year ... JESUS is an ever present help. Santa fills your stockings with goodies ... JESUS supplies all your needs. Santa comes down your chimney uninvited ... JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited. You have to wait in line to see Santa ... JESUS is as close as the mention of His name. Santa lets you sit on his lap ... JESUS lets you rest in His arms. Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly ... JESUS has a heart full of love. All Santa can offer is HO HO HO ... JESUS offers health, help and hope. Santa says "You better not cry" ... JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me, for I care for you." Santa's little helpers make toys ... JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions. Santa is a "jolly old elf' JESUS is the King of Kings Santa may make you chuckle but ... JESUS gives you joy that is your strength. While Santa puts gifts under your tree ... JESUS became our gift and died on a tree. SYou Mnow i'Ve Rn lT ing Sheree Miller Columniist