Free Republic

Today would have been my Father’s 100th birthday. There aren’t many folks left who will remember that, and take note. But I do, and here’s his story. Before I sat down to write this, I read an e-mail about a lady who wrote about “A Simple White Envelope.” Her story began: “It's just a small white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past 10 years or so. “It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas -- oh, not the...

FORT WORTH - The Grinch could steal Christmas this year. Well, the tree, anyway. Money is tight for the Fort Worth Jaycees, who have put up a tree downtown for 48 years. But maybe not this year. "Donations are down and costs have increased," said Tim Koirtyohann, co-chairman for the Jaycees' tree project. "Each year, it is a bigger struggle." It's not cheap: The tree costs about $25,000 and electricity about $5,000. Then there's decorations, cleanup, equipment and more. The Jaycees hope the public will donate to their Adopt-A-Light program. If everyone who attends the lighting ceremony gives $1, they...