It's A Wonderful Gift Of Life

In the classic Christmas film from Frank Capra, "It's A Wonderful Life" Clarence the angel tells George Bailey: "Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?" Well, on December 21st at the Paramount Theatre in Rutland almost 1,400 were around to touch the lives of people they will never know. Blood donors waited in some cases for hours to give "The Gift of Life" so there would be no "hole" in the area blood supply. And when the more than 12 hour marathon was over the event filled that hole with 1,393 pints of blood eclipsing the amount collected in Boston at Fenway Park by 226 pints. The organizers of the event, CVPS, WJJR radio & The Red Cross must be congratulated for all their hard work & long hours but they would all tell you that the outcome of the event wouldn't be possible if not for the people of Rutland & the surrounding communities who touched so many other lives by being part of "The Gift Of Life Marathon". Frank Capra's film was based on a story titled "The Greatest Gift"...perfect! There's no greater gift one can give. Bedford Falls & its giving community may only be a place you find in the movies, but for one special day it was found in a special part of New England called Rutland, Vermont.

Ladies' Night!

Well, it was actually the ladies' afternoon, but I'm sure that Sunday night was one full of celebration for the women of UConn basketball. The Associated Press wrote: Already with no equal in women's hoops, UConn won its 88th straight game Sunday to tie the mark set by coach John Wooden and his UCLA men's teams from 1971-74. UConn already owned the longest winning streak in NCAA women's basketball history (70 games). Next up, the Huskies (10-0) can surpass the UCLA men Tuesday night at home against No. 15 Florida State.

Here's to the women Huskies for an incredible streak....and on Tuesday here's hoping that you stand alone as the most winning team in college basketball history!

One Monday Night In December

December 8th, 1980: For me it is one of those dates frozen in time. When I can remember just where I was when I heard the news. There was JFK & RFK, The Beatles on Ed Sullivan......and... December 8th, 1980. I was watching the Monday Night Football game between the Dolphins & Patriots. There were only seconds left in that game as I recall. Place kicker John Smith was just running out onto the field to kick what would be a losing effort at a field goal. But as much of a Patriots fan as I was even back then I only remember those events because of the announcement that came next and the three words uttered by MNF broadcaster Howard Cosell after he told his audience that John Lennon had been shot: "dead on arrival". That's when that piece of time froze for me; and 30 years later I remember it like it was only yesterday. It's only those things that mean a lot to you personally that can have that effect. The image of my mother sitting on the floor as I came home from school after she slid out of her chair in shock about JFK; The image of RFK's own son hearing about his father on television while he sat alone; and three words that took just a bit of my happy youth from me one Monday night in December.