Losses to East Ridge and Hurley drop ‘Dogs to 0-3

As the holidays approached, Piney was musing: One can always find the time to volunteer for a worthy cause if one enjoys the time he spends with his volunteer project.

As usual, this column is being written on Thursday. The almost unbelievable thing about that is that one week from today it will be Christmas 2008. Seems like only a few weeks ago I was writing my Christmas column version 2007. Where has the year gone?

“You will never believe the bizarre dream I had the other night.” We have all said something like that before. We have all had crazy dreams, some we talk about, and some we try to forget. Crazy or not crazy, most of us do not pay much attention to our dreams. Almost no one allows their bizarre dreams to direct their lives.

As the end of 2008 has drawn near, much of our world has seemed shrouded in darkness – murder, heartbreaking tragedy, layoffs and predictions of greater economic woes to come. Christmas will not change those realities, but for a moment, if we allow it, contemplation of the story behind this day may cast light sufficient to give us hope. We remember a baby born in practically unimaginable darkness who became a prince of peace, a great physician and a savior for millions. It’s a story worth knowing. Merry Christmas.

Tazewell player also selected Bristol Herald Courier’s offensive player of the year

So here we are, staring a new year square in the eye. I have to say, I do hope it is better than the one we are just finishing up. I don’t think I remember a more difficult one. In fact, I doubt that anyone born after the Great Depression (late 1920s to early 1930s) will remember a more challenging situation economically. After all, it has been a long, long time since we have seen a multitude of major banks and other large corporations failing or major automakers verging on bankruptcy.

I am depressed. The depression did not sneak up on me. In fact, I planned to be depressed. Christmas is now gone by two days. I planned to be depressed when it left.

Tazewell falls to Castlewood in finals

Portion of West Bound 460 closed briefly