---

I spoke with a member of St. Bridget's church yesterday, and they asked me to relay a message to the readers. They wanted to let everyone know how much they appreciate all the donations of toiletries for the battered women's shelters. The last delivery a few months ago, had to be 300 plus pounds of different toiletries.

The people of St. Bridget's would like to remind you that there is still a need for more toiletries. They are still taking donations and hope to make another delivery very soon. If you can, they would appreciate it if the next time you are at the store, to pick up another toiletry item to donate to the shelter.

I personally delivered the first load of toiletries, and I can tell you that they were definitely appreciated. You are encouraged to drop off your donations at St. Bridget's or here at the County Press.

We here at the County Press have made a big step in the production of the paper. Last week, we made a switch in our computer system. While not purchasing new computers, we did change systems, which translates into simply one thing. Headaches. Our old system was Macintosh based and was so simple my second grader could find her way around on it. Needless to say, our new system, is not so easy.

The hope is that we someday soon will be able to go directly to print from our computers. Thus cutting out thousands and thousands of pounds of paper. The Press does recycle almost all paper waste, but this will allow us to not create the waste in the first place. The benefit to you is a better looking, crisper paper with better photos and much better print quality. Until then, we'll keep the Advil close.

This weekend, in your Search Shopper, you should have received our first ever Education and Beyond circular. The circular is filled with great ideas for those students preparing to make a choice for secondary education. There's also lots of information for those of you (like me) who may choose to return to school later in life. Our staff did a wonderful job in compiling this great resource and we feel anyone considering a next step in education will benefit from reading it. Along with a lot of great information and advice, you will also see lots of great advertising from colleges all around our area. We hope that you will take the time to read our Education & Beyond 2009, and use it when choosing a secondary education venue.

The local food shelves would like your help. Like me, many of you get so wrapped up in the Christmas hustle and bustle, that we forget about those who are less fortunate than ourselves. That is why the food shelves are asking you to please donate any non-perishable food items you can. Christmas time is one of the biggest times of need for families that have fallen on hard times. Anything, anything at all, will be most appreciated.

Just a quick story about my children and Christmas. A week or so ago, we were sitting down with our children writing their letters to Santa. After about ten minutes of writing down an absurd amount of toys that are way out of Santa's price range, my son gets the old "light bulb above his head look" and starts feverishly writing on his list. When done writing his mother asks him what was his big idea? To which he responds "I asked Santa for an elf". "An elf" he said "can make me any toy I want, whenever I want". Someone is going to be disappointed this Christmas.

In last week's edition of the County Press, we mistakenly misidentified a gentleman in a food shelf donation photo. We identified the person as a driver's helper. It should have read Tom Norberg of Trinity Lutheran Church. We apologize to Tom and thank him for all his volunteer work.

---