REAL-LIFE GRINCH: When we read about a real-life Grinch who struck in Jefferson County, we had to share.

DuBois-based state police reported on Christmas Eve that sometime between Dec. 9 andChristmas Eve, someone took five garbage bags full of wrapped gifts from a Snyder Township home.

Can you imagine going to pull out your Christmas presents on Christmas Eve, after putting all that time into getting your shopping and wrapping done for your loved ones, only to find that someone snatched them all?

We hope the family took a lesson from Whos in Whoville and had a festive holiday in spite of the burglary.

PEACE & BEAUTY: Reader Donald Neal had a few thoughts about America he wanted to share in poetry. We can definitely understand the importance of taking time to see the beauty.

“America and Me”

I don’t know about others’ thoughts,

But America means so much to me.

It is the only place on this earth,

Where all men can be free.

When I see what’s happening to America,

It doesn’t seem it could be true.

With riots and protests and no one caring,

About our flag The Red, White, and Blue.

We go about our daily chores,

And rush from place to place.

We haven’t time to see the beauty,

God made for this human race.

We can’t see the forests of trees,

In summer when they turn to green.

Or the water in a valley brook,

Running so free and clean.

Americans are possessed with speed,

Too busy this beauty to share.

It seems they have lost interest,

It seems they just don’t care.

It is time for everyone to just slow down,

And take a good look around.

At the beauty that surrounds us,

And the peace that can be found.

It is time to help our neighbors,

In difficult times they hadn’t planned.

To stop and pass the time of day.

And to extend a helping hand.

If you love America as much as me,

In your country you have great pride.

And you honor the ones who fought for your freedom,

And also the ones who have died.

It is not too late to change your ways,

Just slow down and the beauty you will see.

It will make a stronger America,

The homeland of you and me.