Christmas articles have abounded on The LoJo over the years

Posted on December 24, 2017 9:49 PM

From the beginning of www.theloganjournal.com in 2009, Christmas articles have been a staple.

During the first seven Decembers of The LoJo, I continued the tradition of my Cheapskate Editor’s Christmas Card List that I had begun 13 years earlier as editor of the News-Democrat & Leader. The premise of this annual epistle was if I had the time and the money for cards and postage, these are the people I would thank for their contributions to my life, honor for their contributions to the community, congratulate for their accomplishments, or console for their losses during that year.

That ended following a 20-year run after the 2015 holiday season.

Beginning with the first year of The LoJo, readers have contributed articles to our online publication throughout each year, including the holidays. The first came in 2009 from one of my early heroes, Andy Mac Rector, childhood friend Bob Owen, and current friend Dianna Penrod.

In 2010, two ladies who contributed many articles during the early years of The Logan Journal, Marie Foley and Fadocia Annette Nole Hall (she’s Fadocia to North Logan people and Annette to Nashville news viewers) wrote Christmas memories.

The next year, over 20 people recalled Christmases from earlier days. They included Nelson Weaver, Jeannie Leedom Bowles, Suzi Burgher Payne, Dorris Burchett, Missy Maxwell Perry, Laura Nealy Burks, Bobby Sue Clark Silvey, Mary Lucy Franklin, Linda Holloway, George Guion, Lindy Kemmis, Linda Hatler, Julie Webb, Vicky Populorum Lyons, Jill White Steward, Rita Stratton, Rob Williams, Kim Jenkins, Joan Dodson and Kimberly Harris.

In 2013, prolific local author Algie Ray Smith started letting us publish his annual Christmas stories on The LoJo. They usually involve his specialty—historically localized fiction. He mixes real people and places with creations from his vivid imagination. His 2017 story deals with the late Miss Robbie McClean, who was a legendary artist and philosopher in Russellville. Some of her hand-drawn Christmas cards are shown with the article, which is illustrated, as always, by current local artist Sonny Green.

This year’s other contribution is “Christmas Eve in Austin” by my Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College colleague Tim Lutenski, who joins Algie Ray with an imagination that creates facts and quotations.

For anyone who would like to read or re-read any of these articles, the links follow.

Merry Christmas from The LoJo.

2009

Christmas memories warm our hearts by Andy Mac Rector, Dianna Penrod and Bob Owen

http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=guests23

2010

It’s the thought that counts by Fadocia Annette Hall http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=guests75

A humble place by F. Marie Foley

http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=guests74

2011

Remembering earlier Christmases in the Land of Logan by 20 authors

http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=guests96