by John G. Miller

MANAGING EDITOR

For those not keeping track on their calendars at home (as we all used to do when we were children), Christmas is now just 17 days away.

That's right. You have less than three weeks to get ready.

Have all that shopping done yet?

What about wrapping presents?

How about all that baking?

Had time to address Christmas cards or send presents to those relatives and friends in far-away places?

It's no wonder the holidays can be stressful.

I know I still have plenty to do. And I'm not the one responsible for wrapping presents or baking (for which my family is eternally grateful).

Still, I hope we all can find time to sit back, relax and reflect on the true meaning of the season and enjoy precious moments with family and friends.

One of my favorite times of the year is the few precious minutes I get to spend in my recliner late at night, gazing at our Christmas tree and remembering holidays past.

Make the time to enjoy the season. You'll be glad you did.

- MEMORABLE HOLIDAYS REMEMBERED: Speaking of the holidays, I was wondering if any of our readers wanted to share some of their past Christmas memories with us. Send them to me at P.O. Box 2000, Clarksburg, WV 26301 or by e-mail at jmiller@exponent-telegram.com. I'll include some of your best holidays of the past in upcoming columns.

- NICE ADDITION: I had a chance to visit the new McDonald's in the New Pointe II development recently.

If you haven't stopped by yet, you should -- it's one of the nicest McDonald's I've seen, and it's a great addition to the area.

Local McDonald's franchise owner John Ebert -- he owns restaurants in Clarksburg, Bridgeport, Shinnston, Weston, Buckhannon, Nutter Fort, Philippi, Parsons and Elkins -- happened to be there when I stopped by for a quick bite to eat.

He took me on a tour of the place and proudly showed me some of his sports memorabilia that is displayed at the store.

His collection included an autographed Jerry West jersey, a great collection of Notre Dame memorabilia and the initial stage of his efforts to get autographs from all living Heisman Trophy winners. He has several, but the ones I remember are from Howard "Hopalong" Cassady, the great Ohio State back who won the Heisman in 1955, and Roger Staubach, the former Navy great who won in 1963 before going on to a great career with the Dallas Cowboys.

John G. Miller is managing editor of The Exponent Telegram. He can be reached at 626-1473 or by e-mail at jmiller@exponent-telegram.com