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It is hard to imagine that Christmas 2021 is here and that the Earth has made almost a full revolution around the sun yet here we are.

As Sports Editor it seems that the seasons have been a blur to this point as one season of basketball has completed; baseball and softball have played out a full schedule; we saw two football teams go to state and almost a third; and now basketball is back underway once again.

And while the year has been very, very busy, it has also been one filled with blessings one after the other.

From my perspective as a sports writer and editor, just being able to get out and snap photos and write stories of kids doing what they love to do whether its sports related or not means everything after going through the tough moments of dealing with COVID. Seeing parents and grandparents once again filling the stands to cheer on their children and grandchildren has never meant so much.

Now, with Christmas here and there is a small break between sporting events with schools closed and families gathering together to celebrate Christmas, it gives me a moment to wish a Merry Christmas to some people who have been so supportive of our endeavors to provide the best in sports coverage to our readers.

First, to all the Athletic Directors at each of the county schools- Aaron Dugger – Unaka, Amy Horney – Cloudland, Dewayne Humphrey – Hampton, Matt Estep – Happy Valley, and Forrest Holt – Elizabethton for your kindness and willingness to keep the Star informed of students and sporting events at your schools that deserve to be recognized.

It is difficult at times to know everything that happens but these folks do a great job of working hand in hand to make sure their students are recognized.

Secondly, to all the coaches and bookkeepers of each school and each sport, working with a small staff presents a challenge and just being able to receive notifications and copies of your scorebooks allows us to at least get names before our readers.

Lastly, to our readers, we want to make sure you realize just how important you are because, without your support and reading of our articles, our time would be of no value. It is always exciting to hear you talking about articles that you read and especially those that shine the spotlight on someone close to you. That is often the biggest ‘Thank You’ that a writer can hear.

I also want to publicly thank and wish our correspondents and photographers a very special ‘Merry Christmas’ as they make my job a whole lot easier.

Our writers include Allen LaMountain, Nic Miller, Cara McCloud, Gracie Fields, Austin Alexander, and Carter Nagy. Our photographers who make stories and events come to life include Larry N. Souders, Brandon Hyde, Dawn Lambert along with McCloud, Fields, and Nagy who do their own photography for their stories.

I couldn’t forget to send Christmas wishes out to our paginator Robin Johnson who may not be seen out in public but without her work behind the scenes, our readers wouldn’t have some of the greatest layout of sports around.

Finally, a very ‘Merry Christmas’ is also sent to our GM Delaney Scalf who allows me as your Sports Editor to do the things we do to keep you so well informed throughout the county. And I had better not forget Brandy, Kathy, Janie, Scott, Joyce, Linda, Rozella, and all the press room staff who work diligently to keep the newspaper coming your way.

Our little ‘family’ is a special group and they deserve the best Christmas for all they do.

I would like to close by reminding everyone that Christmas is not about how many gifts are under the tree or even if there is a tree at all. It’s about honoring the Christ Child born over 2,000 years ago in a little town in Bethlehem. For it was He who brought the world the greatest gift ever when His mission on Earth was complete – Salvation.

Merry Christmas to one and all!