CHEERS to 3-year-old Alison Sayward, whose happy holiday spirit snowballed at Wal-Mart in Plattsburgh recently. The little girl's cousin, Debra Ashline, who took her shopping, said Alison, excited that she would be seeing Santa later in the day, tossed out "Merry Christmas" to everyone she met. Debra said shoppers' faces lit up with smiles all around the store. And then a woman followed them to the checkout to say how the little girl had brightened her day. Big CHEERS go to that woman, who didn't give her name, because, when she realized Debra had come up short $47 and was sorting through which groceries to give back, she covered the cost. Debra, who was deeply touched by the act, said Alison did see Santa later on. And when Debra shared how her niece had been a little Christmas ambassador, Santa "gave her a big hug and told her to keep up the good work."
CHEERS to Matt Stanley, manager at Santa's Workshop, for his generosity in a time of recent need. Following the heart-breaking accident that took the lives of Theresa Caito and her 7-year-old grandson, Henry, of Jay, community support was tremendous, with too many helping out to list here. But Stanley's contribution was the kind many wouldn't think of in a time of tragedy. Many loved ones came to Jay to mourn with Theresa's husband, Phil, and with Henry's parents, Greg and Lisa, and brothers, Matthew, Benjamin and Jonathan. Among them were many children who needed some outlet to give them a break from the sorrow as final arrangements were made. Jay Ward, a family friend, called Stanley to see if he could accommodate a crowd of about 30 youngsters and adults at the amusement park in Wilmington. "Without a moment's hesitation, he said, 'I'll get them in,'" Ward relates. The kids enjoyed the outing, provided at no charge, and, Ward said, "it really meant a lot to the family." Stanley's daughters attended AuSable Forks Elementary School with Henry, and so the tragedy struck close to home for his family. At a time like this, when sorrow surrounds children who are too young to understand and when older ones grieve, it's good to give them an outlet to help lift their spirits. "And the parents need to have a little joy," Stanley says, "even if it's not the most joyous time."
If you have a Cheers and Jeers suggestion that you want the Editorial Board to consider, email it to Editor Lois Clermont at letters@pressrepublican.com.
