Here we are at a beautiful white Christmas. There couldn’t be a more perfect opportunity than the Christmas issue for us to wish our readers and friends Happy Holidays. We combined forces here, creating the below list of just a few people we work and live with each day, who deserve  a special holiday hello.

Our hearts go out to the families who have recently lost loved ones on the highways. For them, let’s slow down and be alert, and take special care to enjoy the season with the ones we’re lucky enough to share the season with.

Merry Christmas and abundant thanks to the EMTs, deputies, troopers, dispatchers, firemen, volunteer groups and officers for taking care of us on the icy, cold roads.

Thanks and happy holidays to Ron, it’s been rough weather lately, but our mail is always here on time.

Merry Christmas to John Heglie, our name-spelling whiz and donut deliverer. If you ever need more information about the local sports teams, he’s the go-to guy. We appreciate all the help and company, John.

Merry Christmas to Pop’s and the crew at Ricciardi’s.

We appreciate all that you do Volunteer Firefighters of the Mission Valley.

Merry Christmas to Lori and Ron Boyce and the staff at The Driftwood Family Restaurant.

Merry Christmas and thanks to every school secretary up and down the valley who we constantly bother with questions and favors. Debbie K., up at Polson High, thanks for transferring our calls when we should have written down the extension weeks ago.

Merry Christmas to the Roberts family, Julia and Mike and family, thanks for being so warm and welcoming.

Merry Christmas to Stuart Morton of St. Ignatius, who always answers questions, despite us having misspelled his name a few times.

Paul Fugleberg was a very sick man earlier this year, to have him up and around and writing his column and visiting the office is the best Christmas present the Lake County Leader staff could ask for.

Harley Hettick is a Dixon-area melon rancher and all-around nice guy who deserves honorable mention at Christmas.

Holiday best to the Gary Prescott family, Polson. Thanks Jo Durand, for getting us the Polson senior news and keeping everyone up-to-date on the those pinochle scores.

Merry Christmas to Ken at Rising Wolf Traders. May your day be joyous, Joleen and Karen.

Merry Christmas Dave Tolley, family and crew at Wal-Mart

Happy Holidays to Pat and crew at DeVoe Electronics.

 Merry Christmas to: Ron and Bonnie Wolven of Walker Lake, Nev.; Leo and Dina Lesperance of Scottsdale, Ariz.; Marky, Austin and Danne Stock of Las Vegas, Nev.; Billy and Destini, hope Santa brings everything you wanted; Toby, Valerie, Brie and Mikey at Polson Beer, Wine and Liquor;  Bryce Allred enjoy your first Christmas, love Tia and Kraze Uncle Joe; Ben and Cameron Rinke have a great Christmas, Love Michelle and Joe.  Learn family, have a safe and happy day. Jaeger Family have a safe and happy day.

To anyone who has submitted a beautiful Shooting Gallery photo to the Leader, thanks again and keep them coming.

Congrats to the Griz and the Saints, thanks for representing Montana down south (sorry, Goss, that you traveled all the way down there for two losses, but I’m glad you didn’t die and go to heaven).

Merry Christmas to Dennis and Nila Anderson; Jerry, Renee and the boys; Dave Eric and John; and Rob McDonald. Rob, we really wish you worked on Friday so we could bother you even more.

Happy Holidays and thanks to all the city council, school board members, school volunteers and teachers in the county. Thanks everyone for submitting letters to the Editor and for the story ideas. Thanks to all the friendly people at the courthouse  and on the chamber of commerce for your help. Merry Christmas Julie Berry. Thanks for the updates. Keep up the good work Coalition for Kids and Family Matters. 

Erin says Merry Christmas to all her new friends here. She loves you dearly.

Merry Christmas to my family: Mom, Dad, Bre, Brad, Monica and Dac. Grandma and Grandpa Cederberg, sorry you missed Christmas in Alaska. Grandma Bradley, thanks for hosting pizza last night. And to Gus, Chip, Cookie, Sugar, Mitch, Toey and even Wiley.

Hope you have fun skiing Mike. You deserve a few days of nothing - after the holidays it won’t slow down for awhile. You are the sports authority.

Erin, I hope Santa brought you a puppy. Thanks for all your hard work. I know the readers appreciate it.

Happy Holidays, everyone. Thanks for reading. We look forward to bringing you the news of the county in 2009.