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Merle Haggard recorded a song in the '70s that a lot of Country music radio stations play during the Christmas holidays called "If We Make It Through December". I am wondering that myself these days. I am relieved that the senate run-off is over and that I don't have to hear anymore about what a stinker each candidate is or is not. With the election over and the state legislature getting together next month, isn't it time we pay closer attention to what the folks elected to represent us are doing? Shouldn't we hold them accountable? Aren't you held accountable for your actions at work? They do here at this fine state university. Bottom line, if the folks we elect aren't getting the job done, let's get some fresh horses that will " get 'er done" to quote Larry the Cable Guy. Just an opinion, I could be wrong.
My weekend would not be complete without a visit to George at Papous Pizza and his marvelous Greek salad with grilled chicken generously piled on it. I ran into Ronnie Brooks and his wife there about a week ago. Ronnie's mother and dad were two of the greatest folks ever to come out of our wonderful town. Brother Howard Brooks and his wife helped so many people over the years. I remember our neighbors the Kilgores attending Faith Tabernacle where Reverend Brooks was pastor, over in the American Thread mill village. The Brooks Family were always doing for others. They passed that quality on down to their children. Ronnie is working hard for the organization called the Tallapoosa Service Council in my elementary school days. The organization helps the less fortunate during this time of celebration of the greatest single event in the history of mankind. There is perhaps more need this year because of job layoffs and the general economy suffering globally but it is hard to explain that to a child. A child needs something to open on Christmas morning. I remember a fourth grader growing up in Tallapoosa who was from a home that saw divorce and economic hardship from the job loss of his mother. His grandmother made sure that there was food albeit simple food on the table. She made his underwear one year because there wasn't enough money to buy them at the store. His hand me down jeans were always clean and he got his monthly haircut for dollar at Bill Coggins' barbershop and he had a pair of U. S. Keds from Cummings Department Store and a pair of Sunday shoes from Lipham's. He was taught to be respectful and even though the family didn't have very much financially, he was told there were many worse off than him. He took that to heart. On Christmas Eve of 1960 Richard D. Allen a local high school boy and now a local attorney and eldest of Dr. Allen brought a box of groceries and a football for the little boy. Richard was a volunteer for the Tallapoosa Service Council making sure the less fortunate in Tallapoosa had a Christmas. The little boy was so excited about that football and kept it in his room until he finished high school. He never forgot that people in his hometown made sure he had a Christmas that year. It is my favorite Christmas memory. It was the best Christmas ever for me. I am making sure Ronnie Brooks gets a donation to the Tallapoosa Service Council to help others this year. Please join me. It could make a big difference to a little boy or little girl this Christmas.

Rhubarb Jones is a Tallapoosa native and serves on the faculty of the Department of Communication at Kennesaw State University. He can be reached at P.O. Box 1001, Tallapoosa, Georgia, 30176 or via email at Rhubarbjones@aol.com