10 things I like most about Christmas

It's a great time to spread Christmas cheer and there are many great things that have been going on in the community over recent weeks. I love this time of year for the spirit it brings out in people. Many people who can afford to will give and then there are those who are in a difficult time, who have their burdens lifted somewhat when they receive. There are the Christmas programs at schools, the parties and so much more. It's definitely a great time of the year, so I thought I'd share my own top 10 list, the 10 things I like most about Christmas.

10. The coming together of community. I always like to see this time of year when people put down their petty differences and come together to serve the needs of the community whether it be helping those in need, organizing the perfect Christmas party or school play, or ensuring the success of events like Toys for Tots so that all kids get to celebrate Christmas, there is no shortage of good will at this time of year.

9. The Christmas Parties. Oh yes, who doesn't enjoy getting together with their fellow workers and friends to celebrate the spirit of Christmas. It's all about eating, drinking and sharing gifts. And of course, at LCO, winning big screen TV's!

8. The Christmas Programs. One of the best parts of my job over the years as an editor was attending the school and head start Christmas programs. It's hard to keep from smiling ear to ear when you see those little kids up their singing their hearts out. I laughed so hard this year at the LCO Headstart Christmas Program when one of the classes was up singing and the teacher gave the microphone to one student in particular. The kid was singing away, very loudly, and every one was enjoying it. But, his finale was a You Tube Video gone viral...he starts to belt out "Merry Christmas to all and Happy...," but then replaces the last line, instead of New Year, he yells out, "You Poop!"

7. It's time to eat! Yes, Christmas is yet another time for a ham and turkey dinner with all the fixings. It's a great excuse to fix up that 10-course meal and share it with your loved ones.

6. The wonderful Church ceremonies. The ceremonies are wonderful on Christmas. These once-a-year ceremonies are powerful and I'd recommend that all those who celebrate Christmas, the spirit of the season, and the birth of Christ, to take time out of their schedules this year and go to a ceremony...to remember the reason for the season.

5. All the Christmas movies! What an awesome family time it is when we all crowd around the living room, under the light of the Christmas Tree, eat Christmas cookies and watch some of the best movies ever made. It's an annual tradition in our home to watch A Christmas Story and Christmas Vacation. They're still just as funny as the first time.

4. The gift of giving. The old saying is that it feels better to give than to receive. At Christmastime there never seems to be a shortage of givers in our community. There are many organizations out in force at Christmas time helping people in need. The toy drives are just breathtaking how successful they have become with Christmas 4 Kids and the LCO Toys for Tots and Teens, not to mention the food gift basket handed out to over 200 families this year by the First Lutheran Church in Hayward. And then there was the beautiful event held at the LCO Boys and Girls Club on Saturday where over 400 kids received gifts sent all the way up to the reservation from Barrington Hills, IL in the honor of a fallen soldier, Tom Boyle.

3. It's New Years next week. Yeah, a new year is upon us. Instead of having a Christmas hangover, we already have another holiday to look forward to, the new year. Time for resolutions and celebrations. Speaking of New Year's Eve, I'd like to plug the New Year's Eve Powwow held at the LCO School Gymnasium from 5 pm until Midnight. This is a great way to bring in the New Year in a sober way. The event has arts and craft vendors, food, powwow music and dancing and many contests for prizes. This is one annual event, organized by Becky Taylor, that is surely not to be missed.

2. Christmas shopping with and for the family. I'm not all that much into shopping, especially after trying out Black Friday once a few years back, but there's nothing like searching out the perfect toys for your kids and your significant others. Okay, it can be taxing sometimes, but in the end...which leads me to my number one like about Christmas.

1. The kids on Christmas morning. Yep, the joy of watching them realize Santa came through again. Christmas means so much to kids and one of the best parts for them is undoubetdly, all the presents under the tree. You just can't beat that!

And there you have it. Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

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Despite chairman's latest tactics, I will continue to write

Due to the tactics by our chairman to strong arm directors and managers into not doing business with my new publication, I have found it difficult to acquire both, articles of interest and advertising dollars. That's okay. I will continue to bring you news but, for the time being, it will only be through our website. The costs are too high to print a weekly publication without advertising support.

At first, I figured I would still be able to move forward with the paper idea, but then I discovered that Mic Isham himself has been going to my potential and current advertisers in Hayward and telling them that the tribe is going to boycott their business if they advertise with me. He is speaking to these Hayward business owners as if he represents the entire tribal council when he is actually representing himself.

Mic actually tells the advertisers that it's "they" who want to boycott their business, meaning the tribal council. He then tells them that he, himself, has told the tribal council not to boycott their business, making himself the "hero" who saves the day. But, in order for this boycott not to take place, they must cease advertising with me.

First, the idea that our tribe would boycott any of these businesses based on their participation in the LCO Today is hilarious. These businesses simply seek to do business with the tribal membership and increase their bottom line, so they use this publication as one avenue to achieve that goal. It is you, my readers, they wish to reach. They don't care about the politics of our discussions or the content of certain stories. They only care that as many of you as possible are reading these pages. To punish them for that is way out of line. The only time the idea of a boycott of a Hayward business should come to mind would be if they were known racists or did any harm to our tribe or its members. How are they harming our tribe by advertising in the LCO Today in the hopes that you will patronize their business? Certainly doesn't sound racist either.

Second, the idea that our chairman has gone out of his way to visit these advertisers in an attempt to stop them from advertising is dirty, but beyond that, it's constitutionally illegal for him to take these actions on behalf of the tribal council when they have no idea he is doing so. The tribal council never took any action or participated in a discussion to boycott Hayward businesses who advertise with me.
At any rate, I will continue to bring you news and events via this website and my online newsletter. My main priority will be to write positive stories as you see in this latest newsletter about our schools and our community events. But, if and when information is presented to me that shows our financial status, I will forward it to you, the membership, because it is the right thing to do...you have the right to know.

The sad part is that Mic's actions will hurt many readers who don't have internet access, and there are many. A lot of our people don't have internet at home. Many of our elders just don't care to have internet. They are the ones who won't have access to the LCO Today. That's where I'm going to need your help. Print off any stories you find of interest for any persons who you think might like to read them and pass it forward. in the end, I believe my readership is roughly the same. There are many of our members who live off the reservation that can only get their news online. I had more viewership of two recent blog posts I made in regards to the casino than I had printed copies of the newsletter. Both posts reached 1,500 unique views. That's pretty decent for just getting started.

Eventually, I plan to get the LCO Today to a weekly newspaper on newsstands throughout the area once again!  But for now, this website will be the LCO Today. And I'd also like to mention that in no way is my goal to discredit or put down the tribe's monthly newsletter. I think Lonnie is doing a good job. The true beneficiaries of both publications printing is you, our tribal membership. There are stories I'm going to cover that he's not and there are many he will cover that I won't. And one thing I've noticed since I started printing is that he's stepped it up a bit. The quality of his content and the publication is improving. It's a win-win for you, the membership.

To all who have continued to support me, especially those of you who are not afraid to come up and let me know...chi miigwetch!

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