Mark’s Musings – December 7, 2016
Mark Fortune
It was a big weekend in college football. The Buckeyes will be taking on the Clemson Tigers on New Year’s Eve in the Fiesta Bowl. It doesn’t get much better than that! Unless the Buckeyes beat the Tigers and wind up playing in Tampa on January 9 in the National Championship game.
The Ohio University Bobcats gave it their all in the MAC championship game against an undefeated Western Michigan squad – losing by only six points – 29-23. The Bobcats will be playing in the Dollar General Bowl on Dec. 23 at 8 p.m.
Did Penn State deserve a spot in the national playoff over Washington? True, the boys from State College did have an incredible run including the conference championship and a hard fought victory over the Buckeyes in a home game for the Nittany Lions but an early season loss to Pittsburgh and a thumping by Michigan doomed their shot for a playoff berth. At least that’s my opinion. The committee had a tough one this year.
As we head full on into the holiday season there are lots of local opportunities to enjoy the festivities: There are two more Roscoe Village candle lighting services – Saturday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec. 17. This is a wonderful time to start or continue a family tradition – as many locals and visitors alike participate in this event each year.
Perhaps you are still nibbling on some cookies from the annual Prairie Chapel cookie sale or you went to the West Lafayette Christmas Parade and participated in the reindeer games. Or maybe you attended the annual Coshocton Community Choir Christmas Concert titled “O Holy Night.” Or, you may have attended the play at the Triple Locks Theater. Maybe you went shopping or had a family get together as the holidays draw closer. Regardless, I hope you had an enjoyable weekend.
These events bring together lots of talented people that are willing to devote many hours and a part of their holiday for the enjoyment of others in the community. This spirit of volunteerism is a signature hallmark of Coshocton County – whether it is the annual parade down Main Street, church choir presentations, community food drives and meals, bell ringing for The Salvation Army or many, many others, the giving spirit of Coshocton County citizens always climbs several notches during the holiday season.
I do need to make mention of a correction to my November 23 “Mark’s Musings”. I wrote that Leadership Coshocton County made the treats for the parade – they, in fact, distributed the treats to a grateful number of parade patrons – while the board members of Our Town Coshocton donated the food for the event. I apologize for the error. The treats were quite yummy! And the parade was terrific. This is another fine example of volunteerism – the folks with Our Town Coshocton – stepping forward to make things happen in the community.
Speaking of Our Town Coshocton, please find details in this issue of The Beacon about a new event planned for this week by the nice folks at Our Town Coshocton and local businesses. Enjoy!
Category: Mark's Musings, Opinion
