Thanks to all for great year

We are about to say goodbye to 2004 ... but, before we do, we'd like to say we appreciate and thank our families (for still admitting we belong to them); our friends (ditto); our readers and contributors, as well as our editor, Barry, and his able cohorts, Lynn and Nicole; good neighbors, doctors and dentists; the "FISHies," police and firemen; volunteers everywhere; Carolyn's roommates and co-workers; buspersons, waitpersons (boy, are we PC) and garbagemen; the guys at Carson Shell and Empire Landscape; our servicemen and -women; the people at Lefty's who get Carolyn out of a pinch now and then by making her potato salad; and the people at Scolari's and Villa Basque Deli (doing similar things); Charlie Abowd and staff at Adele's for soup when Maizie was sick; fresh-squeezed orange juice at the VBD, Jerry Massad's Crackerbox and Woody's Diner; Devincenzi's nice people; the Marrones, Nan, Bob, Paul, TJ, et al at The Basil; June Joplin at Comma Coffee; the guys and gals at the Station Grill; Carson Tahoe Hospital; John Hurzel at Grandma Hattie's; and Garibaldi's and Skip Thurman's (can you tell we eat out a lot?) ... we know there are many others out there we've forgotten (our memories are shot) ... but, thank you all again and again ...

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OK .. enough of the sappy stuff .. "A gang of robbers broke into a lawyer's club ... the legal lions put up a great fight, and the gang was happy to escape. "It weren't so bad," one robber said, "We got out with $25." "Waddya you mean?," said the other ... "We had $100 when we broke in!" (shame on us ... )

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One of the best pilots in the world comes from right here in Carson City ... Col. Coert Scoggin, son of Lee and Norm Scoggin, is the pilot of Air Force II ... the plane that shepherds the vice-president around ... pretty neat stuff, we'd say ... can we get a ride? ... huh, huh, huh? (this comes under the "fat-chance" category ... but we're still throwing it out there ... )

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Jackie Maye, aka "Mozart," is having another "Breakfast with Mozart" and silent auction at 9 a.m. Jan. 15 at Carson High School. It costs $7.50 apiece and will benefit the Larry Holloway Scholarship Fund. For tickets and information, call 882-9571. Also performing will be Alyssa English, a former student of Larry's and Jackie's ... so, be there in Senator Square!

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Belated happy birthdays to Jonni Moon, Marty Tate, Ted Rupert and Karen Hinton ... may you live to be as old as we are ... without the creaks and moaning ... (unless you're having fun, that is) ...

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For something wonderful for New Year's Eve ... here is Annie Johnston's "Spinach Balls" recipe: 6 eggs, beaten lightly; 2 cups herb stuffing mix; 1 large onion, grated; 3/4 cup butter, room temp.; salt and freshly ground pepper to taste; 2 packages chopped frozen spinach, thawed and drained; 1 cup Parmesan cheese; 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning ... preheat oven to 350 degrees; add remaining ingredients to eggs and blend well ... roll into walnut-size balls and transfer to greased baking sheet (or use the "nonstick" Reynolds wrap ... no grease needed ... great stuff). Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes, and serve hot. They can be partially baked for 10 minutes, cooled and frozen ... then when you need them, they can be reheated for 10-15 minutes in a 350-degree oven. Makes about 4-5 dozen appetizers. Betcha can't eat just one ...

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The Nevada State Railroad Museum would like to thank an "angel" for sponsoring 30 kids from the Boys & Girls Club on their "Polar Express" expedition, who might not have been able to take the trip ... what a nice thing to do for Christmas ...

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By the way ... "if Santa got stuck in your chimney ... did he get "Claus-trophobia?" (major groan ... ) or "Did you have Grandma for Christmas dinner?" "No, we had prime rib." (They don't get any better than that)

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St. Peter's "Prescription Program" was started to help the Ross Clinic at FISH with its diabetic supplies ... unfortunately, they are now down to their last farthing ... if anyone could help them, please send contributions to 305 N. Minnesota, Carson City, NV 89703. A whole lot of people will thank you ...

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What morons decided to demote or dishonorably discharge some National Guardsmen in Iraq for trying to bolster the armor on their trucks by scrounging for scrap metal (per CNN and Time magazine)? We know a few men who served in WWII who are deploring that ... how would they have made the Great Escape from Stalag Luft III without a scrounger? We hope Congressman Jim Gibbons looks into this ...

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A big oops on our part: Ray Smith's book "Carson City - Yesterdays" can be found in Reno at Barnes and Noble, sometimes. Five are on order now.

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Alas, the year is almost up ... we're not making any resolutions, therefore, we won't be disappointed ... have a safe time this weekend ... "and a happy new year."

Carolyn DeMar and Maizie Harris Jesse are longtime Carson City residents. Write to them at editor@nevadaappeal.com.