What changes will come about next year?

It's time to think about next year. What follows are some suggestions about what should happen as well as an opinion about what will happen.

Pat Luther should resolve to send out more timely emails. Sitting in the office last week, wet and cold, I received her email about the calendar of events for the next three months. There on the first Wed. of March was the first official notice of a return of spring. Kinda like the economic downturn, we know we're gonna get through it, but it's a little tough right now.

Mike Mowrer should resolve not to be a Scrooge. In the future when his new friends from Washington, D.C. send him a Christmas-themed email reminding him of the joys of giving he should just do so. Only a Scrooge would think it is fine for those folks to actually send him something. Mike should also resolve to get more involved next year.

Charolyn Hilburn should resolve to make more trips to the store whenever the Salvation Army bucket is up and the bell ringers are hard at work. Charolyn is too nice to pass by without dropping something in the bucket, coming and going. At last count she had only made six stops by the bucket in one day. I think she can do better.

Vicky Long needs to resolve to knit more yarn. Since Santa Claus didn't bring her a new GPS and the one she has must not work, Vicky has taken a page from Hansel and Gretel. However, instead of using breadcrumbs Vicky has apparently decided to use yarn.

Ralph Hemann needs to get serious about his second career and expand his acting talents. After the cameo appearance he made onstage last summer in Memphis the theatre has been calling his name. A veteran of the local school system, Ralph should opt to begin helping out with the local high school productions. After all, how many instructors can say they've been on stage at The Orpheum?

Vicky Rhew should resolve to quit teasing her Sunday School class when it comes to Christmas lights. After stating that she had "enough Christmas lights to decorate every house in Kennett," Gerald Collins spoke up and asked, "Would you?" Uncharacteristically, Vicky had nothing to say. We're pretty sure Mike is wiling if Vicky would just turn him loose.

Having proven himself qualified to run such an operation, Mark Pelts should expand his cat-feeding operation and begin running it out of the back of the law office. With his partners he also has the opportunity to expand it from the current locations of Bradford Place and Kennett Country Club to cover most of the city. The cats will find the food if Richard Edgington and Johnny McMullan will just put it out. Shannon Morgan will be assigned to take care of the south end of the county.

Terry Whitlock should resolve to learn how to call ducks. According to Dr. Tom Miller, no self-respecting duck will respond to the squawking coming out of Terry's duck blind.

David Earl Christian should just go ahead and swallow his pride by getting his wife, Becky, a set of golf clubs next year. We all know she will probably beat him at golf just like she did when he took her fishing.

Daryl Wilcoxson should resolve to improve his memory. Aside from the benefit of his wife, Vicky, not having to tell him something more than once, he could also save his friends a few dollars by remembering he is a card-carrying, dues-paying member of AAA. In the likely event Daryl's memory will not improve, his friends should make a note that in the event of an emergency Daryl can be of some use.

And now, the crystal ball says:

Does the Coast Guard have a concert band? I'm guessing they do and that's the only branch of the military Jack Astrachan hasn't managed to have in here yet and it's time. I'm guessing there are even some U.S. Coast Guard vets around who would be willing to help out.

Looking into the crystal ball, I see Neal and Laurie Gibbons racking up enough airline miles between Memphis and Atlanta to see their grandson to fly around the world a couple dozen times.

Upon learning of Neal and Laurie's flight plans I see Rick and Cathy Bell trying to figure out how to get a similar deal worked out between here and Kansas City to see their granddaughter.

Along those lines, look for Randy Morgan Airlines to incorporate soon, Nelda as the head stewardess.

Last year it was predicted Jeff Lack would break out the Grecian Formula for use once his son, Andy, took to the highways. I predict David Lynn will call Jeff to get what's left in the bottle and for the same reason. Justin is already scoping out pickup trucks.

George Workman will probably officially change his name to George "Hole-in-One" Workman. His thirsty golf buddies tell me a hole-in-one has become an almost annual event for him.

Lanny and Lynne Geary will boot their youngest daughter out of the house. Okay, this one's not entirely fair and not entirely correct. Samantha is set to graduate and head off to college in the fall. When that happens though it is possible the Gearys will contact Randy Morgan Airlines. Lanny will be calling to see about a package deal with a layover in Columbia whenever he's making the trip to Kansas City. And we know it will have to be a package deal because Lanny never pays full price.

And finally, Brian Mitchell will syndicate his Missouri Tigers' column all across the country. Or, at least wherever Missouri Tiger fans are gathered.

Bud Hunt is publisher of the

Daily Dunklin Democrat.