The run up to the holidays is always a time during which it is challenging to fit everything in the schedule. And at a weekly newspaper, the schedule is really messed up during the season when regular meetings are canceled or moved, new events pop up and a lot of issues and events deserve community attention. "Hectic" can describe it, but so can a sigh of wonder.

The latter description comes to mind after many events involving children. If you have some, consider yourselves lucky, even if you are tired. If you don't, take advantage of those who do and visit their public events, such as last week's Christmas programs at Nespelem and Lake Roosevelt elementary schools. Or the Moose Lodge's party for kids, or any church concert or skit in which children play a major part.

Focus on their faces. They reflect the newness of the world they see. That is their perpetual gift to the generations who came before them, a reminder of times when the red and green of Christmas season seemed of deeper hues, and the smell of nutmeg alone could cause salivation for the eggnog to come.

Those faces are the real instigators behind all the commercialism so many decry at this time of year. Adults are hooked on those smiles and bright eyes and will do whatever it takes to get another dose, or even imagine one.

So be thankful this week for that ever-renewing gift, and be mindful of it. It's part of what makes life so full.

To that end, a little help. Taking photos of events this season means focusing on lots of those faces. We'll make downloads of Star photo taken over the last few weeks free, so you can browse them and find any you like from the Find Your Photos advertisement on our website at grandcoulee.com.

Merry Christmas.

Scott Hunter

editor and publisher

As promised, here is a slideshow of photos taken for this week's issue, with each shot downloadable for free.

Merry Christmas which, by the way is the password you'll need to download.

To download, go to this link. Click on any of the 105 images in the gallery and enter Merry Christmas for the password. (It's case sensitive, so use capital letter in the right places).