Over the last 75 years there have been a number of fictional super heroes who have possessed “super speed”. The Flash, as this speedster is known, has the ability to run and move extremely fast, use superhuman reflexes, and seemingly violate certain laws of physics.

Each version of the Flash has been a key member of at least one of comics’ premier teams: the Justice Society of America, the Justice League, and the Teen Titans.

One version of the character was featured in a live action television series, simply titled “The Flash”, in 1990. It is also featured in the animated series Justice League. All incarnations of the character have appeared in the Young Justice animated series.

A new television series, also simply titled “The Flash”, staring Grant Gustin in the title role premiered on Oct. 7, 2014. This new program features a hero with numerous elements of the earlier show as well as using many characters from the larger comic universe.

About the same time as the Flash appeared to fight crime, another superhero showed up with similar abilities. Many parents and grandparents will remember hearing these words over the radio: "Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound!" "Look! Up in the sky!" "It's a bird!" "It's a plane!" "It's Superman!"  "Yes, it's Superman — strange visitor from another planet who came to Earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Superman defender of law and order, champion of equal rights, valiant, courageous fighter against the forces of hate and prejudice, who disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice and the American way."

These super heroes were able to do many things that we mortals wish we could do as well. Perhaps the most envied of those powers, especially at this time of year, is the ability to move “faster than a speeding bullet”. On any given holiday we always seem to have more things to do than time to accomplish all on our list.

One year, we had a very busy Christmas schedule, but it looked like everything was coming together as planned. We had gotten the boxes of decorations out of the basement and started putting items in their traditional locations.

My mother had gone to a ceramic studio and made a beautiful nativity set for our family. It sat securely nestled on some cotton on the sideboard in our dining room. Not only was this a family treasure because of its beauty but also because I do not remember my mother making anything even remotely like this. My mother was a very intelligent women who was good at politics, read a lot and was a "Master at Bridge". However, she was not a crafty, handy person.

On the end table in the living room we reserved a place for a stylized ceramic crèche with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus that was made by my mother-in-law. On the other end of the couch was a pair of bears in playful positions that she had made for another Christmas.

We also had two ceramic Christmas trees, one made by my mother-in-law and another made by my mother. Both mothers worked on these wonderful projects during a time that ceramic classes were popular.

My husband, Jim, decorated the top of the piano with a Christmas village. He liked the small structures because he could fit more in a smaller space. He found small children skating, rolling the snow for a snowman, and people strolling along the street. He even had some small-lighted Christmas trees to decorate the landscape.

We put the ornaments, lights, and other decorations for our tree on the side of the room and went on our outing to buy the tree.

The weather was not very good so we decided to buy a tree that was already cut and ready to take home. It was a disappointing decision because we had gone to Knox in the past and cut our own tree. Part of the selection process included a ride on the hay wagon while Christmas music played for us to sing-along.

This year there seemed to be more freezing rain than usual and the temperature was cold enough to make even young children want to stay inside as much as possible.

 Cindy turned on her magic radar and located “the perfect tree” in record time. We paid for the tree, tied it to the car and drove back to Altamont to finish the task of decorating. The tree fit through the door and into the living room in less time than we had expected. We did

not even have to cut too much off of the top and bottom to stand straight and tall.

        We let the tree ‘settle’ and the next day spent hours with the task of placing the

ornaments where they could be seen and would look the best. Small ornaments were

placed on the outside and large ones on the inside. Homemade ornaments always got the

most visible spot so we could tell the story about who made them to all visitors. Popcorn

was popped and went well with hot chocolate. The tree trimming was great fun as we

laughed and sang along with the Christmas music playing on the radio.

        Satisfied that we had created another Christmas masterpiece and tired from all of the

day's work, laughing, singing, and enjoying hot chocolate, we turned off the lights and

retired for the night. The children settled down easily and Jim and I were happy to have a

little quiet time before we retired for the night.

        While sitting at the kitchen table we were rocked out of our chairs by a loud ‘crash’

coming from the living room. We knew that the children were asleep in their beds and yet

our hearts jumped into our throat with the fear that something had happened to one of them.

As we  raced  toward the living room, we were greeted with broken ornaments, tangled

lights and tinsel spread all around. As we looked around the room, we spotted our cat

sitting quietly in the corner washing some sap from her paws. We had forgotten two things;

1. Cats love to climb; 2. Christmas trees need to be secured  to prevent tipping.

        We cleaned up the mess and cleaned the sap off of our cat before going to bed. We

also secured the  tree so our cat would not topple it if she tried to climb it again. After all of

the work was done, we were able to laugh about what happened.

        That Christmas was just one of a lifetime of wonderful celebrations to commemorate

the birth of Jesus. The music, decorations, gifts, parties, cards and other events that have

evolved from other celebrations and now take place over the Christmas holiday are fun but

remember that Jesus Christ was born and that is the reason for the season.

                                                     INTERIM REPORTS

        The Guilderland High School 5 week interim reports were posted on December 18th.

Parents are reminded that "reports can be viewed using the parent portal of School Tool.

Nile gathering

Members of Cyrene Temple will gather at the home of Shirley DeSess in Latham on  Sunday, Dec. 28 for their annual holiday gathering.  Members have been asked to make reservations with Beverly Harrington at 861-8005.   

Never to late

Donations for the Shriner's Hospital are always needed.  All items must be new, unopened, and Latex free. Suggested items include books for newborns through age 21, stuffed animals (no removable or choking hazards), music/DVDS, hand held video games, craft items, art supplies, journals, sketch pads, markers, hair and nail kits, and the list goes on. 

For additional information or for pick-up, please contact Jerry Dievendorf at jdievendorf@gmail or by calling Jerry at 312-6277.

Just a reminder:  "Shriners Hospital for children are changing the lives of children...for free.”

New Year’s Mass

New years Day Mass will be held at St. Lucy/St, Bernadette Church on Grand St. at 9:30 a.m. 

Winter school break

Schools in the Guilderland School District will be closed through January 2.

Anniversary

Happy-anniversary wishes are extended to Nancy and Sanford Furr who will celebrate their 58th wedding anniversary on Dec. 29.                  

Birthdays

Happy-birthday wishes are extended to:

— Terry Martin  on Dec. 26; and

— Jan Murray on Dec. 28.

Correspondent note: Merry Christmas wishes are extended to the staff of The Altamont Enterprise and to all of its many readers.