If I say Merry Christmas and you say Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah or whatever is right for you, that’s fine. We're just greeting each other with our own friendly greeting. No offense intended. Just trying to be nice to each other in our own way.

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Your recent article regarding Eve at St. John’s at St. John’s Lutheran failed to mention that the cost of the dog is over $12,000. With so many people hungry and out of work and in need of clothing and shelter, $12,000 on a dog seems to be poor stewardship.

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Thanks to all the Lombardians who put up Christmas lights this years. They look great. I remember in the past a house had an elaborate display and you could tune into a music station and it would go to the lights. But, I can’t seem to find it anymore. Does anyone know where this house is in Lombard? Thank you.

The house to which you refer is located at 251 N. Fairfield, Lombard. See Page 14 for more details.—JAC

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I think Joyful Traditions was wonderful this year. I believe the chamber of commerce did a grand job bringing Tommy Higgenson to light the tree and all the businesses being there. I very much enjoyed it. Congratulations.

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Hi, Villa Park calling. I just want to thank the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce for their hard work to put on such a wonderful winter event every year. The lit trees along the Prairie Path make it so magical. The snow globes, the photos with Santa, the s’mores, the Willowbrook show choir, the trolley car, the food, just make this such a joyful tradition for our community. And what a surprise and honor to have Tom Higgenson from the Plain White T’s light our grand and gorgeous tree and help celebrate with his hometown. I noticed a lot of business names on wreaths, banners, stockings and decorated blocks, which I am assuming have donated since this event is free. I intend to shop them and urge you to do the same, as it supports our small businesses. Kudos to Villa Park.

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With the Christmas holidays approaching, how about focusing on things we are grateful for, a time of good cheer, instead of the negative and complaints. Find something positive about our community to share, even if just for a few weeks. Merry Christmas.

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I just heard white Christians are a minority in the United States. No wonder we can’t have children’s Christmas programs or a nativity scene, or say Merry Christmas. Why do immigrants come here illegally and attempt to change our country to theirs? That never happened when immigrants came here legally. They wanted to be Americans. They didn’t change the country. Why do they come here if they don’t want to be American, if they apparently oppose our life? I think we all know the answer to that. I want my America back. Trump for president.

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For those of us in Lombard who are within hearing distance of the Glen Oaks skeet shooting range, listening to the sounds of gunfire four days a week from 10 a.m. until dark from Nov. 1 through March 31 is a disturbing experience. Decades-old Glen Oaks was “grandfathered” in when this county-wide ban was enforced. The area surrounding the range is no longer open grassland, but developed residential communities. Village officials have stated that their hands are tied since the range is located in unincorporated Glen Ellyn. Quiet neighborhoods matter to many residents. Send your concerns to the Village of Glen Ellyn. I also spoke with a California psychiatrist, featured in the Chicago Tribune, who works with returning veterans dealing with post traumatic stress disorder about this situation. Some veterans who have not had the benefit of therapy to help them cope with the sounds of gunfire as often as we are exposed to it here in Lombard could be negatively affected by this exposure. Veterans or their family members should contact the DuPage County Board as well as our village manager and share their concerns. The range should not be located this close to a residential community.

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I just got my notice from the cable company that everything is going up next month. I remember the early days of cable TV when the bill went up from $3 a month to $4 a month. Everyone was screaming that the local politicians who had to approve the cable rates were all on the take. People demanded that the federal government oversee the cable rates. Well now you have it.  I hope you are happy. These are the same jokers who are now overseeing your medical care. Let’s see how that works out.

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I really object to people who park at the post office at the front entrance and keep their cars running. Not only does it block the entrance into the post office, but car exhaust fumes drift into the lobby. The post office needs to install a sign at the front entrance that states, “No stopping, standing or parking, subject to a $200 fine.” Thank you.

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Fellow Lombardians, wise up. After Dec. 1 there’s no leaf pick-up. I believe it ended on the 28th this year. Whatever you’ve got on the curb will be there in the spring. Also, the village, or Waste Management, I should say, does not take electronics. I don’t care how many tags you put on your television; you put it out on the curb. it’ll be there in the spring. You’ve got to take it over to either Goodwill, which will recycle them, or the township facility right behind the Goodwill in Lombard on Roosevelt Road if you can get there between 8 and 4. Otherwise, Goodwill will take care of recycling. Don’t put leaves out after Dec. 1 and don’t put electronics on the curb. They won’t take them. You just make the neighborhood look bad.

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The Diva Montell holiday concert at Helen Plum Library was wonderful. What a talented young woman. The program was just so full of holiday music. If you missed it, I hear she might be back next year. Be sure and be there; it was a great concert. Thanks, Helen Plum—you did well. It was well-attended and a fantastic concert.

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I just wanted to say that I thought Joyful Traditions was very outgoing and I thought it was very awesome. I liked Tommy Higgenson there. That was pretty cool that he showed up. Yeah.

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Can’t wait to see Lilacia Park all decorated for Christmas. It’s amazing. And also the beautiful house on Main Street with the Santa choir in front. They make my holidays a lot brighter.