Letters to the editor

Alice Hill's community

service

Dear editor:

The obituary of Alice Hill brings to mind a person who truly gave of herself to a community. I first met Alice through St Mary's Catholic Church. She lived her faith and she worked to maintain the church and its programs. Alice was always interested in new families who came to church and would help to make the people feel welcome. She made sure that you could get involved in any and all church activities. Alice and Roy did not have children and she always was interested in the youth of Nevada. Alice would never be bothered when a child made noise at church, and once told us that the children at church meant the continuation of the parish.

She was a student at the old St. Francis Academy and rode the train from her northeast Vernon County home when her father was not able to get her to go home for weekends. The sisters and the convent held a special place in her life. Alice helped with high school history reports with her account of life at St. Francis Academy.

Our family has memories of going to the strip pit area that Alice and Roy Hill had planted into Christmas trees. The children walked all over the area to pick out the best tree for the family celebration. This activity brought joy to our young family and Alice was pleased to be of help to others at Christmas. Service was always her calling, and Nevada is a better place because of the groups that she was involved with. The history of Vernon County was very special to Alice and her work with the Historical Society was tireless.

She was a dedicated worker in her jobs and community. She truly cared for people and helped to better those that she came in contact with. Alice had lived her last months at a nursing home, and as with many aged persons had little contact with the Nevada area. Those people who have known Alice Hill will agree that her life and work made an impact for the Vernon County area.

--Virginia Habjan

Nevada

Christmas and religion intertwine

Dear editor:

After hearing and reading so much this year about people across the United States becoming offended by "Christmas;" employees being forced to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas;" schools being forced by parents not to even mention the word "Christmas;" parents being offended by a star on a Christmas tree; and the list goes on....

As a Christian, I feel almost forced to respond.

For those who may not realize this, CHRISTMAS IS A RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY! It is the day we celebrate the birth of our Savior, the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. Without Christ there is no Christmas. If we're not celebrating Christ during this season, why and what are we celebrating?

Without Jesus Dec. 25 would be the same as June 25, or any other day. This great country was founded on Christian morals and beliefs, like it or not. Without them, we are doomed. For those who are offended by these "religious connotations," I can only say this: maybe instead of "being offended" you are "being convicted." Jesus came that we all might be saved. He wants no one left behind. It's not my intention to offend anyone, but I am tired of being offended myself. One more thought: if Halloween offended me because of its "religious connotations" do you think anything would be done about that?

Merry Christmas, Nevada.

-- Lindsey Covington

Nevada