In youthful days I don’t recall ever hearing the term “Black Friday.” Do you?

But this phrase has really captured the hearts and desires of many, many shoppers and the advertising world for several years.

I read, and I am told, this is that certain time of the holiday season that shoppers avidly rush to their favorite stores cramming their shopping baskets with gifts for family and friends.

I have relatives who are totally absorbed in this mode of shopping. It parallels their same love for yard sales. But I have never been enthused by the clamor it entails. Moreover, I have always waited until the last minute to do my shopping.

I read just yesterday that some of the larger stores in New York City have added extra security, not to prevent theft, but to keep shoppers from being trampled in the stampede.

I suppose that saying “different strokes for different folks” is most fitting  with the advent of “Black Friday” shopping.

I don’t remember hearing about getting “run over by shoppers” at the age of 9 or 10 when my dad told the Atmore Hardware clerk to have Santa include that Red Rider BB gun perched on the top shelf in the small toy section of that store. That was the year I was disappointed at Santa for failing to include BBs with my air rifle. Luckily, my cousin let me have some of his and Christmas was merry after all.

Today I am thankful for my family’s recent “good luck” and for my health and my working at home using the internet to examine flood files and claims resulting from the recent storms and flooding in our northern and eastern states.

Because of this, the pleasure my wife and I receive for buying gifts and toys for the less fortunate is meaningful more than ever before.

Channel 5 is conducting this drive for the needy and it will continue right up until Christmas day for those of you who are interested. The Creek Indians’ main office is our closest center to accept these gifts.

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Now for tidbits from years gone by.

Chunn Sneed left Atmore in 1963 to take a position with a bank in Gulfport, Mississippi. His dad, Joe Sneed, was president of The Bank of Atmore for a number of years.

Mr. Joe was an avid listener to our easy listening programs on WATM. He told Tom and Ernestine Miniard at a luncheon one day that he wanted at least one bank advertisement on our “Sundown Serenade” show which aired as the last show before sign off each day. As the disc jockey of that show I remember one of his favorite instrumentals was Hugo Winterhalter’s “Canadian Sunset.”

In 1966 Mrs. Tom Turk was the big winner of Piggly Wiggly’s “Match and Cash” game. Her $500 prize was awarded to her by store manager Bob Caraway.

That same year Frances Earle won a Music Endowment Scholarship to Huntingdon College. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Earle, the musically talented student was a member of The National Honor Society.

Jimmy Biggs, known to his many friends as the “man with the green thumb” never forgets to bring us tasty, succulent vegetables grown in his “magic garden.” For years now he gives us turnip greens, orka, tomatoes and various other vegetables. And his free-giving nature is experienced by many others here. He gets a tremendous sense of satisfaction “giving away” his garden products to his friends and family.

I know of at least six other friends who tell me of his graciousness.

So, I would like to thank Jimmy for including my family for his thoughtfulness. While many sell their garden products Jimmy never asks for one dime. I am not sure where he attends church, but there is not a doubt in my mind this man radiates like a bright light when he sets with his congregation on Sunday mornings. Isn’t it great to have a friend like this?

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Finally, have you been following the “Occupy” movement?

One internet source states these demonstrators are led by mostly far leftists who thrive being seen on TV handcuffed and dragged to the paddy wagon. Well, a radio host recently said folks in these large cities have just about had enough of this movement. They were tolerated for awhile but now, according to the radio host, the stench from their tent cities is overflowing into nearby restaurants, stores and neighborhood homes. And, yet, far left politicians are “egging” them on.

How would you like to go shopping in a city where the “odor” from their “anti” gatherings prevail over contemporary and traditional aromas of  mistletoe and green Christmas trees?

Next week we will take another look at people, places and events from days gone by.

“….yes…it always whispers to me…those days of long ago…”