Today I’m revisiting an old custom my former boss at the Chattanooga News-Free Press, Roy Exum, began many years ago. I am sharing my Christmas wish list with you.
First off, I WISH Roy health and happiness. He was most influential on my path into sports writing. I also wish he would write another column.
I WISH all my former colleagues at the former N-FP a most refreshing holiday season. Larry Green, Eddie Baker, Ward Gossett, Sam Woolwine, Mark McCarter and many others were great mentors to me and I hope they all have many healthy years in front of them.
I WISH the entire world peace, joy and happiness.
I WISH continued success for the Baylor and McCallie football teams and that the TSSAA leaves them alone on the boarding school issue.
I WISH Mike Connor and the Silverdale football team a great 2024 season.
I WISH the Hamilton County government would leave McDonald Farm a nature preserve and park for its citizens to enjoy and I WISH they would create a cross country course there that might attract the TSSAA State Championship.
I WISH my mom a very Merry Christmas and many healthy years with us.
I WISH that every soccer coach could enjoy the success that Baylor’s Curtis Blair has had. He is a class act.
I WISH that Chattanooga’s own Cooper Kinney will enjoy some time in the bigs this next season.
I WISH Lance Rorex and the Silverdale Seahawks a state championship in 2024. It’s not all about baseball at SBA, Coach Rorex creates character driven young men in his program.
I WISH success for every public school athletic program in the coming year.
I WISH to see several Chattanooga-area basketball teams in the state tournament.
I WISH Grant Reynolds and Gary Rankin continued success as they mold great football teams and the young men they coach.
I WISH Kelli Howard Smith and Jackie McClain Freeland another ring next season.
I WISH health and happiness for all my colleagues and their families at The Chattanoogan.com.
I WISH I could see all my former military buddies one last time.
I WISH all my uncles, aunts and cousins could gather for a huge family reunion next summer. It seems as if the only time we gather is for the funeral of a family member
I WISH the Braves win the 2024 World Series.
I WISH the Titans a better season next year.
I WISH some NFL team would hire Josh Dobbs as its starting quarterback.
I WISH the Republicans and Democrats in Congress would stop their sniping and govern like we elected them to do.
I WISH for a scandal free presidential election this next year.
I WISH for a year of Snoopy-like joy for my fellow Peanuts fan, Kristi Beach.
I WISH some big corporation in our city would step up and finance turf fields for every Hamilton County high school program.
I WISH Red Bank would get a new elementary school.
I WISH good luck next season to every member of our Chattanooga.com Prep Football Pick ‘Em Panel.
I WISH Josh Payne success at Lookout Valley. He’s a good man and they are fortunate to have him at that school.
I WISH safety for all our military members around the world. I WISH a very Merry Christmas to all those deployed and away from their loved ones. It’s hard to be away during the holidays.
I WISH a Christmas to remember to all our grandkids; Emily, Anna, Caleb, Madison, Carter, Allie and Ryan – Gigi and I love you all SO much.
I WISH very happy holidays and a blessed 2024 to all the doctors and staff at the Chattanooga VA Clinic. I love you all and give thanks for the healthcare you provide.
I WISH I could smell the smoke from my Granddad Clark’s pipe just once more.
I WISH I could taste one of my Grandmother Clark’s “famous” hamburgers just one more time. They were made special because of the love she put in them.
I WISH a Merry Christmas to my fellow veteran, Althea Hunt, who, without fail, remembers me every Veterans Day with a card.
I WISH someone would form a national pickleball league.
I WISH my wife, Gail, health, happiness and a blessed New Year. I am so thankful to share my life with this Proverbs 31 woman.
I WISH (and pray) for better health so I can get back out to high school ballgames and, most importantly, back to regular attendance at my church Silverdale Baptist.
I WISH for a great revival to sweep across America and that our nation would truly once again be One Nation Under God.
I WISH Rhonda Thurman a wonderful retirement from her long service on the Hamilton County Board of Education. Her wisdom will be missed.
I WISH for the safety of all our first responders.
I WISH for Soddy Daisy’s Jared Hensley and Steve Henry a wonderful and successful 2024.
I WISH for a perfect Christmas and quick healing for my colleague Mark Wiedmer, who decided to try his hand at decoration gymnastics earlier this month. Get well quick, my friend!
I WISH many years of happiness for our former Intern Jacob Robinson and his new wife, Kate.
I WISH for many more great interns from UTC Professor Chris Dortch’s class.
I WISH for continued great leadership from Ringgold mayor, Nick Millwood. He and the city council do a great job of governing our city.
I WISH my friend, Ken Poston, great success with his new book, "Zenith Man."
I WISH I could share one more meal at the Krystal with my Uncle Bill Montgomery. Our family misses him so much.
I WISH for peace for Israel and the Ukraine.
I WISH they still made westerns like Gunsmoke, The Tales of Wells Fargo, The Texan and Death Valley Days, along with shows like Perry Mason and comedies like Red Skelton and the Carol Burnette Show. Thank goodness for the METV, Grit and INSP channels.
I WISH Chattanooga still hung those overhead Christmas lights downtown like they did when I was a kid.
I WISH Zach Dragoo continued success at CSAS. Zach is a great coach and a better man.
I WISH more colleges and universities would adopt the policies of the College of the Ozarks. Due to their work study program no one graduates with any college debt at all. They call it “Hard Work U” and they not only provide a first rate education, they instill patriotism and a good work ethic in every student.
I WISH that every cat in every shelter will find their forever home. Yes, I’m a cat person.
I WISH for the safety, health and welfare of homeless people across our nation, most importantly our homeless veterans.
I WISH for every child to have an awesome Christmas and to know love and happiness and the joy of knowing Jesus Christ.
And finally, I WISH for you, our treasured readers a very Merry Christmas and prosperous and Happy New Year. May you all be blessed with health, joy and a season of thankfulness.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
(Contact Dennis Norwood at dennisnorwood56@gmail.com)