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Director's Cut, by Ashley Wright<<< MERRY CHRISTMAS! >>>
DECEMBER 23, 2010 - Hello fellow track fans, Here we are – December 23rd. Today I will meet up with my dad and sisters to help my dad shop for my mom. This little adventure will also likely include a trip to Sam’s Club, where my dad will buy a pair of jeans. He desperately needs a new pair and what better place to shop for jeans than Sam’s Club the day before Christmas. Tomorrow the dads will take all the cousins to the arcade. Yes, we are now adults, but this tradition is a favorite. While at the arcade, we will play a fierce game of laser tag. After Christmas Eve dinner, we will all gather in front of the TV, where each person must select and sing a karaoke song before opening gifts. You should know that I am very good with “Broadway Tunes.” Rather than singing karaoke to open gifts, Ian Waltz’s family reads the Christmas Story – a much better representation of the true meaning of Christmas. I love that they will also have a Christmas Sweater Party (please send pictures). I wonder if their new baby (mom is pole vaulter Stacy Dragilia) will have a sweater that says, “Allyx’s first Christmas” with flashing lights. Every family seems to have holiday traditions that make their holiday special. Melinda Owen’s family kicks off the holiday with a wrestling tournament – Tri-State. She explains, “I will head back to Montana on the 17th of December just in time for our Owen family high school wrestling tournament called Tri-State. This includes a total of 10 cousins and uncle who coach in Idaho, Washington, Montana and newly this year, we will have a cousin bringing his team up from Phoenix, Arizona. This kicks our family’s holiday off!!!” Mary Wineberg and her husband will be taking their daughter to Disney World for the first time. Apparently, the little one is not fond of the “characters” – actually “petrified” is the word Mary used. I’m sure this trip will be the foundation for many special memories. Good luck and have lots of fun, Mary! Dan Huling looks forward to a white Christmas in New Hampshire. He loves to run on the packed snow and reward himself with Dunkin Donuts in front of a wood fireplace. “A few years ago I was running out on the country roads on Christmas Eve. There was snow on the ground and it had been warm but was getting colder very quickly. There was heavy fog and there was no traffic at all. I'll always remember how peaceful it was to be with my thoughts and how I ran up on an intersection with just one four way flashing light above me. The flicking sound and the fog and the deserted road was very peaceful and enjoyable.” Someone in Diana Pickler’s family may be receiving an antique Old Spice shaving kit. Ten or so years ago her step dad received a super old set of Old Spice cologne and shaving kit from a distant uncle. “For some reason my family got such a kick out of it and it has been a circulating gift through my family. Every time a new man comes into our family he is welcomed with the wonderful kit of old spice and we just get such a kick out of it.” Britney Henry’s family will be “calming” themselves with Cream de Coco. She explains, “My Grandfather started a tradition in our family about 40 years ago. You see, my Grandmother and Grandfather had six kids and they were not the easiest to get to sleep the night before Santa came to town. So, every Christmas Eve they would take a little shot of Cream de Coco. This tradition has never skipped a beat and as a family, even if someone is in another state, we all toast to those we have lost and to a great year with a full shot of Cream de Coco.” I think that Elizabeth Roehrig’s family is Santa’s favorite. Apparently, they are one of his first stops. When they get home from church on Christmas Eve, Santa has already come. Additionally, while at their grandparent’s house, all children have a stocking with $5. After opening the stockings, the kids hunted for two plastic pickles (no that is not a typo). Whoever was to find a pickle would get an additional $5. What makes this tradition even better is that 23 grandchildren (ages 15 to 35) will be running around this Christmas looking for the plastic pickle. Best of luck to our girl Elizabeth – may you find the plastic pickle! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! ABOUT ASHLEY: "Like many of you, growing up I wanted nothing more than to be an Olympian. The idea of competing to be the best in the world seems to me to be the ultimate thrill and accomplishment. I never realized my Olympic dream, but it has truly been an incredible opportunity supporting others to achieve theirs. As a member of the USATF Foundation Board, I’ve had the pleasure to meet athletes. I love hearing their stories. As my buddy Tom and I were talking about ways to better market the sport, we decided that very few fans get to know the athletes outside of results and BLOG would be a good way to share Foundation News, connect with youth teams and get to know our elites." -- Ashley ARCHIVES |
ASHLEY WRIGHT, USATF FOUNDATION DIRECTOR READ ASHLEY'S BIO HERE.
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