Happy New Year, everyone! Santa Claus had to come by boat this year, since the temperatures are so warm. He could be seen way out on Pymatuning Lake, surrounded by ducks, swans, carps and muskies.

I wonder if he falls into the post-holiday slump of digging a cocoon in a pile of blankets and dragging a stash of cake, cookies and left-over fruit cake in with him, not to come out until mid-March.

I’d like to open my eyes to a beautiful June afternoon myself, complete with brilliant sunset on Pymatuning.

Brian has begun his annual FSOD’s symptoms again.

Football Season’s Over Disorder strikes heavily at this time of year, especially when the Steelers choke in sudden death overtime.

Poor Karen the Cougar has tried to console him, but to no avail.

The Pittsburgh lamp is off and the blanket cocoon on the couch has grown to mammoth proportions, with some chicken bones and a couple of pop cans tossed outside it, to give some semblance of life inside.

Actually, congratulations are in order for Brian Shade: He has completed night school at Liberty Tax Service in Meadville and has accepted a part-time position as Tax Preparer there.

He has also been accepted at Edinboro University and begins classes on January 23, 2012, to study Accounting and Business.

Community News wishes Brian the best of luck.

The Music Fests and Brown Bag Bingo are off until the 5th of March; the Community Center is very expensive to heat.

North and South Shenango Crime Watch will hold a meeting down on Collins Road on January 19th, at 7:00pm.

They have been trying to get public awareness out about a serious menace called "bottle bombs."

Household chemicals are put into plastic pop or water bottles and left to stew before being placed in mailboxes or on front porches.

These bombs then explode in people’s faces, spewing anything from bleach and ammonia to toilet bowl cleaner.

People are being warned to leave plastic bottles that are laying around with strange-looking substances in them alone, and to notify law enforcement.

Crime Watch also tells people to leave a light on or get a timer with a light.

Get a dog to watch over your place, and leave a television on.

Crime Watch is a great place to make new friends and have interesting discussions.

There is a 50/50 drawing, and cake and coffee are served afterward.

From everyone’s favorite Fire Department, 17 House had a record-breaking year in 2011, with a total of 313 runs.

This breaks the previous record of 310 runs in 2007, which was matched in 2009.

The Engine 17-1 had 37 runs and Engine 17-2 had 41.

Squad 17-8 had 244 runs, the Quint 17-9 had 15, and the Rescue Boat 7-18 had 4 runs.

17 House responded to 18 working fires and 18 motor vehicle accidents, 2 with entrapment.

There was a horrendous fire on Leach Road the day after Christmas.

At 3:30am, flames were showing through the structure, and although both residents escaped, one through a window, all of their pets died in the fire.

The water supply to the fire was established about a mile away at Orchard Landing, and engines were able to shuttle water to the scene.

Thanks from 17 House to Dept. 15, Dept. 5, Dept 20 and EMS 31 and 32.

The NSVFD meets the first Tuesday of the month.

Please donate generously to this fine organization.

Fires are common this time of year and you’ll be glad you donated should you ever need their services.

17 House continuously recommends a smoke detector for every room of the house, and the garage.

These are an inexpensive way to alert you of possible fire and save your life.

For around $11.00, you can buy one per month and soon your house will be outfitted for safety.

You know what they say about he who hesitates...

17 House is now on Facebook; go check them out on the Internet, they have an awesome website.

Li’l Bit is staying open, too; their Friday night Fish Fry is excellent and their lottery machine is a lucky one.

Sometimes there are Twinkies left over; does Dave know that Hostess has filed bankruptcy?

Everyone is keeping a good thought for our friend, Bill Lee, who passed away recently.

Bill could be seen at all the Crime Watch meetings and parties or hollering at whatever township Board was currently in office, and also down at the Community Center, helping out with everything.

We miss you, Big Guy.

Good thoughts go out to Jeff Daniels, local advocate for Pymatuning Lake, who has had some health issues lately. Everyone is hoping he continues to improve each day and he is launching a crusade to bring environmental awareness to the Lake and its important value to tourism, recreation and local business.

We’ll talk again soon.

Stick around in Espyville, folks, where the fish are bigger, the people are friendlier, the beer is colder, the cows give more milk and old Steelers fans never die.