Stealing the Holidays

Somewhere out there, someone is driving around in a green van c.1997 with a yellow sign on the side that says "MEALS ON WHEELS." Are they delivering meals? No, they stole the van! Seriously, someone STOLE a van from the meals on wheels program!! Makes me wonder what in the world they were thinking! I mean a Porsche, a Ferrari, a Lexus, even a Kia! But an old green van that delivers meals to senior citizens? I just don't get it. The van didn't even have food in it yet!

But this is nothing new. Every year our local Police Athletic League hosts a beautiful holiday light display in the park. For a set donation, people can drive thru in their cars and take in the splendor of the season, stop by the indoor craft fair, indulge in hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies, etc. Or you can pay to ride the Holly Trolley and get a narrated tour. Or, if you're the really intrepid type, you can walk or bike thru - if you can tolerate the frigid temps. But every so often, someone actually STEALS one of the light displays! Seriously, they just yank it out of the ground and make off with it. These light displays are serious decorations - think Clark Griswold on steroids! Most are HUGE with flashing lights, rotating discs, etc. - a sight to behold. But there are smaller ones - perhaps 6' tall or so and not very wide. Certainly portable enough if you get a few burly guys together, give them a few beers, and say, "Whaddya say, Buffo? I'm bored. Let's us go over and hoist one-a them light things in the park. Huh?" What's the point? I mean, what are they going to do with it? DING DONG! "Hey, Ma! Look what I got ya for Christmas! But, uh, don't go puttin' it in the front yard. Put it in the back bedroom or maybe the basement and enjoy lookin' at it by yourself. And, uh, don't tell nobody where it come from." Seriously? Or maybe they can take it to a pawn shop. "Hey, buddy. I got this here nice light display. No, I din't steal it. What makes you think that?"

Usually the displays are found abandoned in an alley but one year they actually caught a couple of college kids CARRYING ONE DOWN THE STREET! I don't think they were Rhodes Scholars.

Meals On Wheels vans and Christmas lights.........Yes, folks, there are Grinches everywhere. Be on the look-out........................