While Lawrence County children dreamed of Pokemon, Barbie and brightly colored gifts containing other toys that blink, sing, dance and play, adults filled their Christmas wish lists in another way.

Saturday, December 25, 1999

While Lawrence County children dreamed of Pokemon, Barbie and brightly colored gifts containing other toys that blink, sing, dance and play, adults filled their Christmas wish lists in another way.

The wrapping paper might be torn and the stockings empty, but the hearts of county residents still have holiday wishes to share.

"Really, for myself, I don’t want anything," Ironton resident Mary Grubb said. "But, I have two grandchildren, and as long as they get what they want for Christmas, I’m happy."

While Mrs. Grubb watches her grandchildren’s joy at unwrapping their gifts each year, Ironton resident Nancy Smith had other thoughts during the holiday season.

"My first thing on my list is for my daughter to get home safely for the holidays," she said. But, she did happen to wish for a few items of the sparkling variety.

"Of course, jewelry is always a good option," she added with a grin.

Velvet boxes with tiny surprises inside made the holiday brighter for Ironton residents Amy Nance and Carla Blankenship.

"Diamonds," they said in unison, smiling widely. They are, after all, a girl’s best friend.

Ironton city engineer Joe McCallister had two wishes for this holiday season.

"If it is a wish for the city, I’d say 1,000 jobs," McCallister said. "But if it’s a wish at home, I’d say a parcel of land to build my house on."

Wishes for an end to violence and hostility topped the list for Symmes Valley Multi-Level School Principal Bob Harris.

"I guess my wish is just for peace and tranquility throughout the world," he said.

In Coal Grove, resident Ralph Peters said he doesn’t make out a wish list anymore. Not one for himself, anyway.

"The only gift I (wanted) this year is for my kids to have the best Christmas in the world," he said. Not even the limited supply of this season’s hottest toys, however, stopped St. Nicholas from filling that tall order.

And, with the holidays over for another year, the bright shining faces of his children on Christmas morning was the best gift he could have received, Peters said.

"They’re great kids," he said. "They deserve to have a great Christmas."

Not all county adults left behind the childhood dream of a stocking stuffed to overflowing with magical toys.

Ironton resident Jack Dennin said his Christmas was made a little brighter with a toy bearing his name.

"I still like toys," he said with a smile. "I don’t know about a wish list, but I do like surprises."

Although the holidays have ended, Ironton Mayor Bob Cleary will continue to wish for faith and strength to fill the hearts of the city’s residents.

"With all the heartache that has come to so many people with all the loss of jobs, I just hope that their faith will stand strong and that they will find peace and happiness this season," Cleary said. "With God’s help and with faith, all things are possible. I just hope the best for the families and the community in the coming year."

Rather than gifts for herself, Susie Ramey of Ironton always likes to see surprises for children who don’t have much to look forward to on Christmas Day. Her wish is that these children found special presents from Santa under their trees.

"I hope all the children that don’t have anything get things for Christmas," she said. "But for me, I always like antiques or anything Coca Cola."

If Santa checked his list twice this year, he knew South Point resident Anna Gullett might not have been all that good for each of the 365 days since last Christmas – a fact Mrs. Gullet admited with a laugh.

But, that won’t stop a digital camera from being a main gift - even if it is a little late, she added.

"I probably haven’t been good all year, but it (doesn’t) matter," Mrs. Gullett said. "If I want it and I don’t get it, well, I just go out and buy it myself." It’s a good thing the after-Christmas sales are in full swing.

One more post-Christmas wish will remain on the mind of Ironton resident Lorene Palmer. She said she’d rather see county residents receive a different fulfillment – not just at Christmas – but all year long.

"My one wish is for all those who are lost without Christ to find the Lord," she said.