Dick Hagerty: Gifts are many for those living here

As Christmas approaches and the fancy wrapped gifts pile up under the tree, I am reminded that there are many really special gifts that are much more appreciated than the “things” we will open Christmas Eve.

We actually are seeing the gift of rain this season. And snow in the Sierra. Enough snow to see Dodge Ridge open in time for Thanksgiving weekend and then continue adding more to keep skiers happy throughout the entire holiday season.

The Gallo Center for the Arts is a spectacular gift for our community. Notwithstanding the rather negative column I wrote recently about boorish behavior on the part of some patrons, our arts center is the crown jewel of the area – and we are blessed by the quality of the performances we receive.

In the same breath we must recognize the gift of our venerable State Theatre downtown, which continues to provide entertainment of a slightly different nature – but still high in quality and much appreciated by a large segment of our community.

Our countywide library continues to add services and keep up with its fine collection of books and periodicals. Head librarian Diane McDonnell has recently upgraded the library website, making searches and requests to hold material accessible to all who have access to a computer. The library’s ebook section is one I have used a lot. Since I travel quite a bit, it is so easy to download the three-book limit and have ready access to my latest reading anywhere in the world. That’s especially nice on long airplane trips.

Our previous librarian, Vanessa Czopek, dropped me a note recently from her new home in Tucson, Ariz., and lamented the lack of funding and resources of the library there. That should be a reminder to all of us that an election is coming in the near future to extend the library sales tax, which is such a vital part of sustaining our quality institution.

Another gift for our community is the generous supporters of the arts and charities reaching out to the poor. We lost two giants this year – Bob Piccinini and Carl Boyett – but we are still rich in gracious benefactors.

The annual Thanksgiving meal that Dan and Denise Costa present to 1,000 needy folks is so special. Accompanying that is a six-figure check to further help the efforts of the Salvation Army.

The Gallo family has been instrumental in building and endowing the Modesto Gospel Mission, and no one in our community need go hungry or lack a dry place to sleep with the benefits provided by these wonderful folks.

Many other generous people, too numerous to name, continue to support and encourage the work all year long among our community’s less fortunate.

And how could we overlook the richest gifts any sports lover could possibly desire? Three World Series by the Giants in just five years. A Golden State Warriors team setting NBA records, and right here at home such great high school football success. Setting the gold standard, of course, is the amazing record of the Central Catholic Raiders. Close behind come Oakdale, Sonora and, in recent years, Escalon.

And let us not forget the Modesto Nuts, the favorite team of community columnist Tony Belarmino. They don’t win too often, but they provide a summer filled with fun for baseball fans.

Last but not least on this abbreviated list of gifts is the glorious winter sunshine we have experienced with no dreaded tule fog. If there is a blessing in the midst of global warming, let us make note of and appreciation for winter driving that is far less tense and treacherous without that great gray pall of fog we have learned to endure.

So, enjoy your unwrapped gifts. They come to you free and available; just open your eyes and embrace the quality of life we enjoy here in the northern San Joaquin Valley.

This story was originally published December 21, 2015 at 8:19 AM with the headline "Dick Hagerty: Gifts are many for those living here."