It’s a tradition to invoke Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” in imbuing the season with what should be the real meaning of the holidays. Who doesn’t enjoy Dickens’ timeless tale about the transformation of the miserly and miserable Ebenezer Scrooge into a kinder, gentler and — in the end — happier man? Wow. Talk about character arc.

I’m no less envious of Dickens’ talent, including his opening line: “Marley was dead to begin with.” Challenged to invent a holiday story for a writers critique group in which
I participate, I was inspired to mash together the work of Dickens and Raymond Chandler, the mystery novelist whose books featured the private eye Philip Marlowe. My opening line? “Marlowe was dead to begin with.” But I digress.

My point is this: I’m a lot like Scrooge. Not the avaricious recluse at the beginning of the story, mind you. But the benevolent extrovert made so by the spirit of the holidays. Maybe I’m either hopelessly naive or naively hopeful, but I believe Christmas affects most people that way. They’re more giving, more sociable and more cheerful. We all could all use more of that, couldn’t we?

While the ghosts of Christmas transformed Scrooge in one night, it’s more of an ongoing process for this newspaper curmudgeon. I’m grateful year-round for the things I get to do. To work in print journalism with real print — and, I contend, real journalism. To meet remarkable people who trust me to tell their remarkable stories. Best of all, to work with some amazing people.

That starts with my boss, Craig Hall. He ably handles advertising to keep me walled off from that part of business. Moreover, he affords me nearly unbridled freedom to pursue my part of the business.

I’m giddy anew with each issue the opportunity to share the advice and expertise of contributors who so generously share their time and talents. They include Janet Arrowood, Dalida Bollig, Tim Haggerty, Dean Harris, Phyllis Hunsinger, Paula Reece, Marcus Straub and Jenny Yeager. That’s not to mention contributors with Bray & Co.,  DWC CPAs and Advisors, Lighthouse HR Support and Mesa County Public Health.

Kitty Nicholason builds many of the ads that appear in the Business Times. Rob Sperry and the team at Colorado Mountain News Media print the paper. Alowetta and Marc Terrien conjure the excellent Business Times website out of Thin Air.

None of it would be possible, though, were it not for the businesses and organizations that advertise in the Business Times. Their support has never been more important — or, for that matter, more appreciated.

The most important people of all involved in this process? Readers, of course.
Those who carve time out of hectic schedules to read what appears on pages and the website. You’re the reason I do what I do.

So to co-workers, contributors, advertisers and readers, I wish you all a happy Christmas. To steal another line from Dickens: God bless us, every one.

Phil Castle is editor of the Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or phil@thebusinesstimes.com.