I have an off-beat sense humor, always finding something funny in just about everything. There are times when a remark strikes me and I just fall apart, like when a congressman recently became a little testy, saying he was getting very tired of people picking on the rich.

I said to Don, “Did you hear that? He is tired of the rich being picked on.” At first I wanted to regurgitate; then it really grabbed me and I went ballistic and could not stop laughing. Imagine that, the poor little billionaires were being picked on. Oh, what a crazy world we live in.

And speaking of the wealthy, how did you like Bank of America’s lovely Christmas gift on your November checking account statement of a $3 service fee added for check imaging. And no red ribbons on it either. I guess the poor CEOs needed a bigger Christmas bonus because of dropping the $5 fee on debit cards, after people protested loudly.

The CEOs must have been sitting around the table when one said, “Hey let’s stick it to everybody on their checking. Heck, some banks are already doing it at a lesser charge. Maybe we can push those old folks into banking electronically, then later charge for that service.” I’m being facetious of course, but plenty goes on in those boardrooms.

Advice: If you have not looked at your new bank statement format, be sure you check every detail for any more surprises. And don’t blame the local bank staff; they just follow policy. Actually, I went to my banker and he canceled future imaging of my checks and the fee. I will just use the paper statement with the written check numbers on it.

I would like to thank all the wonderful people in our community who have gone out of their way to help those in need this holiday season. More than that, thank you for all you have done this entire year.

There is a group of community churches that put on the last Friday of the month free dinner in the Kingston VFW Hall on First Street, at 5:30 p.m.; they deserve a big thank you.  This is not just a meal for those in need, but for the lonely or someone who just wants to visit and socialize a bit to find out what is going on in their town.

Bayside Church, Eglon Community Church, Faith Lutheran, Kingston Christian Church, North Peninsula Unity Church and Redeemer United Methodist, as well as other volunteers, have been trying to get the word out about the dinners they host. Harriet Muhrlein from Redeemer especially has been trying to get the word out.

Anyone caring to donate food or funds to this program I’m sure can contact any one of the churches.

Let’s all try in this New Year to do just a little more for our community. Also, the Kingston food bank in the same VFW Hall will need more help after the holidays.

Don and I wish everyone an Irish “Bliain nua fe mahaise duit” (Gaelic) for a Happy New Year.

— Contact columnist Jacque Thornton at jacquejt@centurytel.net