Happy New Year!!!

To one and all and you and yours, a very Happy New Year and welcome to the year 2002.

This past weekend, I spent the Christmas Holiday with my daughter Teri and her wonderful husband Steve at their place in Virginia. We exchanged gifts and shared what most families in America do, a wonderful get together and lots of love.

I got a lot of new information on the Old West in the form of books and some on wrestling as well. I also got some new games for my computer as well as a PC Camera so that I can now see people on the Internet as well as talk to them. I also got a new pair of Dan Post Cowboy boots that I am breaking in for the trip to Las Vegas. Santa was pretty good to me.

Nancy got a lot of new things as well. I bought her a pair of sheepskin boots for her trip to Salt Lake City in February. I also got her a new gold necklace with a diamond pendant in it. As if she needed something to remember me with.... We will celebrate our 31st anniversary on the 9th of January.

Teri had the best Christmas so far with all her gifts, and Steve didn't do too bad himself. My trunk and back seat were both full of presents for them and the Minnicks. We enjoy doing for others in the joy it brings to them.

We had the pleasure of going to Maryland, where Steve's parents live. They have recently moved to the outlying reaches of city life into a beautiful house that took my breath away once I saw it. It sits on a five-acre tract of wooded splendor that has many different kinds of birds and squirrels coming to feed. The interior is done in whites and greens and gives you the essence of natural comfort wherever you go in it.

Tom and Eileen Minnick are wonderful parents that have brought Steve and Lisa up the way that a lot of kids in America could only wish for. Lisa is now in college at Virginia Tech studying to be an engineer. They also have Eileen's father living with them. He is a retired postal worker and full of cheers and smiles every time we get together.

I look forward to next month and the Cauliflower Alley Club Banquet in Las Vegas. It will give me the chance to not only get away for a few days but to also renew friendships from my glorious past. I will be presenting an award to my good friend Juan Hernandez for his involvement in Martial Arts and Wrestling.

I just received a call from Kendra, our three-year-old adopted niece, thanking us for her Christmas present. It did my old heart good to hear the happiness in her voice. That is what makes life so wonderful...money can't buy memories like these.

See you next week.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers