* I’ll be back the Monday after New Year’s Day. Thanks for everything this year. Thanks for subscribing, for reading, for commenting and for just being you.

Thanks again to all those who donated to Lutheran Social Services of Illinois in Wordslinger’s honor. Thanks for donating earlier this year to a college fund for Wordslinger’s daughter. Thanks to everyone who donated to help Heather Whited’s daughter. You folks are truly amazing and I love you.

…Adding… I just looked at the numbers and this blog raised nearly $40,000 in donations this year. Thanks!

…Adding… A more precise total…

More precisely, we've raised $39,689 for worthy causes during 2019. Can we get to an even $40K? This LSSI fundraiser is still active (hint, hint) https://t.co/Vdx3eKq1Yp https://t.co/NwA1hw5Fnz

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) December 22, 2019

…Adding… Can you help reach the goal?…

The magic number is now $141. Can we reach that before Christmas? https://t.co/i68ZYiJ3Wy

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) December 23, 2019

…Adding… We did it! Thanks again, John!…

UPDATE: John Amdor, who was awarded the 2019 Golden Horsehoe for Best Use of Social Media, just made a generous contribution to LSSI and helped https://t.co/qiMpDXTIvZ reach $40,000 in donations to worthy causes this year. Thanks, @JohnAmdor!!! Happy holidays to one and all! https://t.co/yyjhvBwxTk

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) December 23, 2019

…Adding… I almost forgot to say thanks to everyone who helped Greta Lindall with her school science project. She and her project partner Orla Byrley have advanced to the area competition. Congratulations to both! After that, it’ll be the city and then the state competition, so keep your fingers crossed!

* The 2019 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Use Of Social Media goes to John Amdor…

John Amdor and it isn’t even close. He literally goes through old debate transcripts in order to find funny moments to share on twitter. Plus: Rob the Dog, videos of cars driving in bike lanes, and genuinely insightful and humorous takes on whatever is going on. The man is a must follow. He even commented on this thread - that’s how prolific he is.

Not to mention the never-ending saga of his stolen recycling bins. Dude is an Illinois treasure and he’s not even from here.

Runner-up goes to Tina Sfondeles of the Sun-Times…

Every time I pass by a construction site, I think about her Men Watching Construction and have to laugh!

Aside from that, she has THE CUTEST cat and this is coming from a dog person!

* We’ll close out the year with our traditional holiday videos that my mom loves. Suzy Snowflake…

Hardrock, Coco and Joe…

And Frosty the Snowman…