Daily Dirt: Santa Steve spreads good cheer — and presents — throughout the Muddy River News coverage area

Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin? In the lane, snow is glistenin’ … welcome to Vol. 146 of the Daily Dirt. Today is a special holiday edition!

Ho! Ho! Ho!Santa Steve has arrived a few days early to hand out his Christmas gifts to one and all in the Muddy River News coverage area. Here’s a sampling of his giving spirit:

Jeff Gschwender, Hannibal football coach: A victory in Saturday’s Class 4 state championship game against Smithville. Hannibal is one of the most exciting offensive teams that Santa Steve has seen in 50 years of covering high school sports.

Roberto Stellino and Ilija Cucuk, owners of Tiramisu restaurant: Another successful year for their Italian cuisine-themed eatery in downtown Quincy that makes every serving much more than a meal. It’s an adventure in taste.

Jim Lieurance, new operator of Quincy Raceways: Good weather and good luck when the Broadway Bullring reopens next spring.

The Rev. Chuck Sackett: Plenty of time to walk his favorite dog. Chuck retired recently from his pastoral duties at Madison Park Christian Church. You’ll never meet a nicer guy.

Jamie Adam, recent graduate of Blessing-Rieman School of Nursing: Some frequent flyer miles for Jamie, who hopes to travel the nation utilizing her nursing talents. We know she’ll be a huge success. 

Chris Duerr, KHQA sports anchor: Some much-needed down time for the area’s busiest sportscaster, who has mastered the art of being at multiple sites at once. Much like Paul Shaffer, Chris is the hardest-working man in show business.

Alta King, Quincy Art Center development coordinator: Ten classic rock albums of her choice. The only thing Alta loves more than her job is her pastime, which is listening to those classic rock collections and attending concerts.

Ellen Duffy-Gough: The woman is a saint, and should be rewarded. Here’s hoping her husband, J. Robert, takes her to a night out at Tiramisu — before he begins another weekend of Strat-O-Matic baseball.

Pat Atwell, athletic director at Culver-Stockton College: A playoff berth for the 2022 Culver-Stockton football team.

John Potts, traveler extraordinaire: An Eskimo Pie ice cream bar for the man who recently returned from balmy Anchorage, Alaska.

Melissa Hess: A date with Cole Hauser, who portrays Rip Wheeler on “Yellowstone”.

Sarah Ginster-Cain: A picture of Cole Hauser, who portrays Rip Wheeler on “Yellowstone”. Sarah’s married, so I assume her husband, Elvis, would not want her going out on a date with Rip.

Keith Pratt, former late model driver: A new hot rod so he can come out of retirement in time for the re-opening of Quincy Raceways.

Tony Dunker, former modified driver: Ditto.

Steve Stewart, manager of the Quincy Staples office supply store: A Stanley Cup for the St. Louis Blues.

Stacey O’Brien, wife extraordinaire: A self-help column (“Ask Stacey”???) presented on various forms of social media that allows her to share advice on all sorts of subjects. The lady has a gift.

Frank Cash, Unity High School athletic director: A 2022 football season that is pandemic free for the Mustangs.

Mike Elbe, president of John Wood Community College: A lifetime gift certificate to the Paloma Diner.

Don Crim, retired executive editor of The Herald-Whig and unofficial club pro at Cedar Crest Country Club: An analyst’s job on the Golf Channel 

Rick Putnam, manager of the Quincy Buffalo Wild Wings: The ability to add ice-cream novelties to an already power-packed menu.

Matt Schuckman, sports editor of the Muddy River News: A return to glory for his beloved El Birdos. Spring training is only weeks away! Also, a better year health-wise in 2022.

Steve Eighinger writes for Muddy River News. He has a son-in-law named Elvis.