Quotables

"The last time I checked, the first six letters of Christmas still spell out Christ."

Paul Braoudakis, spokesman for the Barrington, Ill.-based Willow Creek Association, on Chicago officials' request to organizers of a downtown Christmas festival that they drop New Line Cinema as a sponsor because the studio planned to advertise its movie The Nativity Scene. Officials feared the ads might offend non-Christians.

"I am so thankful that someone decided to give us a break."

Stanley Goldenberg, a researcher for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, on the mild hurricane season that ended last week.

"It's as if they are finding out about the fifth Beatle for the first time."

Dorothy Bush Koch, sister of President Bush, on the reaction she gets when people learn that Mr. Bush and brothers Jeb, Neil, and Marvin have a sister. Koch's book, My Father, My President: A Personal Account of the Life of George H.W. Bush, was published in October.

"Perfect doesn't exist."

Elinor Coleman, 94, of Bristow, Okla., on whether her 77-year marriage to husband Gene has been perfect. "When we got married, people got married to be married," she said. "They made a vow, 'Until death do us part,' and we didn't feel like we would break that vow." The couple celebrated their 77th anniversary on Nov. 28, and officials believe their marriage may be Oklahoma's longest.