In keeping with the holiday spirit, or the lack thereof for some folks, this look back at the week’s news features cheers and — instead of jeers — lumps of coal.

Cheers to the kind-hearted if anonymous donors who paid off dozens of layaway tabs Wednesday at the Kmart in Auburn. The donors paid off accounts that had children’s toys and clothing items on them. It’s clear that for many families, the money to clear those bills before Christmas was not happening, but thanks to the kindness of strangers, there will be presents under trees for these kids. That’s the true spirit of the season. Goodwill toward men, and especially kids.

A big old lump of coal to the FedEx delivery driver in California who was caught tossing a package, with a computer monitor in it, over a fence at its delivery destination.

And true to the holiday song — “He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake … ” — a home-security video camera caught the dirty deed, which was then shared across the Web via YouTube.

We’re pretty sure FedEx as a company doesn’t approve. Officials told CNN this naughty little elf was going to be disciplined — as well he should. But we’re throwing in a lump of coal for good measure.

Cheers to all of the region’s volunteer rescue workers and firefighters. For many, this part-time job is just that. But, on Wednesday, when a nasty mix of weather created treacherous road conditions, black ice developed and our volunteers and professional firefighters, police officers and rescue workers were called to incident after incident, mishap after mishap. Here’s to a quiet holiday for these dedicated individuals who truly give to their communities all year long.

And speaking of weather, a big lump of coal in Mother Nature’s stocking. Sure ,some of us are loving playing golf in December and we may be saving a little on heating costs, but it’s winter now and a big part of Maine’s tourism economy depends on snow — not cold rain, not sleet, not ice — snow.

While our downhill ski resorts are able to make snow, those who prefer cross-country skiing or snowmobiling are steadily getting worried that winter might never come. Let’s hope it does, and soon.

Cheers to our own now-famous beer entrepreneur Luke Livingston, the CEO of Baxter Brewing in Lewiston, and an Auburn native. Livingston was heralded by Forbes Magazine earlier this week.

At 27, he was named to the business magazine’s 30 under 30 in the food and wine category.

Many have long said they would like to see the old mills in Lewiston be used to make things again. Baxter’s canned beers are indeed something nice; even nicer is Livingston’s sentiment for staying where he is and expanding.

“We’re not leaving the mill,” he told the Sun Journal. “We’re there for good.”

We’ll drink to that.

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The opinions expressed in this column reflect the views of the ownership and editorial board.