Editorials

Thirty-five years ago, a group of Fayette County Health Department employees banded together to make Christmas a little brighter for six local families.
That special holiday program quickly grew into Fayette County Caring & Sharing, which has for several decades provided Christmas baskets for more than 400 less-fortunate families in the county.
In its early years, all of those Christmas baskets were distributed at Mother of Dolors Catholic Church in Vandalia. Today, that church’s parish center is just one of a handful of distribution sites.

This time of year, we’re reminded of why we love living in a small community.
There are parades, church programs, school performances, community events and, of course, the general hustle and bustle of holiday shopping.
The beauty of those events in a small town is that we know many of the people involved. We see our friends and neighbors at the events. And we marvel at the talents displayed our young people at the band and choral concerts.

Each year, Thanksgiving offers us a choice. Do we truly give thanks? Or do we simply go through the holiday motions?
It’s easy to put things on autopilot – gathering with family, gorging ourselves on holiday goodies and lounging in front of endless football games?
But does that really move us in directions that this uniquely American holiday should? Do we ever consider those things for which we should be deeply thankful? If not, how can we move ourselves in that direction?

For nearly a century, Americans have paused on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to honor and thank the nation’s military personnel for their sacrifices to preserve our freedom.
Friday is that day.
We join with citizens all across the United States in saying thanks to our veterans. Their unselfish service to our country – in times of conflict as well as peace – has kept our military presence strong and our nation free.