Editorial - November 2003

Thanksgiving 2003

Published November 26, 2003

It’s not hard to be thankful on this Thanksgiving holiday if we focus on our own community.

We can be thankful the economy is perking up after taking so many hits from manufacturing losses. All of the financial reports are upbeat and eventually should translate to a better economy in Lincoln County. More jobs are coming. Retail sales will be higher. The stock market is on the rise. The Associated Press reported Tuesday that the economy roared ahead at an astounding 8.2 percent annual rate in the third quarter, the fastest pace in nearly two decades.

We can be thankful for a community that is spiritually alive and well. Our strong charitable arm is helping a lot of people through Christian Ministry of Lincoln County, Helping Hands, Hospice, the Rotary loan fund, Relay for Life…the list goes on and on. Our churches and institutions are very active and remain extremely important to our families and our community. Today’s YMCA prayer breakfast attracted more than 300 people.

We can be thankful for a community that is growing rapidly, attracting more people, more jobs and, eventually, creating a better economy.

We can be thankful for a community leadership that is providing the schools and the infrastructure needed for this growing population.

Most of all, we can be thankful for those who are gathered around our table on Thanksgiving Day. Unfortunately for some of our families, the chairs around the table won’t all be full because of military assignments related to the war in Iraq. A National Guard unit based in Lincolnton is now on active duty and we can only pray and hope for the safe return of these citizen soldiers.

Most of the time, it’s pretty easy in this community to look around and be thankful.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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