Dear Neighbors,
Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving! This time of year, I always think back to the First Thanksgiving Proclamation from President Lincoln, written during the Civil War. It’s so beautifully written, and still rings true today. Here’s an excerpt:
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea, and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that, while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation, and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union.
If you’re interested, here’s a link to the full Proclamation.
In these troubling times, it is easy to lose sight of the blessings we have been given. Occasionally, I take the time to make a list of what I am thankful for. Most of the things on this list are not THINGS at all. They are relationships - the love of family and friends, the beauty of creation, the sound of laughter. This forces me to stop looking around me at my circumstances and to look up, to my gracious and loving Creator, for Whom and to Whom, I have much for which to be thankful.
Local Events
There’s a public informational meeting on the proposed remediation work at the Waste Disposal Engineering Landfill on November 29, 2017, from 7-9PM at Andover City Hall. Every Andover resident should have received notice of this meeting, but in case you missed it, I wanted to let you know.
The holidays are a great time to take part in some of the fun family events in our area. Coming up after Thanksgiving weekend is Ice Skating With Santa on Sunday, December 3. This event is at the Andover Community Center from 3:30-5. Click here for more information.
The following weekend is the 10th Annual Carousel Christmas Craft & Gift Show, also at the Andover Community Center. This is the perfect place to get some of your Christmas shopping done, and support your neighbors. Here is a link with more specifics.
Lastly, don’t forget about the 2017 Coon Rapids Holiday Lighting Contest. Every year, we see such amazing displays and it’s so much fun to drive around to see the creativity. Get your lights up this weekend when the weather's still nice!
Please Contact Me
As always, please call or email my office if I can help you with anything.
May you have a Blessed Thanksgiving,
Peggy