Thanksgiving is upon us on Thursday, and with that annual holiday comes any number of family traditions. No matter how "Turkey Day" (not to be confused with anything involving Paycheck and Ruby Begonia) is observed each year -- from having a relative's delicious pumpkin pie to gathering a multitude of loved ones together to watching the Detroit Lions lose yet another NFL game -- it's often a day of relaxation (except for the ones doing the cooking!) and, of course, expressing gratitude.
There are plenty of things we can be thankful for, as a region, this Thanksgiving. A few high-profile newsmaking events come to mind that are indicative of how good-hearted the people of this area can be.
The tremendous support that has made two Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight trips possible this year should make each of us a little proud, and the "Wilmont Remembers" event that brought plenty of people -- and healing -- to a community marred by tragedy 50 years ago also sticks out. Many have assisted in contributing to the medical expenses of the family of Ben Cunningham, the Round Lake teen seriously injured in a car accident this August. And the Nobles County Relay For Life set a record for fundraising this summer.
There's more of this kind of giving, to be sure, that goes on every day in Worthington, not to mention elsewhere. Our people help needy individuals and nonprofit organizations that serve them in a myriad of ways: examples of this include two local food pantries, United Way of Nobles County and the annual Operation Round Up coordinated by Federated Rural Electric. And then there's the Christmas season, which lends itself to further opportunities to give for the benefit of others.
This Thanksgiving, let's be thankful that we live in a place with so many opportunities to help our neighbors -- and that we live among so many who choose to do so.
