It is my hope that everyone had or has a beautiful and blessed thanksgiving celebration. Each of us has much to be thankful for, regardless of our present circumstances, it could always be worse. Sometimes it’s not our circumstances that must change, but our outlook. For as the old saying goes “You don’t have to look far to find someone who would love to have your problems.”

Over the years Thanksgiving has been overlooked because retailers have been focused on promoting the Christmas sales season. Sure presents are nice, but you’ll be much happier if you realize the quantity, size or cost of the presents will not make for a better Christmas. Christmas is about love, peace, and hope shared with one another, especially our family, friends and relatives. Perhaps we will figure that out before our wallets have to remind us.

Nonetheless, today is “Black Friday” and by the time most of us begin to read the newspaper the bargain hunters and thrill seeking shoppers are returning. This weekend The House of Flowers’ holds its Christmas Open House, in conjunction with Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Perhaps I’ll see you and hear of your exciting early morning shopping tales.

The Versailles Museum will be open this Sunday, November 25th from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. This will be the kick off to new displays such as “Rock-in Around the Christmas Tree… a Tribute the Christmas in the 50’s”.

Mark your calendar for next Sunday December 2, for the “Organ by Candlelight” instrumental program at Trinity Lutheran Church at 7:00 p.m. This free concert event is an outreach project of Trinity’s Worship & Music Committee.

Healing prayers and get well wishes to Carol Schuh, Donna Petitjean, Janice Dirksen, Bob Grilliot, Ann George Wehrley, Alice Broering, Rusty Whittaker, Jerry Stammen, Donna Francis, Tom Henry, Sandy DeLaet, Denny Petitjean, Jerry Paulus, as well as those in need that are not mentioned by name.

Happy Birthday wishes to Chastity Rinderle, Deb Stewart, Amanda Milbourne, Denise Ruhenkamp, Scott Monnin, Joe Hernandez, Marcia Davidson, Barb Marshal, Toni Schafer, Pam Groff, Rachel Schmitmeyer, Pat Dieringer, Monica Knapke, and Tom Petitjean. Happy anniversary wishes to Mallory & Ben Schmitmeyer (5), Donna & Russ Francis (16), Barb & Bede Monnin, and Rosemary & Jerry Paulus (57)

Hello to Chris Brunswick, Melinda Stewart, Karen May, Brad Yerick, Kathy & Homer Gehret, Kevin Grillot, Monica Schlecty, Jenni Paulus, Carol & Roger Frey, Larry Simmons, Ralph Kunk, Sharon Groff, Chris Chrisman, Rosemary Nisonger, Kathy Marotta, and Marvin Keller.

My heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of Helen Bruner Brown, Margaret Bixler, Carol Bundschuh, also remembering the lives of Joe Vencill, Norman Gigandet, Ruth Marshal and Laveda Payne as the anniversary of their departure from this world approaches.

May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey plump, May your potatoes and gravy

have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious

and your pies take the prize, and may your Thanksgiving dinner

stay off your thighs!

–Unknown

“The best things in life aren’t things” ~Unknown

“Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.”~Unknown

Kathy Magoto is a volunteer citizen columnist, who serves Daily Advocate readers weekly with her weekly Versailles community column. She can be reached at magmon1@embarqmail.com or at 526-3798. Feel free to contact her with Versailles news and tidbits. Viewpoints expressed in these opinion pieces are the work of the author. The Daily Advocate does not endorse these viewpoints or the independent activities of the author.