Here comes the holiday shopping season, and we are ready to embrace the opportunity to celebrate with the spirit enthusiasm and optimism, in spite of the trials and tribulations we have all faced in the past several months.

We know how to lift ourselves, to rise to the occasion and make the most of what we have, in spite of whatever challenges may confront us.

The upcoming holidays provide us with the opportunity to share our bounty and to take stock in all the good things that life here has to offer.

We know that prosperity of spirit is far more important than the material wealth that may elude us from time to time. It may sound trite, but when you really think about it seriously the truth of it becomes clear.

“Local First” applies to our friends, families, and the occasional stranger as much as it does to our local economy. It’s a time to be a little kinder, and a little gentler with one another, as well as help local business to both survive and thrive.

We are certain that the rewards to be gained from this will soften the effects of whatever excesses we may experience along the way.

After all the difficulties that local businesses have faced lately, we owe it to them to give as much trade to them as we can, to help them weather the storm and pull through as we head into the new year.

Better times are coming as we begin to see the end of the pandemic, and we all want our favorite business establishments carry on and be here for us for years to come. And for that you know what to do.