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| Time is here to give thanks |
When you read this it will be only one week until we celebrate Thanksgiving. So it’s time to get organized for the feast (or rather for preparation for the feast). And, in doing so, how about if we also think about the many things for which we are grateful? Let’s all start to give thanks now and not wait for the one day set aside each year for that purpose.Do you have any certain traditions that you always observe on Thanksgiving? Visit someone? Have guests in? Watch a sports event? Prepare a family food specialty that everybody loves? Play games? Play cards? What is it that you and your friends or family do to make the day a special occasion? Let me know by e-mailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Next week I’ll recount some of your stories. Don’t forget that the traditional community Thanksgiving meal will be served again this year in the Fellowship Hall of Trinity United Methodist Church on the corner of Second and Adams streets in Port Clinton. The public is invited. There is no set charge but you may make a donation if you wish. Turkey with all the trimmings and homemade pies for dessert are always on the menu. Lots of single folks who would otherwise be alone like to attend but families enjoy the celebration, too, because it means no one has to cook. Donations of pies and volunteers who will help are always appreciated. Call the church office at 419-732-3161 if you can assist in this annual activity. As I write late on Sunday evening, Nov. 15, we have had another glorious day. It was joyful to be outside without a coat again. And we are already at the midway point of November. Two days ago I picked these flowers from my garden beds: one single pink rose bud, a couple of stems of cosmos in shades of lavender, double petunias (purple ones) and several colors of Bachelor Buttons. Put together they made a couple lovely arrangements for inside the house. I did not cut the flowering quince blossoms. But I had several stems of that in good bloom. I also had some nice cabbage just right for picking and wonderful parsley — the second great round of it this year. Little by little I’ve pulled plants up from the garden. But, overall, the blooms have lasted longer this year than I ever remember before. And I’ve truly enjoyed the autumn and the joy it has brought. Annie Parker e-mailed from Put-in-Bay to comment on the weather. She says the Farmers Almanac indicates it’s going to be a bitterly cold winter. (Better get out your Snuggies!) However, the U.S. Weather Service is predicting a mild winter because of El Nino formations in the Pacific Ocean. So — which source do we believe? My guess is that it will be very cold! Apparently both sources agree that next summer’s temperatures will be extremely hot. I attended a church service at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at Tiffin today. It’s a beautiful, old and massive building. The interior is lovely with a Victorian style flowered carpet in the vestibule and running up a couple of handsome staircases. It also has a very high ceiling. Stained glass windows, set in pairs, are tall and narrow — just right for the architecture of the space. Centered in the sanctuary ceiling is a wonderful light fixture called “The Edison Chandelier.” This is a large ornate brass ornament. The church is famous historically. It was the first public building in the United States to be wired for electricity while under construction. And apparently it was the first building in the world to be illuminated with a light bulb (an invention of Thomas Edison). I was told that the building has a plaque outside commemorating it as a “National Historic Site.” (I did not see the plaque; I’ll look for it next time.) I had the opportunity to take canned and other non-perishable food items to the Salvation Army last week. My church circle held a collection over the last three meetings. Executive Director Maureen Saponari immediately began putting these items out on her almost empty shelves, saying they were badly needed. I also had a donation from the circle with instructions to use it in whatever manner she saw fit. Maureen instantly said she needed it for coats. She had a few adult coats on hand but would use the money for kids’ coats. As soon as she gets them in, they are distributed for children. Please give whatever you can to the Salvation Army. My suggestion is to take or mail your contributions directly to the office here in Port Clinton. Bell-ringers are needed for the Red Kettle campaign. Christmas time is coming. Many folks will need food and children will also need coats and gifts to make the day a little brighter. Almost all of us can do something to help and I hope we all will do that. I know some folks who went to the Ida Rupp Library last Friday night to enjoy the “Cinema Arts” series sponsored by the Friends of the Library group. The group had an enjoyable time (and it was free of charge). For a listing of the movies coming up, call or stop in at the library. Don’t forget that the Ohio Chautauqua will begin commemorating the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War (1861). The Ohio Humanities Counsel is seeking performers who will portray historical characters from that era in presentations around the state. You’ll need to have several items prepared if you want to apply so it would be best to get started planning now. A 500-word essay and a description of the character you’ve chosen to represent as well as a 20-minute video tape are necessities. Deadline is April 1. Send questions to Ohio Humanities Council, 471 E. Broad St., Suite 1620, Columbus, OH 43215. Fran at 800-293-9774 can answer any questions you may have. Fran can also give information to communities who want to host a performance. The community will need to provide a place for a big tent, volunteers, local plans and a participation fee. Applications for hosting the Chautauqua must be in by Jan. 31. Here are a couple of quotes about maintaining a positive attitude: From Eleanor Roosevelt: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” From Charles Swindoll: “The remarkable thing is that we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is to play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude …” From an unknown source: “Pain is temporary. Pride is forever.” From William Arthur Ward: “If you can imagine it, you can create it. If you can dream it, you can become it.” From Dr Seuss: “Be who you are and say what you feel. Those who mind don’t matter. And those who matter don’t mind.” And here is one of my favorites from a fellow who was a very special friend of mine. Gene Graves practiced law in Ottawa County during his entire career. Once, in a particularly bad moment of my life, he said to me: “Remember, Ginny, winning isn’t final and losing isn’t fatal.” Oh, how right he was. About attitudes: As we approach Thanksgiving, I’ll write more about an Attitude of Gratitude” in next week’s column. Until then …
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