Many years ago, people from different groups sat down together to enjoy a bountiful harvest and fellowship.
Although times have changed, families will again sit down together this Thanksgiving.
Many will reflect on the past year and of years gone by. The laughter and sometimes the tears are recalled once again.
Each year, the holidays find some without a family or without enough food to enjoy. The People-Sentinel urges readers to invite someone - a co-worker, a friend -  to join in their families’ celebration this year. Spread the joy, spread the love. Give thanks for those in life who are most precious.
We as a community, give thanks for those who have created jobs in our area this year. We give thanks because those jobs will enable families to enjoy financially brighter holidays for the coming year.
We give thanks for those small businesses that have struggled through the last few years and made it through.
Thanksgiving has become as much about “Black Friday” as it has about giving thanks.
It seems each year Christmas decorations start to fill the isles earlier and earlier.
The actual holidays of Halloween and Thanksgiving tend to get lost. They are overshadowed by the commercial aspects and anticipations of Christmas.
Before you shop, take time to give thanks.
This year, residents across the country are being asked to participate in a second annual event to support small businesses - Small Business Saturday.
The concept was created in 2010 by American Express as a response to small business owners’ most pressing need: more demand for their products and services.
Last year, 130 small business advocate groups, public and private organizations and elected officials joined American Express in declaring the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday. The numbers are expected to grow for 2011.
Small Business Saturday was planted directly between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, giving it a direct appeal to shoppers of the holiday weekend.
The People-Sentinel urges residents to always think of the small businesses first when shopping whether it is for the long Christmas lists or a birthday gift throughout the year.
Businesses in Barnwell County have held on throughout the tough last few years and they deserve a larger portion of our shopping dollars.
Although the allure of the “huge” sales linger in the shopping world, local businesses are here with deals throughout the year. You will also save on gasoline and stress.
As the family sits down to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal and perhaps talk about what is on everyone’s Christmas lists, remember to plan time not just this Saturday for shopping locally but plan to make a more conscious effort to shop locally throughout the year.
Show how thankful Barnwell shoppers are for those small business treasures we have.
Here’s to a Happy Thanksgiving for all!