Isn’t it just a glorious time of year? The leaves are turning and the air is fresh. The northers are bringing in cool, crisp breezes to take away some of the heat.
Night comes early and the moon just seems to shine so much brighter in the fall evenings. Sitting out in the moonlight, without the mosquitoes, is such a pleasure. Your body and your mind relax and re-center on peaceful things.
While the days are still filled with activities and obligations, it’s nice to treasure the quiet evenings and just feel the night and absorb the peace.
It’s November, the month of Thanksgiving, and we should each take a moment every day to find one new thing to give thanks for. A moment of peace, a smile on the face of a friend, the traffic light changing to green just when you were about to stop – little things can mean a great deal.
The El Campo Branch Library is helping families in the community and abroad have a good holiday season by participating in the GI Joe & GI Jane Everyday Heroes program with Prosperity Bank.
Patrons are encouraged to bring small toiletry items or hard candy, batteries, note paper or stamps or any small items that can be mailed to our active military personnel. The deadline for donations is Nov. 30.
With the Christmas season coming soon, the library will also be participating in the Adopt-A-Grandparent program. This local organization gathers personal items for people as well as household supplies to be given to those in need.
Personal items can be socks, deodorant, shampoos or soaps as well as toothbrushes and blankets. Household supplies can range from dish soap to bath towels and anything one might need in the home.
This group, along with many volunteers, gathers the items and packages them up to deliver to the housebound seniors as well as nursing home and retirement housing residents for Christmas.
The drop box will be located near the front desk at the El Campo Branch Library. The deadline for this community project is also Nov. 30.
The library’s annual reading program for adults is in full swing. Be sure to drop by the library and sign up for the “Fuel Up and Read” program. Adult patrons read three books checked out from the library and fill them in on their reading chart.
Patrons turn in their completed reading log to the main desk to be entered into a drawing by the end of the day on Dec. 17. Twelve $25 gift cards will be awarded to the lucky winners drawn on Dec. 18. With gift cards, you can “fuel up” your vehicle or your body.
Be sure to stop by the library and enjoy the Annual Christmas Customer Appreciation on Wednesday, Dec. 4. Light refreshments and wassail will be served from 10 a.m. until noon. Everyone is invited to stop in and enjoy the holiday atmosphere.
In the holiday spirit, the library staff will once again be decorating a Christmas tree for the Trim-A-Tree contest that benefits the Blessing Cup Storehouse. While Christmas seems a long way off, the trees will be set up in the El Campo Museum and voting will be in the form of non-perishable food or monetary donations beginning Thanksgiving week.
Voting will close on Dec. 12 and awards will be presented that evening. It is a colorful, fun celebration of Christmas with the true spirit of giving being at the center of the event.
Be kind to yourself and to your neighbors. Thanksgiving is about appreciating the good things in our lives. If you have spare time on Thanksgiving, drop by the El Campo Civic Center and help serve or participate in the wonderful Community Thanksgiving Dinner.
There is always something to be thankful for. The rain as it rejuvenates our surroundings. The sunshine as it helps the plants and yards to flourish. The cold to chase away the bugs and refresh the air around us. Take a moment – breathe deeply.