If we could come up with one reason to be thankful for each day of November — up to and including Thanksgiving — in 2020, we certainly can do so in 2021.
Complaints seem to be in abundant supply this year. But if we stop, take a breath and look around, there are so many reasons to be grateful.
1. anyone who passed out full-sized candy bars yesterday
2. the coaches and parents who support the dozens of athletes on the girls tennis, girls swimming and boys and girls cross county teams at Hinsdale Central High School, all of which placed in the top three at IHSA state meets (with tennis taking home the title!) this fall
3. staff members at Amita Adventist Hinsdale Hospital and other health care workers for their care of COVID-19 and other patients today and every day
4. Bret Conway, Lex Silberberg, Kelly Abate Kallas, John Bourjaily, Lisa Seplak, Mistie Lucht, William Barre and Isabella Terry — our wonderful group of contributing columnists — who volunteer their time to craft pieces that make us laugh, cry and think
5. Hinsdale police, who work 24/7 to keep the community safe and to pursue those who choose to commit crimes in this community. We know police would be grateful if residents would reduce the opportunities for crime by locking their cars and removing the key fobs.
6. contributors to the Windhover restoration fund, who are helping to revitalize the nationally significant sculpture owned by Community Consolidated Elementary District 181
7. Hinsdale Historical Society volunteers who worked to make sure the Bagley House at 121 S. County Line Road was not demolished and who organized an open house for residents to tour the home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. We are especially grateful to Wright enthusiasts Safina Uberoi and Lukas Ruecker for purchasing the home.
8. a high temp of 66 degrees and several days of above average temperatures
9. the teachers who overcame extraordinary obstacles this past year and a half to keep students engaged in learning, whether kids were sitting in the classroom or sitting in their bedrooms on Zoom.
10. the inflatable turkeys that make us smile each time we drive or walk past
11. the veterans who served this country — and the family and friends who sent in photos so we could recognize and thank them in our Veterans Day special section
12. the priests, pastors and ministers who remind us year-round of the importance of giving thanks
13. residents who are choosing to shop local for all of their holiday gifts
14. members of the Hinsdale Fire Department, who risk their lives to save the lives of others
15. board members for Community Consolidated Elementary District 181, the Village of Hinsdale, the Hinsdale Public Library and Hinsdale High School District 86, who give up their evenings once or twice a month for meetings and who spend countless hours in between reading board materials and talking to residents about the issues that matter to them
16. the readers and advertisers who have supported us for more than 15 years. We couldn’t do it without you.
17. District 86 Superintendent Tammy Prentiss and other administrators for organizing a COVID-19 booster clinic, the third vaccination clinic the district has sponsored to give students, teachers and community members an opportunity to get their first and second vaccines and now boosters
18. The invaluable input from Ben Bradley, Rich Ciccarone, Bill Facinelli, Denise Joyce, Eileen Sachanda, Leslie Savickas, Lynn Walsh and Christine Winter, members of The Hinsdalean’s Reader Advisory Board
19. state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi for hosting a mobile driver services program in Westmont to make it easier for her constituents to renew their drivers license, state ID card or vehicle stickers
20. The Thanksgiving dinners — complete with turkey, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, rice, beans, dessert — HCS Family Services distributed to more than 175 families in need. And the many donors who made the distribution possible.
21. those who will volunteer for the village’s new Show Shoveling Referral Program to lend a hand to residents who need help clearing their driveways and sidewalks this winter
22. folks at the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce, who are working extra hard this short holiday week to make sure merchants have all the supplies they need to welcome customers on Small Business Saturday Nov. 27
23. our friends at the Hinsdale Public Library, who have organized a number of crafts and other surprises to keep kids busy this week while they’re off school
24. frontline employees of restaurants and retail shops, some of whom will be working tomorrow. Between health concerns related to the pandemic, supply chain issues, staffing shortages and sometimes crabby customers, these men and women have a lot on their plate this holiday season.
25. The family and friends with whom we will finally be able to gather around the table to break bread and give thanks. After advice to avoid inviting guests for holidays from Easter to Christmas in 2020, having our loved ones near us this holiday is truly a blessing.
Happy Thanksgiving!
