As you join your family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving, I want to wish you a happy and blessed holiday! America remains a country of wonderful opportunity—a source of hope constantly renewed and replenished with our great ideals and values. The cynicism of the moment gives way to this special time to pause and reflect on the graces in our lives. Thanksgiving itself a gift.

Thanksgiving is a relatively new holiday. While the origins are found in the celebration of the pilgrims, President Abraham Lincoln first proclaimed Thanksgiving as a national holiday in 1863. In 1941, Congress established Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November. Of course our tradition has evolved and it also brings the chance to watch a little football and begin our preparations for Christmas! 

As a side note, Small Business Saturday is one way to support our local businesses and by extension our neighborhood economic ecosystem. Small businesses are essential for economic diversity and dynamism as most new jobs are created in the small business sector. One way we can all help our community is to remember the people who make things in America, providing us services and strengthening our country. This year, Small Business Saturday is November 28.  

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving—Go Big Red!