Hello again from Mayor Kim Johnson.

Thanksgiving is next week and it’s the time to be intentionally thankful for so many blessings we have living in our community of West Bend. I want you to picture being a young child making your first construction paper turkey with colorful paper feathers that you cut out and glued to the body of your turkey. If you were really ‘artsy’ you may have also added feathery cuts along the feathers. Your teacher probably had you write what you were thankful for on each of the turkey feathers. That is how my article will unfold for this month.

The first feather might be blue and it would say ‘Thankful for small businesses and our Chamber of Commerce’. On Saturday, November 30, it is Small Business Saturday which was founded by American Express in 2010. Please get out and support all of the wonderful small town businesses that we have in our community. I was shopping this past weekend at the holiday open houses and had quick conversation with Marlene Banwart at Ellie’s. We both agreed that we are so fortunate to have such a vibrant community filled with awesome small businesses. I had the pleasure of attending a Chamber meeting a few weeks ago and it was so informational. Wow, this organization does SO MUCH for our community and for that, I am so thankful.

The next feather would be purple and this one would say ‘Thankful for the Wolverine Den’. Did you know that at this time our community daycare serves approximately 20 families. Now that doesn’t seem like a lot but if you think about how many in-home daycare providers would have to licensed or have daycare in their homes to accommodate these 20 families, I think it would be impossible with the current daycare shortage. We are so blessed to have a community daycare in our town. If you see a daycare staff person or daycare board member out and about, please take time to say ‘thank you’ for their commitment to our children and families. I would be remiss if I also didn’t thank all the in home daycare providers that have opened their homes and hearts to our many families over the years.

My third feather would definitely be red and on this one I would write ‘Thankful for our volunteer fire department.’ These firefighters do so much more than answering fire and emergency calls. I had the pleasure of chatting with Firefighters Mark Laubenthal, Ed Montag and Don Thul and learned so much about this community volunteer position. Our fire department has over 20 community minded men who give us time from their families, friends and employment They teach fire safety for our students during Fire Prevention Month in October. We always look forward to our fire trucks leading our various parades as well as being in charge of the kids water fight for our July 4th celebration. Time is given to host fundraising breakfast(s) or supper(s). Our firefighters also do not just stay ‘in town’. With their expertise in using the jaws of life, their expertise is used in and out of our county. Meeting twice a month enables our community to have a well run department that is well trained. I wanted to share a photo that was forwarded to me that highlights the continued support firefighters sometimes give to the families they have helped. In September our fire department was called to help with a house explosion but then some of them continued to take their time to attend a fundraiser for this family. We are thankful for our volunteer fire department. Please be looking for the annual fundraiser flyer that will be mailed to us. I ask you to share a bit of your thankfulness with a donation.

My fourth feather might be orange to say I’m ‘Thankful for family and friends’. I am very thankful for my family and my very dear friends I have made over the years in West Bend. I won’t be able to be with my daughters for Thanksgiving this year as they have their own plans now but will hold them close to my heart. I always enjoy celebrating friendships in various ways, from a smile, to a hug to a supper invite to my house. Be thankful for friends. Be thankful for family, near and far.

So if you were to make your paper turkey, what might you write on each feather that would represent your thankfulness? I pray that you all have a blessed Thanksgiving with safe travels if you are going out of town. As always, if there is anything you would like me to be doing as your mayor, please reach out. Be assured that there is no cost for this column. We are very fortunate to still have an actual newspaper that serves our community. Feel free to contact me at any time at my email
(kjkimtalk2@gmail.com) or you can reach me by phone at 320-241-4770.