For whom we give thanks...

Earlier this week, I received a familiar email from my favorite cousin, Judy, (who I have also been blessed to call one of my best friends since we were little girls.)

The email appears below this column, because – whether or not you have read it before- it is worth reading again- especially this week! Matter of fact, I plan to print a copy and put it on our refrigerator as a reminder of that which we should be thankful for year-round- not just one day in November.

  Thanksgiving is our truly  “American” holiday- and it seems most appropriate that we should be giving thanks for the many blessings in our lives. Compared to much of the world’s population, we are so very, very blessed and spoiled!!!  And so often, we all tend to take this for granted.  Our daily routines become so customary, ordinary, that as we wake up in our warm beds, take hot showers, eat from a filled refrigerator on clean plates – (only to often complain about having to wash dishes or something similar), we forget that much of the world’s population is not so fortunate!

As much of America prepare for holiday sales, we need to remember and do something about  the masses whose greatest wish is just for clean water, a home for their children, clothes of any kind to wear…
“Not my problem,” some may say- but I beg to differ.  I believe this American holiday called Thanksgiving should also be a reminder to ourselves of our  responsibility to care for our “fellow man” whenever and however we can.

 We can all help out right here at home- by participating in the many toy/food drives etc., or world-wide through the Red Cross or Salvation Army or other charitable entities.   And it doesn’t stop there. Not only should we be caring for our brothers and sisters on this planet Earth- the only home we have- we cannot forget those that depend on us - the animals and all of mother nature.

 For whom we give thanks....

On a related note, and on behalf of the entire News staff, as well as wishing one and all a Most Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving, we also want to express our thanks to you- our loyal readers and friends. So many of you have become friends to one or more of us. While it is so easy to take for granted the support this newspaper has enjoyed for 50 years now- I want to assure you- we don’t! I often mention that we feel this is “your” community paper- and we mean that. We are here for you- to keep you educated, informed and sometimes, entertained. While I can honestly admit we know there are times when we have not been as successful as we’d like about covering every important event that takes place in the community- you have our pledge to do better. That is our continuing commitment and goal. Sometimes unforeseeable circumstances and staff changes get in the way of us attaining that goal week after week- but you have our solid pledge to work harder and do better at being the best community newspaper we can for all of you- especially in the coming months.

Our thanks are also due to the many businesses who place their advertisements on our pages. They help to make it possible for us to bring you the latest local news. We hope that you will patronize them- and know that by shopping at home first and whenever possible- you will help local businesses (many of which are owned by local residents) in their own efforts to provide worthwhile, quality services and goods at the best price possible.

  We are also thankful to the people we have featured on our pages- for the good that you are a part of- from public servants to the many talented and gifted people with our local school districts, churches, non-profit organizations and community groups- and to all who have inspired us by their good deeds, hard work, amazing accomplishments!

We are so very blessed here to have a rich blend of people from all walks of life! I recently started my 27th year at this newspaper and while I couldn’t begin to list all of the thousands and thousands of special people who have touched my life over the years here- I want you all to know I am most grateful. Just as we (the news staff) have followed some of your lives throughout the years- from birth notices, to school or community accomplishments, engagements, weddings, anniversaries and more... many of you have been there for us, as well, in similar capacities, helping us celebrate our milestones, and being there during the tougher times...

 The saddest news we ever print is when tragedy strikes, accidents happen, and when it comes time to print obituaries for those we know.

The community support we were blessed with upon the passing of my late stepfather, Carl H. Wiese (co-founder of this newspaper) was amazing and overwhelmingly beautiful. January 9, 2008 will mark the 14th anniversary of Carl’s passing, and I am continually humbled by how often so many of you still mention Carl and the difference he and his co-founder, the late H. Kay Larson  made here.   What a tremendous legacy.
 We continue to print obituaries for local residents and people because not only do we consider it to be one of our duties- as a local “keeper of historic records,” we also realize it is a final tribute to that person’s  life.
We have done so for so many people who have left their footsteps on local sidewalks and trails, their fingerprints on all that they have touched- including our hearts.

This desk, once used by General Patton, would later be the site at which Muuss also served

 It is especially hard when the deceased are friends and loved ones. Such was the case when we learned of the sudden and unexpected death of long-time Fountain resident Paul Muuss, who was not  only a dear friend of the newspaper staff- but a dear friend of the community, too.

  A long-time Fountain resident, Paul Muuss may have been best known for his previous service on City Council, and more recently for his “service” at the podium while attending city council meetings. The saying “You can’t fight City Hall,” wasn’t anything Paul adhered to. When it came to proposed tax increases and related issues – he was ever-vocal, speaking out on behalf of senior citizens, low-to middle income families and others- who could suffer serious impacts from such proposed increases. He repeatedly challenged the city to do better- plan better, look for other solutions and options. And he was successful, too! When I was younger (and I am not alone) I was a bit intimidated by Paul. But over time I learned his bark was just his passion for his fellow man- put into words to stand up for them.

I recently spent some time with his widow, Rosa and his daughter, Sunni who shared with me the “other side” of Paul.
Not many knew that the giant of a man (he was 6’ + and could have easily been mistaken for a general- as he carried himself with pride and ease), started each day by walking his little poodle “Trixie” around his neighborhood.  It was on those walks, as he would tell his beloved wife, Rosa, he would find “what was going on.”
A proud veteran, he never hesitated to speak out on behalf of those in the military or retired, just as he knew the importance of giving back to the community he called home. Recently, the family received word that a flag had been flown in Paul’s honor over an American base in Afghanistan.

His other interested included traveling with Rosa in their motor home. Sometimes they would go to Mexico, where he loved to take gifts of school supplies and more to the children living there. Other times, they would travel to be with their daughters and grandchildren, as well as to visit members of Rosa’s family in Germany. Still, he always was happy to come home, to the community he loved.
 “He was town-serving, not self-serving,” his daughter concluded.

A few reasons to give thanks...
 If you woke up this morning
with more health than illness,
you are more blessed than the
million who won’t survive the week.

If you have never experienced
the danger of battle,
the loneliness of imprisonment,
the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 20 million people around the world.

If you attend a church meeting
without fear of harassment,
arrest, torture, or death,
you are more blessed than almost
three billion people in the world.

If you have food in your refrigerator,
clothes on your back, a roof over
your head and a place to sleep,
you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank,
in your wallet, and spare change in
a dish someplace, you are among
the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.

If your parents are still married
and alive, you are very rare, especially
in the United States.

If you hold up your head with a smile
on your face and are truly thankful,
you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone’s hand,
hug them or even touch them on
the shoulder, you are blessed because
 you can offer God’s healing touch.

If you can read this message,
you are more blessed than over
two billion people in the world
who cannot read anything at all.

You are so blessed in ways
you may never even know.

  If you are a recipient of a blessing, keep the blessing working by being the source of blessing to other people.

PATTY'S ARCHIVES
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