This year, when so many are in want or need, the Coastal Journal and the Times-Record took up the cause of one young boy scout who wanted to make the world a better and brighter place for teenagers who are in foster care.  On Saturday, we went to see how his mission was going.  Zach, his family, and friends were wrapping gifts at the First Parish Church in Brunswick, and they seemed to be doing pretty well. His mother met us at the door as the boy scouts took the skis we had brought, and told us that it looked like each of the kids was going to have at least two gifts after all.  Just a couple of weeks ago, it looked like Zach was not going to meet his goal of providing even one gift for each of the 140 kids whose holiday he was trying to brighten. Sarah from Main Street Bath told us that she was already getting checks from people as far away as Wiscasset who read Zach’s story and wanted to do something.  We have been getting gifts here at the CJ, too. 

What Zach’s story told us is that you, the people we serve, are among the most generous people we have met anywhere in the world.  That is our first, and most important blessing.

In November, residents of Wiscasset defeated a measure that would have allowed a coal gasification plant to begin the process of buildiing in their community.  It would have provided them with a tax base and jobs, but it would have destroyed the pristine beauty of the place, and hurt their neighbors who rely on the Sheepscot to trap lobster or just go for a beautiful day’s sail.  It would have hurt the people whose water was co-opted for the use of the power plant.  It would have hurt anyone in the midcoast who loves clean air and water and blue skies.

The voters turned it down, realizing that good neighborliness and friendships with residents in other towns cannot be bought for any price.  They realized that the good health of the planet is the most important thing we can leave to our grandchildren.  Those voters who put the needs of the Earth and their neighbors above their own, and all those who care about the planet, are our second blessing.

And as we take this day and consider the beauty of our little piece of the planet, together with our friends, relatives, and others, we know that there are people laboring into the evening to provide warm meals, warm beds, and warm friendship to those less fortunate.  Those people ... who gladly give of themselves in service to help those less fortunate, are our third blessing. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all from the Coastal Journal.