Editorial
'Tis the Season

Looking out the window, it appears we will be having a white Christmas (it is hard to imagine the 20-plus inches of snow on the ground melting before Dec. 25). For some that is the sign of a perfect holiday to come, and for others it is just another inconvenience.

But whatever your feelings are on the snow blanketing the region, remember to try to spread the holiday cheer. For many their first thought when they read "spread the holiday cheer" is to think about how much it is going to cost or how little time they have to do one more thing. Instead, how about thinking of the smile that you can bring to someone's face while doing something simple and free.

Here are some suggestions, for each of us, to spread the holiday spirit with a few simple actions:

Hold a door - Whether it is during a quick trip into the post office or after a busy day shopping, having someone hold the door open for you is a welcomed convenience. It's nice when people do it for you, so why not return the favor to someone else.

Let someone merge - As we all drive Route 2 or any of the other major roadways, we also run into that person that is trying to switch lines at the last moment. How about this holiday season, we do something simple and let that person merge into our lane so they can get on with their day too.

Smile - It is amazing what a simple smile at a person can do for your mood. It will cheer you up and relax you, but it will also cheer them up and relax them. It's free, full of love, meaningful and easy to pass on - what could be a better and easier Christmas present to give to others?

Remember small town America - For weeks the columns of this editorial page have been filed with arguments for and against 40B and debates determining the "character" of the towns. One thing we each can agree on is that one characteristic of our small communities that we'd never change is "help your neighbor." Remember that during this season and for the rest of the year.

Merry Christmas from

our family to yours.