Captain Kevin Marsee Chosen New Williamston Police Chief

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The Town of Williamston has a new police chief.

Captain Kevin Marsee, a 38-year law enforcement veteran, will also serve as a member of the Town's Executive Team reporting to the mayor and will participate in town-wide management efforts.

"I am pleased that Kevin Marsee has accepted the position of police chief for the town of Williamston," said Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess. "As you know, Chief Marsee is no stranger to law enforcement and certainly no stranger to Williamston. Upon his retirement from Anderson City, He has served Williamston faithfully as administrative captain since 2013 and as interim chief since July of this year."

"He has done an exemplary job of keeping things on track and moving our department forward, and is well respected both locally, regionally, nationally and even internationally as a experienced trainer and leader in law enforcement," said Burgess. "I can't tell you how excited I am that he accepted this position, knowing that he could be chief of police just about anywhere, he chose Williamston."

Marsee's extensive background includes work in criminal drug investigations, law enforcement training, and crime analysis with a history of moving agencies forward.

He previously served as former Special Operations Commander and Drug Enforcement Investigator for over 21 years with the Anderson City Police Department, and has conducted numerous investigations working with the ATF, DEA, and FBI against armed criminal organizations. He has also developed and implemented strategies to reduce crime relating to gangs, guns, drugs, and fugitives. He was court certified as an expert witness in drug enforcement in 1995 and received certification as a Crime and Intelligence Analyst in 2002.

Marsee also served as Special Deputy U.S. Marshal for Operation Intercept from 1994-2010 and served as a guest instructor for the Department of Homeland Security Federal Law Enforcement Training Center from 2009-2012.

In 2010, he was assigned to develop the Anderson Police Department Training Division which was responsible for the basic and advanced training of more than 150 personnel. He was accepted as Senior Training Associate for International Police Training and Consulting Services in 2012 to support and strengthen international security and public safety organizations through the development and delivery of professional training.

Marsee currently aids law enforcement agencies around the globe as a curriculum developer, analyst, and training associate. He maintains law enforcement instructorship through the SC Criminal Justice Academy and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He has served the residents of Williamston since 2013 as Administrative Captain. 

Bassmaster Team Championship at Green Pond Next Week

Observer Reports

The 2022 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship is coming to Green Pond Landing and Events Center next week.

The tournament, set for Dec. 7-10 Hartwell Lake, is the final Bassmaster Event of 2022, and the winner will be headed to the 2023 Bassmaster Classic in March.

Takeoff each morning is scheduled at 7 a.m. at Green Pond Landing, with weigh-ins held at Green Pond each day at 3 p.m. Live event coverage will be available at Bassmaster.com.

Original Pelzer Light People Still Making Spirits Bright

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The Original Pelzer Light People Continue their tradition of making spirits bright with their month-long performance schedule for the public and for shut-ins in the area.

Find out more about the group and see their schedule here.\

Shopping Locally Builds Stronger Community

Federal Court Scrutinizing S.C. House District Maps

(AP) - A trial to determine whether South Carolina’s congressional maps are legal closes Tuesday with arguments over whether the state Legislature diluted Black voting power by remaking the boundaries of the only U.S. House district Democrats have flipped in more than 30 years. 

The trial also marks the first time the South Carolina maps have been legally scrutinized since the U.S. Supreme Court removed part of a 1965 law that required the state to get federal approval to protect against discriminatory redistricting proposals. 

A panel of three federal judges on Tuesday heard closing arguments in the case in Charleston. A ruling is expected later and any appeal will be made directly to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

The Republican-dominated General Assembly redrew the maps early this year based on the 2020 U.S. census, and they were used in this month's midterm elections.

According to a lawsuit filed by the NAACP, the new boundaries unconstitutionally split Black voters in the state’s 1st, 2nd and 5th Districts and packed them all into the 6th District, which already had a majority of African American voters.

The civil rights group has asserted during months of arguments that the General Assembly's actions not only diluted Black voting strength, but also strengthened the 6-to-1 advantage Republicans have in the state's U.S. House delegation. The last time a Democrat flipped a U.S. House seat was in 2018. Before that Democrats hadn't won a seat from Republican control since 1986. 

The new congressional districts "render Black voters unable to meaningfully influence congressional elections in those districts,” the NAACP lawyers allege in the lawsuit. 

Attorneys for state lawmakers said the 1st District had to have changes because much of South Carolina's more than 10% population growth from 2010 to 2020 happened along the coast. 

The Legislature also insisted it followed guidance the U.S. Supreme Court laid out in 2013 when it overturned a provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act requiring South Carolina and eight other mostly Southern states to get federal approval when they redrew district maps. The new maps are similar to the 2010 districts approved by federal officials. 

“The General Assembly did not improperly use race in drawing any district or in enacting any redistricting plan,” the Legislature's attorneys wrote. “The General Assembly may have been aware of race in drawing districts and redistricting plans, but such awareness does not violate the Constitution or law.” 

The crux of the NAACP argument is that the Legislature ignored “communities of interest” in several regions of the state: places where voters share economic, social, historic or political bonds or are located within the same geographic or government boundaries. 

They cited several plans lawmakers did not adopt that would have kept Charleston and surrounding areas entirely in the 1st District instead of breaking off some areas with significant African American populations and putting them into the 6th District. 

NAACP lawyers pointed out that 80% of Black Charleston County voters are now in the 6th District. In the 2010 maps, African American voters from the county were nearly evenly split between the 6th and the 1st Districts, 

U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel said during the arguments that to him it appeared that racial sorting was by design, perhaps making the newly drawn 1st District an illegal racial gerrymander, The State newspaper reported. 

"If you see a turtle on top of a fencepost, you know someone put it there,” Gergel said. “This is not a coincidence.” 

Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace won under the old map in 2020 by 1.3 percentage points. Under the new map, she won reelection to the 1st District earlier this month by 13.9 percentage points. 

If the U.S. House maps are ruled illegal, the judges could order lawmakers to redraw all or parts of the congressional maps, setting a deadline and guidelines for the work. 

The NAACP said it would ask that special elections be held in any districts the judges rule are unconstitutional.

A List of Holiday Music that Still Brings Joy to the World

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer 

Growing up, nothing said Christmas is coming like the annual release of holiday albums at Firestone and Goodyear.

Goodyear’s “Great Songs of Christmas” and Firestone’s “Your Favorite Christmas Music” shared a lot of the same artists and songs, and aimed to get dad to the tire store to look at tires while the family purchased the discounted album. 

Each of those albums features a collection of holiday songs featuring such artists as the New York Philharmonic, Nelson Eddy, Julie Andrews, Andre Previn, Mitch Miller, Mahalia Jackson, Dinah Shore, Doris Day, Tony Bennett and too many more to name here. 

My family drove to town the first Saturday those records were released each year, but those records were somehow lost in moves and Spring cleanings over the decades. They are collector’s items now, although some of the collections are available on what look to be questionable CD collections. 

Those records stacked to play until the last record dropped on the turntable of the massive, cherry wood, console in our den filled our house with Christmas music throughout my childhood. The sound of the stylus touching down on a record and hearing the holidays beckon is something not easy to forget. 

There are more than 50 selections, annd many can be found streaming at various sites online.

In the decades since, my collection of Christmas music is almost exclusively digital now, with more than 6,400 holiday songs and more than 3,000 complete albums.

My tastes in holiday music is fairly comprehensive, but many of my favorite cuts were recorded before 1960.  

The only category I generally ignore is novelty Christmas songs from any generation, none of which hold up very well (if they ever did), including the abominable “Little Drummer Boy.”

The majority of today’s modern covers of classic holiday music (there are rare exceptions) pale in comparison to the rich arrangements and musicians whom they seek imitate. Copying vocal licks or trying to make the sound “more modern” rarely works. Plus, the production lacks the live musician feel of the earlier records when multi-track recording was non-existent. 

Sadly, it is these modern songs that start in October on the radio and leave many begging for the holidays to be over and for an early Spring.  

For those who have almost given up on finding the good stuff, here’s a list of holiday albums for almost every mood that will melt the heart of almost any Christmas music Scrooge.

There is obviously some great music not included here, and I am certain I am missing some jewels. I am also working under the assumption that most folks are streaming at least a large portion of their music now, so I extend mild apologies to audiophile fundamentalists, for hard copies of some of these choices are difficult to find.

Here are my picks for timeless holiday music: 

“Ella & Louis Christmas” Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald

Every single duet they recorded works, and they are flawless on this collection. Ella’s “Sleigh Ride” and Louis’ “Cool Yule” as good as things get. Also check out Ella’s “Ella Wishes You a Swingin’ Christmas.” 

“Snowfall” - Tony Bennett

A good holiday showcase for Tony to help you deck the halls. 

“Ella Fitzgerald’s Christmas” – Ella Fitzgerald

Easily the most straight-ahead Christian holiday record on this list, with Ella working her magic on 11 songs of the season of Advent.

“Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas” – Ella Fitzgerald

From 1960, Ella lights up the holidays with 18 tracks guaranteed to make spirits bright. “Sleigh Ride” is subdued but a fine cover, while “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” will make you wish it were Christmastime in another era.

“Christmas Songs by Sinatra” – Frank Sinatra

A throwback to the 1940s (recorded in 1948), with a mixture of sacred and secular Christmas music, “Christmas Dreaming” is as good as it gets. The “Christmas Carol Medley,” a cut from the “The Guest Star” radio series, always brings big smiles at my house.

“Christmas with Johnny Cash” - Johnny Cash

Compilation of his holiday songs from 1962-1980, these are straight ahead versions of traditional Christmas songs. I wish Cash had done an “American Recordings” holiday album, but he did not, so we get this one and it’s not bad.

“Bells of Dublin” - The Chieftains 

This classic Celtic holiday album, with cuts unfamiliar to many Americans, is a shining star of holiday magic. 

“White Christmas” - Bing Crosby

No surprise here. If you can find the one with the “Jingle Bell outtake/Christmas Wishes to folks back East at Decca Records,” it’s the best. Nothing sings in the holidays like this album. 

“Merry Christmas” - Bing Crosby

Bing, who taught the world how to properly use a microphone, is at his best in the collection of traditional Christmas favorites. 

“Ultimate Christmas,” “A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra” - Frank Sinatra

Both collections of familiar tunes with Sinatra backed by some of the best musicians on earth at the time, all recorded before Old Blue Eyes was in his prime.

“Christmas” - Bruce Cockburn

One of the finest holiday albums of any era. Cockburn, a stellar guitar player and songwriter, hits so many Christmas joyful notes with both traditional and original material, it never gets old. His “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” is an epiphany.

“Christmas in the Heart” - Bob Dylan

This record was the but of many jokes when it was released in 2009, and at first listen it is easy to dismiss or even, for some, ridicule. But upon multiple listens, this is a sweet, wonderful Christmas gift from our greatest living songwriter. His voice has the wear of age, and it works here. Those who have little or no appreciation for Dylan are allowed to skip this one, but you are missing a little gem. 

“Cee Lo’s Magic Moment” - Ce Lo Green

An odd, interesting album I expected to hate, but grew more fond with every cut. Something different, but festive in its own way. 

“Light of the Stable” - Emmylou Harris

Add Neil Young, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt to the best Nashville musicians of the day and you have a sweet, mellow Christmas record fro the ages. 

“Christmas” - Low

I first heard Low’s cover of “Surfer Girl” and have been a fan ever since. Their harmony is a perfect holiday tonic, slow and quiet.

“The McGarrigle Christmas Hour” - Kate & Anna McGarrigle

Recorded in 2005, this record with family and friends - including Emmylou Harris, Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright and Beth Orton - was the last recording before Kate’s death. It is a wonderful and unusual collections of songs for the holidays, featuring not only a couple of traditional carols, but original songs and even Jackson Browne’s “Rebel Jesus.” 

“The Mills Brothers Christmas” - The Mills Brothers

Family harmony has never been better, and their take on holiday music is fine indeed.  

“Snow Angels” - Over the Rhine

A bit melancholy, but some wonderful original songs of really blue Christmas emotions and Winter darkness. Excellent.  

“A She and Him Christmas” -She & Him

Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward bring a relaxing record, with excellent, gentle arrangements. The Deluxe 10th Anniversary includes “It’s Beginning to Look at Lot Like Christmas.” 

“Christmas ’64 (rereleased as Christmas Cookin’)” - Jimmy Smith

This one is from 1964, and is full of interesting arrangements with hot Hammond organ solos.

“Songs for Christmas” - Sufjan Stevens

From 2006, this has been on many “best Christmas records” lists ever since and with good reason. Stevens covers so much territory in a joyous holiday journey it’s hard not to smile and sing along. 

“Lumières d'hiver” – Emilie-Claire Barlow

Wonderful arrangements of less recorded holiday songs. Barlow’s voice is perfect for these songs, and her “Christmas Waltz” is light the warm lights of the Christmas tree. Most of these songs are in French, but that won’t dampen your enjoyment of this record.

“The Pianoman at Christmas” – Jamie Cullen

A bit over-the-top at times, but still a fun sleigh ride of traditional tunes.

“The Classic Big Band Christmas Album” – Compilation

Some seriously good holiday songs, many of which are not often found elsewhere. Many of these are from 78rpm recordings including Charlie Spivak’s “A Winter Wonderland” and the excellent arrangement of “Snowfall” by Claude Thornhill and his Orchestra.

“Jingle Bell Swing” – Various Artists

This one includes cuts by Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Louis Prima, Carmen McRae and the very odd Art Carney rap holiday song from 1954. Some solid music on this one.

“Christmas Songs” – Diana Krall

Still carrying the torch for the old sound, Krall swings her way through a dozen holiday favorites. The final cut, “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep” is second only to Bing’s version.

“Santa’s Funk & Soul Christmas Party, Vol. 2” -Various Artists

This one is worth a listen if only for Pearl Bailey’s “Jingle Bell Cha Cha,” which rings with the underrated singer’s vibe. The very weird “Satna Fly,” featuring Martin Mull and the Sondra Gaskin Glee Club, is as funky as the holiday gets.

“A Very Swingin’ Basie Christmas” - The Count Basie Orchestra

Swell record to put on while decorating the tree or wrapping holiday gifts. 

“The New Possibility: John Fahey’s Guitar Soli Christmas Album/Christmas with John Fahey” – John Fahey

John Fahey has made a habit of recording a new album of Christmas music every five or six years, but The New Possibility, which was originally released in 1968, is still his best. On it, Fahey has pulled off the near miraculous feat of taking old holiday chestnuts like "Joy to the World" and "It Came upon a Midnight Clear" and making them sound fresh. When he plays a Travis-picking version of "O Come All Ye Faithful" or he recasts "Silent Night, Holy Night" as bottleneck blues, you get the feeling Fahey is treating the music with respect rather then piety. Also included in this reissue are six tracks from his 1975 release Christmas with John Fahey, Vol. II. 

“Silent Nights” - Chet Baker

Another compilation of one of our finest trumpet players holiday music. Surprised it is not more widely heard. 

“A Dave Brubeck Christmas” - Dave Brubeck

Piano music to make the holidays merry, bright and chill. A good collection. 

“The Charlie Byrd Christmas Album” - Charlie Byrd

Byrd was not a flashy guitar player, and this understated holiday record shows why he never needed to show off.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” - Vince Guaraldi Trio

This San Francisco jaaa group hit pay dirt with this record and deserve every penny and every award it earned. It is seamless and is a part of almost everyone’s holiday experience for the past almost 60 years. 

“Six String Santa” - Joe Pass

Joe Pass, maybe the best guitar player of my generation, could not be better in his cover of these Christmas tunes.

“An Oscar Peterson Christmas” - Oscar Peterson 

Cool Jazz from 1955. This guy is one of the kings of the jazz piano and takes a lighter touch here with his six-piece troupe. Fine work. 

“Christmas Album” – Herb Albert and the Tajuana Brass

A mellow album for Albert, but the songs are well chosen and the arrangements just right.

“The Ventures Christmas album” - The Ventures

Recorded in the 1964, a surf music spin on the holidays. It grows a bit tiring with each cut, but is something different and fun. 

“Sounds of Christmas” – Ramsey Louis Trio

From 1961, one of the best Christmas jazz alubms, with some of my favorite arrangements of holiday music. A lot of sonic variety.

“The Sound of Christmas,” - The Three Suns

This hard-to-find record is just plain fun all the way through. 

“God Rest Ye Merry Jazzmen” – Various Artists

Also hard to find, this fine record includes  Dexter Gordon Quartet, McCoy Tyner, The Arthur Blythe Quartet, The Heath Brothers, Paquito D’Rivera, and The Wynton Marsalis Quintet.

“A Mellow Jazz Christmas” – Various Artists

Stanley Clarke, David Benoit, Phil Woods, ‘nuff said. This brings a smooth but cool vibe to the holiday.

“A Merry Christmas” – Stan Kenton

Ambitious arrangements, big brass and orchestral percussion make this one special.

“Yuletide Swing” – Oliver Jones

New one for me this year. Tasteful and chill arrangements without getting syrupy. Nothing spectacular, but you might have this one playing at holiday gatherings for a while.

“Merry Ole Soul” – Duke Pearson

Soulful piano decks the halls of this album with nine cuts of gospel/blues infused holiday joy, including a surprisingly lively, yet traditional, “Silent Night.”

“7 Shades of Snow” – June Bisantz

This EP has echoes of June Christy’s early 1960s stuff (even a cover of “The Merriest”), with strong musicians and a gentle vibe.

“Christmas” – The Singers Unlimited/Leader: Gene Puerung

Maybe the best caroling album of holiday favorites. Recorded in 1971, all A Capella groups need to listen to these folks to see how to do it right. Really warm and relaxing holiday music. 

“Christmas Vibes” – Warren Wolf

Channeling Lionel Hampton, Wolf holiday vibes his way through a fairly standard list of classics. Along the way, he finds a sweet spot in such cuts as “Christmastime is Here.”

“Jingle Bell Jazz” - Various Artists

Scat singing, Herbie Hancock and a Dixieland “Frosty the Snowman” make this worth a listen. 

“Crescent City Christmas Card” – Wynton Marsalis

Swinging sleigh rides through some of the standard canon, with Marsalis’ arrangements and solos taking center stage. If you are tired of holiday music, tune in her.

“Christmas Tree-O” 

Fun and clever covers of holiday favorites make this one a lot of fun.

“Matt Wilson’s Christmas Tree-O” – Matt Wilson

Not to be confused with the other tree-o, Wilson’s is unlike any other Christmas album you’ve heard befor, with crazy and fun spins on these songs to make a record special. Jeff Lederer on Sax, Paul Sikivie on Bass, and Matt Wilson on Drums.

“Merry Magic” – Eric Reed

Jazz piano great Reed is in fine form in this mostly instrumental holiday album.  A shining organ take on “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful” and the keyboard work in “Angels in the Snow” are the most memorable cuts.

Copyright © 2022, Anderson Observer Publisher. All rights reserved.

Powdersville Elementary Receives National Recognition

Observer Reports

Powdersville Elementary School was recently honored by Solution Tree for its sustained success in raising student achievement. The school’s successful implementation of the Professional Learning Communities at Work® process was a major contributing factor in the improved achievement of its students. 

The school is one of 200 in the United States and Canada to receive the recognition.

PLCs are schools and districts in which educators recognize the key to improved learning for students is on-going, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students. The three big ideas of a PLC call upon educators to: focus on learning, build a collaborative culture, and create a results orientation.

“Powdersville Elementary is only the third school in South Carolina to be recognized as a model PLC school,” said Anderson School District One Superintendent Robbie Binnicker. “We are proud of the hard work by the faculty and staff, and most of all, we are proud of the academic excellence that has been achieved through a commitment to collaboration and continuous improvement.”

Williamston All-Day Christmas Events Bring Holiday Crowds

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Thousands were on hand for Sunday's full-day of Christmas events in Williamston.

A Christmas market, followed by the annual Christmas Parade, Christmas tree lighting and official opening of holiday lights in Mineral Springs Park witnessed a steady stream of visitors to the town as we largely rated a success by planners.

Piedmont Shines Bright at Winterfest Celebration

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The community of Piedmont celebrated their new holiday lights and ushered in the season with Winterfest on Friday, which included the Christmas tree lighting, music a holiday market and more.

  More than 300 were on hand for the festival, which was hosted on the grounds of Piedmont Wesleyan Church.

Piedmont will continue their holiday celebration with a parade Dec. 3 at 11 a.m.

Anderson County Ready to Deck the Halls with Holiday Events

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and Anderson County is decking the halls with holiday event in the weeks ahead.

Piedmont will kick off the season with Winterfest Friday beginning at 5 p.m. at Piedmont Wesley Church with a market, music, tree lighting and more.

The Anderson Christmas Lights, with a large number of new displays are up and running.

Williamston is set for a full day of Christmas events Sunday, beginning with a holiday market at 2 p.m., followed by the annual Christmas parade at 4 p.m., the tree lighting and a winter wonderland celebration at the town hall beginning at 6:30 p.m. Santa, music, hay rides, cocoa and cookies are among the promised treats.

The offical tree lighting on the Anderson County square is set for Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. The event will kick off earlier with music from the T.L. Hanna Jazz Band and an appearance by the Pelzer Light People.

Anderson University's Annual First Night Celebration is set for Dec. 2.

Honea Path Christmas Parade - Dec. 3 at 11 a.m.

Piedmont Christmas Parade - Dec. 3 at 11 a.m.

Belton Christmas Parade - Dec. 3 at 3:30 p.m.

West Pelzer and Pelzer Christmas Parade - Dec. 3 at 5:30 p.m.

The Anderson Parade - Dec. 4 at 3 p.m.

Iva Christmas Parade - Dec. 17 at 3 p.m.

Pendleton Christmas Parade - Dec. 11 at 3 p.m.

Denver Christmas Parade - Dec. 18 at 2 p.m.

Know of other Anderson County Christmas Events? Email Us

Holiday Comment: Gift of Gratitude Brings Healing, Wonder

By Greg Wilson

Editor/Publisher, The Anderson Obsever

With 39 days left in 2022, we take time to celebrate Thanksgiving, that uniquely American holiday.

The Observer’s annual Gratitude Project offers some of your friends or neighbors talking about the transformative nature of gratitude. Some of the videos are available here.

And some audio musings on gratitude and Thanksgiving from 2015 are here. 

Thanksgiving is a holiday that has been marked, in various forms, on this continent since the late 1500s. 

Abraham Lincoln finally made Thanksgiving an official holiday, to be celebrated on the third Thursday of November, while in the middle of the Civil War in 1863.

His proclamation both reflected the long-observed intent of those who had gone before him as he wrote the holiday would be a time to: "Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union." 

The noble purpose of Thanksgiving Day being set aside to praise God for his provision and express our gratefulness for his "deliverances and blessings" still hold a place for many of as we gather with family and friends, show what is best about us by serving those who lack even the most basic of needs.

On Monday, AIM distributed a full Thanksgiving dinner to more than 700 families. AIM works 365 days a year to serve those in our community who might need a little help, and I am grateful for their decades of work.

Hope Ministries of the Upstate has been a safe, warm place for those in our community without a place to sleep at night and receive a hot breakfast in the morning. The group is working with other local non-profits to provide the Christmas gift of a backpack filled with essentials for those who spend most of their time on the streets. Find out more here.

The Salvation of Army of Anderson, which provides shelter and other assistance all year has started their Red Kettle holiday program which helps fund their work.

The more than 600 shut-ins in the county depend on Meals on Wheels of Anderson throughout the year for a daily hot meal delivered to their homes.

Others, including Clean Start, the Good Neighbor Cupboard, the Cancer Association of Anderson and countless churches in our community are turning away from the "national perverseness" of self-interest, express gratitude through kindness and generosity. 

Many families will gather around their tables Thursday, some will offer up a list of things for which they are grateful today. 

Meanwhile, so many in far-off lands will spend today day standing in long lines for rice or beans or a jug of clean water, as most of us here will eat from tables so full of food they can barely contain the weight.

The majority of us, though we may not have all the things we think we want, have more than we need, and hopefully are sharing some of our abundance with those who do not. 

But even though in some ways Thanksgiving Day still holds true the traditions, such as gratitude and demonstrations of such thankfulness through helping our neighbors, there are still some retail establishments open for business on Thanksgiving Day.

Over the past decade, a rising tide of voices has succeeded in convincing many of the largest retailers to shut down on Thanksgiving Day. 

Most of the largest retailers, including Target and Walmart, have responded to the cry of retail workers asking for a respite for the upcoming rush by closing and allowing workers to spend the day with family and friends.

This is both welcome and laudable, and long overdue.

But some, including CVS, Walgreens, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Starbucks and Walgreens, have ignored the holiday and will open with business as usual Thanksgiving Day.

Their workers are being asked to clock in to miss the holiday while allowing others to leave their own family and friends to go shopping.

Americans who work retail, and already face growing pressure of long hours and generally often below-average wages, are now being asked to forfeit one of their rare holidays, the day set aside for family and gratitude.

One way to help end this practice is to refuse to shop on Thanksgiving Day. If these stores see zero traffic, they most likely will rethink their Scrooge-like practice.

Let’s send the message that Thanksgiving is not just another day to feed the cash register, and carry out the spirit with patience and good will leading into the holiday shopping rush. 

On Friday, while still drowsy from turkey and gravy, we face the next holiday challenge of maintaining a grateful heart towards those working in the world so full of bright, shiny objects vying for our attention and our wallet.

Be patience and kind. Those who have worked retail in the holidays will testify the level of stress already in place by the hordes of shoppers, is made more difficult by short-tempered, angry folks made their days much more difficult.

And remember why you are giving gifts to celebrate the Christmas season. The most common reason for giving a holiday gift is to express some form of compassion toward the one receiving the gift. But often shopping degrades into buying on auto-pilot, with little thought other than checking a name off a list.

And lost in the rush is our sense of gratitude. a gift that needs no wrapping paper, ribbon or space under the Christmas tree. Research is conclusive that those who approach life with a sense of gratitude, have fewer mental and physical problems, live longer, exhibit less stress, have a stronger immune system, and even handle loss far better than those who do not live life with the recognition that they do indeed have a lot for which to be grateful.

So how does a person find that place, a place where gratitude finds a regular place in our lives, especially during the holidays?  

The best place to start, according to more than one study, is to verbally acknowledge those things for which you are thankful every day. Not just during the holiday season.

Those in this study who wrote down a daily gratitude list for one full year expressed the experience profound change in their lives. Stories of overcoming depression, lowered blood pressure, and even healing of relationships were common among those who finished the year-long gratitude list project.

So make your first holiday gift this year one for yourself. Commit to a daily practice of gratitude, verbal or written for the next 365 days. You won't be sorry.

G.K. Chesterton once wrote:  Thanks are the highest form of thought... gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.

And that is my Thanksgiving wish to all this season as you give thanks today, that you will experience happiness doubled by wonder.

AIM Provides More Than 700 Thanksgiving Meals

Observer Reports

More than 700 families will have a happier Thanksgiving thanks to AIM.

In partnership with the United Way of Anderson County, Duke Energyand Second Harvest Food Bank, AIM led efforts to distribute the full Thanksgiving dinners at the Anderson Civic Center to those in need.

Local food drives, including the TOTSOME Food Drive, also contributed to the effort.

Throughout the year, AIM provides not only food assistance to those in the community who need asstance, but help with financial stability, housing and the nationally recognized Women and Children Succeeding program. Find out more here.  

The Gratitude Project 2022: Maria Hollis

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The Anderson Observer is again talking to area residents who find great value in gratitude as we enter this holiday season. Today, we talk to Director of the Piedmont Emergency Relief Center Maria Hollis, who finds gratitude a motivation for serving the community.