With Christmas upon us, we should give thanks to all the wonderful Whidbey Island residents who made this another one for the memory books.

Since Thanksgiving, islanders have been enjoying concerts, admiring beautiful lights on homes and businesses, watching parades, waving at Santa on fire trucks and at Christmas Village, in downtown Oak Harbor and elsewhere. Merchants, artists and craftspeople have been cheerful and helpful when displaying their wares, and smiles are everywhere despite the weak economy and how busy everyone seems to be.

Throughout the island, school children and been collecting food and gifts for the needy; the Marines have been collecting Toys for Tots; Salvation Army bell ringers have been raising money for numerous local causes; the Soroptimists raised funds and spirits through their Festival of Trees and Teddy Bear Breakfast; the Oak Harbor VFW celebrates seniors with a free dinner; Help House is overflowing with food thanks to this community which gives even more during hard times; and chances are pretty good that your Christmas tree was provided by the Lions Club, which uses the proceeds for all its good causes. The list of people doing good things is almost endless.

Today and tomorrow, hundreds of islanders are busy preparing church pageants, plays, musical presentations and evening services to remind us what Christmas is really all about and to implant those values in the next generation which is inundated the rest of the year by material messages.

In short, thanks to all the Whidbey Island residents who made this another great Christmas, and Merry Christmas to you all.