An Ernie Maxwell Thanksgiving

The Town Crier’s founder, Ernie Maxwell, noted the changing seasons and the tides of history in editorials and occasional items. Maxwell’s Thanksgiving thoughts are as apt and meaningful today as the day they were written.

In 1948, under the headline “Cause for Thanksgiving,” he wrote:

“First, for the precious privilege of living in these mountains; For golden autumn days and sparkling nights; For the friendliness of folks and the easy comradeship of neighbors; For books and stimulating talk, and the warmth of firesides; For joys shared and the eager helpfulness in times of need; For the quiet beauty of the high country; for the strength of the pines; For the birds and squirrels and wild things that share our store; For the security that comes from hearts at peace—- For the ability to appreciate all of these – and the blessed privilege of thanks-giving.”

In 1951 he contrasted this closeness to nature to the rising tide of industrial civilization. “In this age of frenzied seeking for security in material bulwarks it is good to remember how wonderful the Earth is. To appreciate again the marvel of the commonplace, the miracles of everyday that we take for granted.”

In 1954 his thanks focused on “the people on the mountain who have our welfare constantly in mind. Those performing civic services or assigned to state of federal posts locally, as well as the many volunteers who work for the progress of the mountain through various organizations deserve our thanks.” He went on to describe the progress of the local fire department since its founding by volunteers in ’47, and the loss of Sportland and the Cedars Cafe to night fires in the next two years.

In 1962 he gave thanks for the de-escalation of the Cuban Missile Crisis: “This Thanksgiving we’re mighty thankful that no buttons were pressed, so that machines could reduce the human race to a lower form of life.” The next year he gave thanks, even amidst the mourning after Kennedy’s assassination, for the time America had had him as a leader. “He recognized hatreds and prejudices but moved with courage to dispel them. It is up to us to push forward toward a more tolerant society, and a world of people that can work together for good.

Maxwell often returned to the theme of the goodness we find in each other. In 1968 he wrote: “Among thanks given in 1968 “This Thanksgiving we are particularly grateful we have the chance to enjoy the good there is in people. No one can deprive us of the opportunity to discover this in others. We know that it is there, otherwise the human race would have destroyed itself long ago….We have a heart for loving. Not just for special kinds of people, but for as many as possible. We are not limited to size, shape, color, creed or status. Love is sharing, and the more the better.”