Saying thank you is more than good manners. It is good spirituality. – Alfred PainterFebruary is, of course, all about heart. Itís American Heart Month, which reminds us to††take care of our heart by eating healthy food and exercising ó and being aware of symptoms that could indicate a heart problem. In the U.S.,†heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death for both men and women. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 600,000 Americans die from heart disease each year.Besides taking care of our own heart, February is also a month to take care of othersí hearts. Valentineís Day is not just for romance ó it is also about remembering those close to us, whether friends or family. Opening our hearts†means taking time for the little things, like thank-you notes.†Is the thank-you note a relic? Jimmy Fallon sends thank-you notes to everyone and everything, from the White House to chocolate. Fallonís funny notes are part of his gig, but Martha Stewart and other etiquette gurus say the real thank-you note never goes out of style.†Disregarding the thank-you note is equal to dissing the giver and the gift.††The other day, a friend was telling me that for Christmas she had sent a piece of original artwork to a niece and her husband, along with toys and clothes for their kids. To this day, she hasnít heard one word from them, which, she†said, is typical. I had the same experience this past Christmas.My mom taught me that thank-you notes were simply good manners, and I passed that down to my daughters. I am confident they will do the same.†And using social media is just not the same as a handwritten note.†A thank-you note to a potential employer following an interview is a positive reflection of your character. Thank-you notes for wedding and baby gifts ó a no brainer. A thank-you note to a teacher is as good or better than an apple!†Sending grandma a thank-you note for that $5 birthday check goes a long way.†Although females are often the ones who initiate thank-you notes; moms and dads:††Teach your boys the importance of a thank-you note, too. Nothing says ìgentlemanî like a handwritten note.††Start them early, too. Itís just plain sweet to receive a scribbled thank-you from your 3-year-old granddaughter.†For this monthís issue,††we are following up, as weíve promised many of you, on the ongoing controversy with the wind farm. This is a tough topic, with all the technical aspects, varied opinions and property issues. We are trying to†cover all bases and be fair to all sides. If you have any input, we welcome it. Because there is so much to cover, weíll be following up again for our March issue.†Have a wonderful February, and Happy Valentineís Day. Speaking of thank yous, it would be great if you take time to stop in and say thank you to our advertisers. They keep us going!†See you in March,– Michelle
