Two dozen reasons to give thanks this month

“Tradition” is a word we find ourselves using a lot during the holiday season. One of our favorite traditions at this time of year is our taking time to reflect on one thing we are thankful for each day of November.

Nov. 1 — big, fat turkeys — not the kind you put on the table, but the inflatable birds decorating lawns all over town. There’s even one on North York Road getting ready to dig in to a piece of pumpkin pie. We smile every time we see one.

Nov. 2 — the readers and advertisers who continue to support us year in and year out

Nov. 3 — the letter writers who took the time to pen a message of support for candidates in the Nov. 8 election

Nov. 4 — players and coaches on the Falcons 11U Silver team, who gave Hinsdale fans a championship to cheer about at the Bill George Youth Football League Super Bowl

Nov. 5 — Dave and Chris Pequet, whose fifth Red White & Blues event netted $54,000 for Operation Support our Troops

Nov. 6 — the ultra smooth ride on Garfield Avenue

Nov. 7 ­— the candidates who are busy gathering petition signatures to run for the village, library and school boards in the April election

Nov. 8 — election judges, who helped citizens exercise one of their most important rights

Nov. 9 — the friends and supporters of The Community House who came out in force to buy tickets to the Holiday Ball — which sold out before the middle of the month

Nov. 10 — a high of 68 degrees and a week’s worth of temps in the 60s so far this month

Nov. 11 — the men and women who served in the Armed Forces so the rest of us wouldn’t have to. We are grateful for the many sacrifices they and their families made.

Nov. 12 — the clergy and lay leaders of Hinsdale’s 13 churches, who help parishioners remember to whom they owe everything for which they are grateful

Nov. 13 — the middle and high school band, choir and orchestra members who will offer so much beautiful music this holiday season, and the directors and parents who support them

Nov. 14 — the National Charity League volunteers who helped load a shipping container filled with food, clothing, shoes, tennis balls, soccer balls and more for the O’Brien School for the Maasai in Tanzania, named after Hinsdale’s own Kellie O’Brien

Nov. 15 — The 14 school board members who devote countless hours serving Community Consolidated Elementary District 181 and Hinsdale High School District 86, especially on this, School Board Members Day.

Nov. 16 — Hinsdale Covenant Church members, who have been busy collecting blankets to distribute to the homeless on Christmas Eve

Nov. 17 — former community columnists Jen Dean, Barb Johannesen, Bill Lewis, Laura LaPlaca and Susan O’Byrne for sharing their wonderful essays in our Christmas Gift Guide

Nov. 18 — the National Honor Society members from Hinsdale Central who volunteered at the annual “Stuff the Truck” event

Nov. 19 — the top oncologists, surgeons and health care professionals who volunteered their time to present information at Wellness House’s Hot Topics in Blood Cancer

Nov. 20 — residents who choose to find amazing gifts right here in town for all the family and friends on their list

Nov. 21 — the HCS Family Services Junior Board and others who are working hard this month to make sure every family has enough food to put on their Thanksgiving table this week

Nov. 22 — the generous donors who will support local nonprofits a week from today on #GivingTuesday.

Nov. 23 — Community Memorial Foundation’s YC2 — Young Community Changemakers — program, which empowers high school students to award grants to area nonprofits and helps foster in them a lifelong love of philanthropy

Nov. 24 — the first responders working today in the fire and police departments and at AdventHealth Hinsdale Hospital, trying to keep everyone safe and healthy on this holiday

Happy Thanksgiving