Be thankful Pilgrims

I know Thanksgiving is more than a week away, but with our altered column schedule I’ve chosen to address the topic today.

Like the father figure at today’s blended-family dinner table, I’m going to deliver a pre-meal speech on things to be thankful for.

Early retirements

Kick-save and a beaut! That may not be the first thing that came to people’s minds when they read or heard about Creston Community Schools’ 17 early retirees, but it’s definitely how I would describe it.

While it’s true I don’t know many of these early retirees and their services will more than likely be missed, what a boost to the district’s budget. I have to believe these individuals voluntarily chose to end their tenures in Creston, thus creating what could be substantial savings for the district over the years to come.

In a time where money is tighter than my belt after two turkey legs and an entire pumpkin pie, this will surely help.

Creston Schools will undoubtedly miss the experience that leaves with these retirees next year, but there is an upside. Each position that is filled brings the opportunity of new blood moving to Creston.

My guess is most of the early retirees will continue to live in the area, so the trickle effect could be younger individuals or families starting a life here without the loss of older, respected community members. Having ambitious new employees may help both the school and southwest Iowa economically.

Let’s just hope they can find housing upon arrival. Where is the Iowana when you need it?

Harvest

Hooray for agriculture. The little gold nuggets being tenuously removed from area fields must be good news for the state of Iowa.

A record-setting soybean crop and above-average corn production should help a region dominated by agriculture. Even if prices tumble some, beef producers could then see the benefits.

I’m no economics professional or car salesman, but “cash for clunkers” may have also spurred an increase in purchases of vehicles suitable for ethanol. If that industry can come to fruition, corn producers should be dancing in their untreated fields this winter.