As the year winds down, I’m reminded we have two poignant days every November we need to keep close to our hearts.

In that spirit, before you read on, I’d like you to take a minute, close your eyes, take a deep breath, block out all the noises around you and just think about all of the things you’re thankful for. Big and small, past or recent, even things revealing themselves in the future. Just think.

Hopefully, like myself, you’ll come to realize you have many more blessings to enjoy and thanks to give than you’ve ever imagined — blessings that make your life all the more enjoyable and pleasing.

Now, if you haven’t already, add to that list the military veterans we honor and celebrate next week. Once again, we joyfully give thanks and well-deserved recognition to the many selfless veterans here in Northampton and throughout America.

Our military organizations and the Northampton Area Historical Society are holding two events to mark the day. Our local American Legion, Catholic War Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts will hold their annual ceremony 11 a.m. Nov. 8 at Memorial Park on Washington Avenue and 14th Street, commemorating the service and dedication of our veterans. The rain date is Nov. 9.

The Northampton Area Historical Society will continue the celebration by hosting a Veterans Day event Nov. 9 in the Northampton Area High School auditorium. This patriotic event will begin 1:30 p.m. with a rousing concert by the American Legion Band of Bethlehem. The program itself begins 2 p.m., with salutes to our armed service members and recognition of their service, along with more patriotic music.

I hope you’ll take the time to join me at these two reflective events. Our veterans certainly deserve your recognition and thanks for their years of service to our nation and community.

As the tree leaves continue to fall, the shorter sunlit days are upon us and Halloween is over. Now Christmastime planning and decorating starts to take hold around town. As you know, our annual Christmas tree lighting has moved to Lerchenmiller Drive, to the rear of the recreation center parking lot.

After a very spirited and successful, albeit slightly controversial, inaugural year, the borough office staff, though pleased with the relocation, wanted to take the event up a notch. This year’s tree lighting will be the event to top all the tree lightings you’ve ever seen in Northampton.

The borough of Northampton’s annual tree lighting and hometown holiday festival is scheduled for 1-7 p.m. Nov. 22. Join us as the recreation center parking lot transforms into a winter wonderland, celebrating the season with holiday cheer and community spirit. Know that this will be not your average tree-lighting event, but an overall festival to compliment the 5:30 p.m. tree lighting.

The festival will feature food and beverage trucks, craft vendors to assist you with Christmas gift ideas, games and activities for all ages and a kids’ craft tent featuring face painting, balloon animals and colorful supplies to create and send your letters to Santa Claus. Additionally, there will be the Horns and Hooves mini moos animals, a bounce house, live music, ballet dancers and plenty of hot chocolate.

Topping off the day, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting. They even brought along their photographer, ready to take your picture with them 4-7 p.m. What a great way to commemorate your family’s visit!

I want to compliment our borough manager and his staff for extending the scope of this event from a simple, one-hour tree lighting into this wonderfully creative and innovative six-hour event, bringing our community together to open the holiday season in style. Well done!

Lastly, I’m thinking about Thanksgiving. When I started this piece in gathering my thoughts, I did just as I suggested, taking that minute to reflect on all for which I’m thankful. It turned out to be a bigger list than I would normally have thought. I trust you’ll find the same, expanded list after your reflection.

As I’m finishing my fourth year as your mayor, the thankful list has exponentially grown with the addition of all my “new best friends” throughout town and the support I’ve received from you to assist me in building a better Northampton. I hope to continue this effort in the upcoming years.

Be thankful and look to assist those who may need that extra support or someone to lean on, making you the reason for which they are thankful.

To everyone, I wish you and your family a very blessed and enjoyable Thanksgiving celebration. See you at the hometown holiday festival!