I want to publicly thank my young neighbor, Owen Tolve, for his helpfulness and generosity in helping me to shovel my driveway last weekend. I understand that this was done in part as an act of community service for his high school, so I give a separate shout out to that school for promoting acts of service in its students. I thank Owen (and his family, who also joined in) for keeping my dear elderly mother, our caregiver, and myself safe and our driveway clear during that period.

I also want to thank the lady who rescued me at the Old Saybrook Post Office this morning with that tape dispenser as I struggled to assemble a box of gifts to send to my sister in California. I’m sorry I didn’t stop to get her name, but I am most grateful for her thoughtfulness and generosity as well. May she receive many blessings this holiday season.

Valerie Smith

Old Saybrook