By the time you read this, Emmet County will look like a picture postcard from the past, complete with more snow than you can imagine.

You can either cuss it out, or relax and enjoy the coming of Christmas.

The Community Christmas was just one such event that showed the spirit of Christmas. Held early this month, the final count showed that 1,009 people benefitted from the project.

While those numbers would cause one pause to wonder about so many people needing help, at the same time, we have to be proud of our Estherville Area Ministerial Association and giving area residents for helping others. We're talking about a project that would challenge a significantly sized city. And yet Estherville was up to the challenge. Who says there are no longer miracles!

The Glenn Henriksen and Friends concert Sunday at Roosevelt Auditorium was another sign that Christmas time is right around the corner. Henriksen, as always, wowed the audience with his incredible repertoire. In addition, area musicians joined in to round out a great afternoon of entertainment.

Employees from Estherville Medical Clinic and Avera Holy Family Health, as well as the community at large, brought in more than 100 warm winter coats as well as caps and mittens to Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc., Monday afternoon, just in time for the holidays. Again, families in need can find help from their neighbors, something that just seems to come naturally in Estherville.

These are tough times. No one would argue that. But fortunately, we live in a community that wraps its arm around the less fortunate.

So here's to you and yours this Christmas. May it be merry and bright!