Southport Magazine

In celebration of Small Business Saturday on November 28th, we invited local business owners to gather at Greenlands Farms in Bolivia.

It was a special evening as we gave thanks to all that support our local economy. It was a joyful gathering of friends that felt more like family. We even got to meet some of Greenlands farm’s furry residents. I, personally, have never had a glass of wine with a llama and I was thrilled!!!

John F. Kennedy said, “As we express our gratitude… we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” I like this quote; I try to keep it where I can see it all year long. Sitting around a beautifully decorated table with family and friends, talking about what we are thankful for is easy. Martha Stewart guides us each year to come up with activities and decorations for just this occasion, but what about the rest of the year? Showing gratitude is something worth doing every day.

I love November, because (for at least 30 days), thankfulness and gratitude are on everyone’s mind. No one needs reminding and fewer things tend to be taken for granted. It’s a time of year when gathering as many people as possible around the dinner table is seen as a blessing, not an inconvenience. It’s a time when we are reminded that friends are really the same as family and family is the most important thing we have. The time spent together is intentional. Maybe because we are so busy, but mostly because we are taking the time to show them how grateful we are to have them in our lives.

I also love November because I can feel the Holiday season building like the crescendo in Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite! The streets are lively, the shops are bustling and you get this feeling like something really big is happening! This time of year your schedules are filling up and Southport Magazine is here to make sure you don’t miss anything. Look inside for events that are guaranteed to fill your holiday season with joy and don’t forget to shop local and support our local economy!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!  ~ Jen