To all of the candidates running for office in Mount Airy, Dobson, Pilot Mountain, across the border in Virginia, and in all the area communities.

No matter whether these candidates are seeking office to serve their own personal agendas, or to fully serve the public, they are putting their names on the line in taking an active part in the democratic process that is so dear to America.

It is up to the voters to decide who is the best candidate in any given race, and to then work with the winners, but it is the candidates who put their time and money and effort and energy into the race. It is particularly gratifying to see six candidates running for two seats in Dobson, and originally four (now down to two) seeking the mayor’s post in Mount Airy.

*****

To all the area officials, business people, and volunteers who made Thursday’s ceremony naming the Donna Fargo Highway a success. It is not often a community has someone from their ranks who has achieved a level of fame and success that warrants having a state road named in their honor, and Fargo is certainly deserving of this honor.

To see so many local people work to bring this about is a testament to the community and how much it takes care of its own.

*****

To all area foster parents. November is National Adoption Month, and while not all foster parents adopt children they watch over, they should be praised all the same.

Being a foster parent is a difficult task. There are disruptions to the normal routine of life. There are kids who are strangers to the foster parents now in their home, depending upon them. There are demands of classwork and background checks, and difficulties dealing sometimes with children who are, themselves, having to work through some difficult times.

But foster parents do this simply because they want to offer love and support, hope and a safe haven to the children placed in their charge.