I have never been able to catch the person who removes the snow in front of the Mountaineer until recently. I know several different individuals who do this service, and I've never been able to catch anyone. This time it was Raymond Courtnage. I asked if I could take his picture, and he said, "Sure, no one will know it's me anyway." Thank you, Raymond.

I watched as the volunteer crew removed all the snow from the football field. I'm not sure I got everyone, and there is always the chance when listing names that someone is missed, but I know of these: Rick Darlington, Dave Swarzbach, Raymond/Rodney Courtnage, and Don Robertson. If I missed anyone, I thank you too.

Both just made my day, so I thought, why not make it a Thanksgiving Challenge each year to do seven acts of kindness? I will start this Wednesday and end the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

The phrase "random acts of kindness" is spoken over and over. And I often try to be kind, but the business of life often takes away any spontaneity. So why not plan it? I know that a random act of kindness is usually non premeditated or is supposed to be.

"Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty" was written by Anne Herbert on a placemat in Sausalito, California, in 1982. She later wrote a book, Random Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty, published in February 1993, telling true stories of acts of kindness. It's a children's book with animal characters doing various acts to help others.

So wouldn't it be awesome to get children involved by asking them to practice random acts of kindness? I think we have a community that cares about others and often does acts of kindness, but Thanksgiving time seems to be the perfect time to reach out to a neighbor or a business that always gives.