BY: CLEO WEAVER, ABC KEYSTONE 2021 CHAIR OF THE BOARD

We are now in the month of November, and my mind is drawn to our traditional Thanksgiving holiday and the customs that surround this annual occasion. We all have memories of learning the history of the early Pilgrims and the indigenous people that lived here before the Pilgrims arrived. The history of America’s beginnings can bring a variety of opinions regarding how the history should be presented, but we can all agree we are thankful that history created early America, and we can be thankful for ABC.

Currently, there are certainly some challenges in America that test our feelings of gratitude – inflation is becoming a real issue, and we are dealing with a shortage of supplies and workers. It becomes difficult to keep our minds in the right place and to be thankful for the many positives that we do have in America. So, let me challenge all of us this month to keep our minds on the good things and give the ‘not so good things’ to our Heavenly Father, as He knows and sees everything.

Let us look at how we can give thanks this November:

Did you know that the week of November 15-21 is National Apprenticeship Appreciation Week? What a great time for us to celebrate and be thankful we have over 350 registered apprentices in our classes. Wow! That 350-registered-student metric has held steady with last year, and 2019 was a record-breaking year!

Now, here is a plug for those Heavy Equipment folks who love raw horsepower and the sound of a diesel digging dirt. New Heavy Equipment Operator classes begin in January 2022, and you still have time to be involved with the program! This year, we hope to have Level 1 and Level 2 classes running, so sign up your employees and ensure they learn how to safely operate that heavy equipment.

I know I’ve said it before, but I need to double-down on my thanks for Cindy DeWire, Director of Apprenticeship, and for all the instructors and staff that make our ABC Keystone Apprenticeship program one of the best in all of ABC. We are also extremely thankful for our Apprenticeship-sponsoring member companies who send and encourage these students with the needed professional and financial support to make the education possible. It is very fulfilling to see the ABC vision of a successful training program being realized right here in Central Pennsylvania. This is the “It” factor at work­ – let the appreciation roll!

“Happy National Apprenticeship Week…Let the appreciation roll!”

In November, we can also be thankful for our right to vote. This past election season gave us the opportunity to alter the direction of school boards and local governments – a critical piece of the grassroots efforts to make significant and effective changes for good. Sadly, many voters sit out the ‘off year’ elections, but that is not a good idea. This was our opportunity, as involved voters, to have a greater-than-normal influence on governance in our home communities, and it was very much needed this year. I hope you did not sit out this important election – be informed and be involved for future elections, because our future depends on it! Thank you for using your influence and your vote to change our nation for better. As someone wise once said, “All that is needed for evil to prosper is for good people to do nothing!”

I am so very grateful for all you do daily to make our world a better place.

Posted November 6, 2021