To the editor:

At this time of year, it is traditional to think of things we are thankful for. Over the past couple of weeks I have experienced several reasons to be thankful for living in a small town environment. It is a place where people go out of their way to help each other and treat each other as a real person. I would like to relate a few of these experiences.

I needed to buy a book and have it delivered to my daughter’s home in Boise, Idaho before Thanksgiving to get it delivered to my grandson, who does not have a regular address right now but will be visiting her for Thanksgiving. I tried Amazon without success but went to The Bookstore Plus in Lake Placid. The staff worked with me and said that they would do everything to get it sent directly from their supplier to Boise before Thanksgiving. It arrived two days later in plenty of time. Working with a live person where I could explain my dilemma made it all possible.

I went shopping at the local Price Chopper and was going to purchase one package of an item but when I got to the checkout, the cashier suggested I could get two for the price of one and let me go back for the second one.

I needed to handle some banking that required my signature on a form. I said I would stop by to sign it and the bank office said to let him know when I arrived and he would try to stop by to say hi. He did and made me feel like I had a “personal banker.”

I made two significant purchases in the past month. One will not require delivery until spring, but by making the purchase now, I was able to take advantage of significant discounts. They said no problem, they would hold my purchase in their warehouse until I needed delivery for no additional charge and the final payment would not be needed until delivery. The other required no down payment until delivery and the salesman worked with me every step of the way. While I am still awaiting the final piece of the delivery, I am very happy with the service.

All in all, I just wanted to say thank you to the many outstanding salespeople and others that I encounter on a regular basis. It is a big part of what makes living in a smaller community so enjoyable. It is that friendly service and recognition of me as a customer that makes such a difference. The big box stores may offer a better deal on some things but they can not match the personal touch of the small business owner and staff. Let us all be grateful and be sure to visit our local businesses as much as we can during and after this busy shopping season.

David Welch, MD

Lake Placid