President’s Report

AMY LEON | SDML PRESIDENT

Christmas in South Dakota communities offers a special hometown feeling that I think we can be proud of. It seems to be dwindling in other places in the world, but we can still enjoy it if we open our hearts and Outlook calendars wide enough.

When I was the city manager in Canton, the season started with those bank open houses where you grab some krumkake, a cup of coffee, and next year’s sticky calendar for your dashboard. (If anybody has one, I could use a handful!)

In Yankton, we have a light parade and tree lighting ceremony with hot chocolate and fireworks. Our Optimist Club hosts kids’ activities and they decorate Riverside Park for the children.

Our neighbors offer some magic of the season, too. If you have never been to the Christmas carol sing-along at the Nora Store, you need to put that on your list—immediately. Many local churches host living nativities, and you can still find a cookie exchange with the madefrom-scratch peanut brittle and wreath-shaped butter cookies that almost no one makes anymore. Of course, I would be a complete Grinch if I didn’t mention Christmas at the Capitol. No place captures the wonder of the holiday season like this event.

What does Christmas look like in your community? Understandably, it is hard to fit holiday events in between pageants and family get-togethers. I get it. I challenge you to ask yourself, however, if you are not sharing goodwill at Christmas, what will you celebrate? Likewise, are you taking time to pause and observe the season with your fellow councilmembers and city staff? If your organization has an annual Christmas party, you should go. Even if you don’t want to. Go. It matters.

If you don’t have one, or gave it up, find someone to organize it. Even a potluck over a noon hour will do. It is important to your organization’s culture to mark the time and create space for your team to reflect on the year and have fun together. Acknowledge their loyalty and cooperation. Take a moment to recognize years of service or newcomers to your team. Recognize the family members of police officers who give up weekends with them to keep the rest of the community safe. Mention the drivers who cut their family festivities short to hop in snowplows so we all make it home safely.

A special person in my life once told me that Christmas is a time where we all act a little more like we should all year long. Put a deposit into the souls of others this holiday season. I guarantee you it is something you can withdraw all year round.

By the way, if you happen to see Santa in your town, put in a good word for me. I have a little explaining to do. Merry Christmas. ■