“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”

The author of that quote is Oprah Winfrey, which may surprise some of you, as she seems to have a lot. But, as we all know, money isn’t the answer to every problem. In fact, it is rarely a real cure for the challenges our world throws at us. Sometimes, too much money can even be a curse, as we often see in the lives of many of the rich and famous who, unfortunately, are attracted to an overabundance of drugs, alcohol, gambling and deceit.

My dad offered me advice similar to Oprah’s quote. He said, “Don't ever take a job just for the money, because you will always want more money, regardless of how much you are paid.”

Of course, money is important, as we need it to buy many of the things we must have to survive. But both Dad and Oprah are right, and I am reminded of this often — especially during Thanksgiving week.

The industry I chose to work in doesn’t allow for a lot of time off, as we still have deadlines to meet so the printing presses can roll on time. When we do have a holiday, that simply means we have to complete five days of tasks in four days. And when the bulk of our employees want additional time off around the holidays, that means even more work needs to be completed in less time for those of us who are working. I am not complaining. In the words of Bruce Hornsby, that’s just the way it is.

When I shared this week’s deadlines with our staff, I said if this doesn't give you anxiety, I don’t know what will. But, we somehow manage to make it work, just like so many before us have done. Our industry is not alone. Most of you reading this who work in the private sector don’t have people lined up to do your tasks while you are out, and your business doesn’t close or get put on hold while vacations or holidays happen either. Just ask a farmer.

But when Wednesday afternoon rolls around and all of our stories are edited, all of our customers’ ads are approved, and all of our pages are proofed and sent to press, we take a deep breath… and smile.

We are thankful for our jobs and our co-workers and our customers, and we truly appreciate the opportunity to bring you the Daily Umbrella and all our Big Green Umbrella Media publications.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families, and, as always, I thank you for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

See Shane Goodman's past columns here.

BOOK REVIEW
‘That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America’

By Amanda Jones
8/27/24
288 pages
$20.99
Bloomsbury Publishing

Book banning is an appalling stain on our society, and this book is a light, showing just how much damage it can do — and how to fight it. A one-time librarian of the year, working in the same school system she once attended, is viciously attacked by the same community that raised her in this short but powerful memoir.

A record of intense bullying and a campaign of abuse wasn’t enough to bring down Amanda Jones. She refused to let any of her students be disenfranchised by the fear and lies that flew through her town when censorship took over her library. This important book details her battles, her journey of self-discovery, and the lengths she was willing to go to in order to protect the right to read for those who couldn’t speak for themselves. ...

On the map
Landmarks add to the community’s character.

By Becky Kolosik

A tree for the community
Since 2012, the “Tree of Life” has been a focal point of Indianola’s Sesquicentennial Park. If you’ve driven past the large steel structure located near City Hall and don’t know the story behind it, you’re not alone. Like any landmark, the Tree of Life plays a pivotal role in nurturing a sense of belonging and pride in our community.

The project was a collaborative effort that started in November 2011 between the Indianola Fine Arts Commission (now the Indianola Public Arts Commission), Indianola Park Friends (no longer in existence), and the Parks and Recreation Commission.

...

These celebrities were born on this date: Bill Nye, Elizabeth Marvel, Jaleel White, Kathryn Bigelow, Lashana Lynch, Robin Givens, William Fichtner, Allison Pill, Caroline Kennedy, Charlie Benante, Twista

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to the last riddle: What do you get if you divide the circumference of a bowl of ice cream by its diameter? PI-ala-mode! - Carolyn Rogers, Irving Stone, Gail Tomlinson, William Snyder, Mark Willems. Other answers by Rex Post.

Today's riddle: Why couldn’t the cranberry go to the Thanksgiving party?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or West Des Moines/Jordan Creek, Waukee or Norwalk  Living magazines, contact:

Martha Munro
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 314
Mobile: 515-321-5246
martha@iowalivingmagazines.com

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