Top Ten Things to be Thankful for in Longmont

Lots of people will be glad to let you know what's wrong with Longmont. Today on Thanksgiving, here's my top ten list of things to be thankful for, in no particular order.

1. The Longmont Library. Accessible, friendly, and full of great resources. Moms from Boulder, Louisville, and Erie bring their kids here, just because of the great kids section, and the programs.
   
   
2. Volunteers. Having lived many other places, Longmont seems to have a disproportionate number of people who volunteer their time to make this a better place. Sixty volunteers at today's annual Thanksgiving dinner at Old Chicago (with Our Center) is just one of many wonderful examples.
   
   
3. Climate. Four distinct seasons but not strictly sequential in the calendar year, or necessarily aligned with with other parts of the country. Abundant sunshine comes with all four.
   
   
4. Downtown Parades. Keep 'em coming. Next one is on December 12.
   
   
5. The Greenway. Always getting better. Thanks to City leadership, past and present, for the initial investment and the continuing growth of this crown jewel.
   
   
6. Geography. Mountains just to the west, the plains to the east. Unlimited opportunities to explore.
   
   
   
7. Our Parks. In the cool shade of Thompson Park on a summer scorcher, or in the brilliant sunshine on a crisp winter day around McIntosh Lake, I'm thankful that city founders set aside these sites for us to enjoy.
   
   
8. History. It's everywhere you look, and Longmont has a lot of stories to tell.
   
   
9. The Earth. Longmont's got some of the best soil around for growing things, helped by the St. Vrain and Left Hand Creek; a point not lost on our original settlers. The story is much different in some other Front Range cities.
   
   
10. A Real Town. Longmont doesn't empty out during the daytime, we have a downtown, visible boundaries [yes, a point of contention these days], and a symphony.
    

Many honorable mentions, including afford-ability, schools, employers, and microbrews.