10 Things I'm Thankful for in Westminster

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it's time to share what we're thankful for. Below is a list of 10 things I'm thankful for in Westminster and Carroll County.

I want to hear from you. Comment below with what you're thankful for. Share your stories in the spirit of the holiday and we'll feature them on Thanksgiving Day.

10. I'm thankful for my "offices away from home". I spend a lot of time Patching at , J Cafe and . The wi-fi is great, the music is usually good and the food is yummy.

9. I'm thankful for the Arts Council that has not only taught my 7-year-old daughter how to paint and act on stage, but regularly brings interesting and unique entertainment and art to Main Street Westminster.

8. I'm thankful for ice cream store. I grew up living just down the street from Hoffman's and walked there every day over the summer with my siblings and cousins to buy candy with the change our grandfather gave us. My first job was serving ice cream at Hoffman's, and now I love taking my kids for a scoop whenever the whim strikes us.

7. I'm thankful for Mrs. Mauer, Mr. Holt, Mrs. Berry and Mrs. Kelly. These were a few of my English teachers at and they not only taught me about style, structure and voice, but they inspired me to follow my writing aspirations.

6. I'm thankful for the robust network of human services and nonprofit organizations that support thousands of individuals and families throughout the county every single day. Dedicated staff members and volunteers make these organizations work, supporting people in everything from dealing with cancer, to accessing medical care to raising money for scholarships and feeding the hungry.

5. I'm thankful for the . As a mom, the variety and diversity of educational programs they offer throughout the year irreplaceable. I used to walk to the library after school when I was a student at . I took my own kids there for educational programs when they were younger and to borrow books (ok, and video games) and now I visit occasionally to find a quiet place to work or to jump on the internet.

4. I'm thankful for back deck where I enjoy catching up with friends.

3. I'm thankful for . I realized a sense of independence and appreciation for nature when I attended Outdoor School there in sixth grade. Today it represents a place of solace and peace and offers some of my best memories of my mom. Just two years ago a memorial was dedicated to my mom at Hashawha.

2. I'm thankful for the strong spirit of education in Carroll County. The is recognized throughout the state. The educators, in spite of not receiving pay raises for years, continue to inspire and teach our children. And in addition to the public schools and several top notch private schools, we also have two colleges -- Carroll Community and McDaniel. We are blessed in Westminster and Carroll County to have such resources in academia.

1. I'm thankful for the "community" that exists in Westminster. Whether it's the academic community, the arts community, the business community, the nonprofit community or individual citizens, I have seen first hand the commitment to work together for the good of all. We have seen this in clean-up projects with the colleges, at Fallfest to benefit local charities, at holiday parades down Main Street, at sold-out school events, and the list goes on. When I was growing up, Westminster was a bit more "small town" than it is now, there has been a fair amount of growth in the past two decades. But at the end of the day, the commitment to our roots remains strong -- family, agriculture, local business, faith.

So much to be thankful for! Your turn, what are you thankful for?