Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the Shepherdstown community!

I want to thank everyone who provided the effort to make our town’s Christmas celebration and parade a great success.

Eric Sevareid once said, “Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we are here for something else besides ourselves.” When thinking of our town, I know that we try to make every day feel like Christmas — we are a giving and forgiving community.

I will recommend these Christmas gift suggestions put forth by Oren Arnold, a journalist. “Give to your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all men and women, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.” These are wonderful and powerful presents that, if given, will provide sustenance to our beloved Shepherdstown.

As your mayor, I desire to give our town hope. I hope to see Shepherdstown continue to maintain its sense of community, preservation and love of our history, love of our neighbors and standing together to protect the virtues we consider dear.

Thanks to all of you for your support! I am proud to be your mayor, and wish you all to have a happy holiday season. And when you encounter one of our Town Council members, community volunteers and our dedicated Corporation of Shepherdstown employees, make sure to wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, as well!

Mayor Jim Auxer