Happy Thanksgiving, friend! Today, I want to give my deepest gratitude to this wonderful team that is committed to building a better future for all of us. I couldn’t do any of this without you. Thank you.

Like many of you, we’re having a quiet Thanksgiving in the Welch/Cheney household. This year, it’s just Margaret and me getting takeout from one of our favorite restaurants, Carpenter & Main. We love celebrating with family and friends over a turkey dinner, but during a pandemic the best thing to do is to keep them all safe and healthy by staying physically apart.

As COVID-19 cases surge nationwide, and in Vermont, staying home and following health guidance is an act of love and respect for our community. And I know Vermonters will continue to show up for each other, because that’s what we’ve done throughout this pandemic. We beat back the virus’ spread in the spring by following the science and taking care of each other, and with cases rising, we need to step up once again.

Giving up time with our loved ones is tough, but I urge you to please celebrate safely this holiday season. Looking back, we’ll be so grateful that we protected each other. And celebrating from a distance does not mean we need to be emotionally distant from one another—please check in and stay connected with your loved ones and neighbors throughout this difficult time.

We all must do our part to make sure we’re staying safe. If you’re looking for some best practices, check out the Vermont Department of Health’s official recommendations.

Thank you,
Peter