As I write this, there’s a mass of limbs, pine cones and pinestraw piled in front of my house in Moultrie — one of many along my street. It isn’t even the largest. But it’s one of my personal mementos from Hurricane Michael.

Probably before you read this, the city will come with its clamshell and trailer and haul it away. That will be one more sign of the community returning to normal after the massive storm blew our way Oct. 10 and 11.

Michael left its mark on Colquitt County. Power was out for days. Phone service, internet, cable TV were all affected. But those are amenities. The real impact will be felt for years in the damage done to farms and agricultural businesses, the lifeblood of our local economy.

But that is not the whole story.

Through the storm and its aftermath, our community has pulled together to support one another. Sometimes, it’s our jobs: Some of the most popular people in town right now are utility linemen. Other times, its simply a reflection of the giving people that we are. Volunteers who ask for no recognition are helping to pull us through.

For this month’s cover story, we asked local residents, “What are you thankful for?” We hope their responses will restore some of your faith and courage, which perhaps were battered by the storm.

Day in and day out, Colquitt County has some special people. In this issue we profile two of them.

Mark McLean of Doerun was recognized earlier this year with the national Dog Handler of the Year award from Purina. He explains what he does and why he does it to writer Matthew Brown for a story in this issue.

Clint Kadel started selling knives by mail order at his grandmother’s kitchen table. Boy, has his company — BudK — really grown since then! Learn the whole story in Wayne Grandy’s article.

And don’t forget one of Colquitt County’s signature events: The Calico Arts and Crafts Show will take place Nov. 10 and 11 at Spence Field. Learn details in an article by Becca Turner, vice president of marketing and PR for the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition, which puts on the show.

Moultrie Scene and its parent publication, The Moultrie Observer profile the people, places, things and events that make Colquitt County special. If you have a suggestion for a story, contact me at 985-4545 or email kevin.hall@gaflnews.com.

Kevin C. Hall

Managing Editor

The Moultrie Observer and Moultrie Scene