Turmoil. Dissent. Chaos. Destruction. Corruption. And the list goes on filling the news, airwaves and social media with bad news.

My husband used to frequently ask, “Can’t we all just get along?” To which I frequently replied, “There are no headlines in getting along.”

As I was editing the stories for this week’s edition, I was struck by something very unusual in our town that dispelled my frequent reply.

This week we have Teri Nehrenz’s story about 1,000 Flags Over Mesquite celebrating its 10th year. Mesquite’s Exchange Club volunteers go to great lengths to sponsor this week-long event honoring veterans and others who’ve sacrificed their all for the good of our country. It wouldn’t be possible if Mesquite didn’t care enough to visit the display and support its cause.

Al Litman wrote a letter of thanks for the help he received in organizing Mesquite’s Veterans Day parade. It wouldn’t have been possible without volunteers and the community supporting it.

Burton Weast has a story this week about the Veterans Memorial service that took place last Saturday morning. It was a beautiful ceremony made all the more special by our volunteer veterans who work very hard on it every year.

Nehrenz also has a story about the Vienna Boys Choir concert before a sold-out crowd last Saturday night. The choir’s appearance was made possible by volunteers from the Greater Mesquite Arts Foundation and the whole arts community who worked tirelessly for six months. But those who donated money and businesses who purchased ads also helped make the event memorable for Mesquite. Aside from ticket sales, GMAF raised more than $10,000 in donations most of which will go right back into the community to promote and support even more awesome events that will enrich our lives in Mesquite.

Aptly titled “Beyond Blessed” is a story by Stephanie Frehner recounting the Mesquite Fire Department’s presentation of a check for $2,420.87 to Yoli Bell and the Mesquite Cancer Help Society. The funds were gathered during the Fire Department’s “Pink Boot Drive.” At the end of that article, Bell announced the Cancer Society had also received nearly $3,400 raised during a pancake breakfast and Zumbathon in late October. All of the money and effort came from people in Mesquite who care.

We have a story on the Lucky 13 Raffle going on this month at the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery. The primary purpose of the raffle is to fund scholarships for Virgin Valley High School seniors who intend to pursue advanced studies in a profession that requires art training. This past May, the artists association gave three VVHS graduates $2,000 scholarships each. All from money generated by Mesquite’s big heart.

The Mesquite Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Eureka Community Initiative raised $1,467 for the Mesquite Reads program at their Nov. 7 book sale at the Mesquite Library. People who love to read also like to support important ventures like Mesquite Reads whose sole mission is to help young children learn one of the most important tasks in their lives.

We have articles about the Elks Club, the Mesquite United Methodist Church women’s annual bake sale, the Harvest Day Festival from last Saturday, the upcoming 19th Annual Festival of Trees sponsored by the Mesquite Arts Council, and volunteer Mesquite Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.).

All of these events, organizations, donations and fundraisers are all possible because Mesquite has a huge heart.

To defy the old adage, yes there are headlines in us getting along. Mesquite’s generous community proved it this week.