Editorial: Traditions

One happens this afternoon, when leaders of our business community and our agricultural community gather for the annual Farm-City Barbecue.

It's a Naples-Immokalee tradition that has survived four decades, dating back to when Collier County's population was less than one-tenth of what it is today and when the term "city" was loosely applied.

The first barbecue was held in 1963 to pay tribute to the farmers who put the food on Thanksgiving tables. Over the years, this annual get-together the day before Thanksgiving was a way to highlight the important role agriculture plays in the economy of Southwest Florida, which arguably serves as the winter vegetable capital of the nation.

Another pre-Thanksgiving tradition occurred on Monday of this week.

Members of the Education Foundation of Collier County surprised 17 public school teachers and their students with checks ranging from $100 to $1,900.

The annual surprise visit the week of Thanksgiving rewards teachers who have designed creative learning projects for their students, but who have lacked the items needed to launch the special activities.

These traditions encourage farming and teaching, two important professions that bear mentioning tomorrow when we give thanks.