Three years ago, I'd never have dreamed Saxapahaw would require over forty people to provide its food and drink. Yet, surely as I write this, Saxapahaw General Store and The Eddy Pub, the village's sister food spots, employ about forty-five cooks, servers, runners, bartenders, cashiers, stocking dishers, merchandisers, wine tasters, garden mavens, kitchen wizards, table makers, and a bean counter (me). We also keep several local farmers running to produce chickens, goats, pigs and cows to satisfy what I have noticed from the bills is a growing hunger for local meat. I am delighted by these facts, and I share them because Monday last we had occasion to celebrate holiday season with our forty-some-odd colleagues and their guests in The Eddy over a Thanksgiving style meal Jeff prepared for us--using some meat given us by Suzanne Nelson of Cozi Farm, the closest in proximity to us of our farmer partners (she's close enough to us that once our lead line cook ran across the street mid-service to help her get a cow unstuck from a shade contraption). Monday's supper delighted me--in small part because of the braised turkey and the delightful cranberry-apple crisp I enjoyed, but mostly for more than fifty staff and friends who joined us to celebrate for the evening. I spent most of the evening that night marveling at our good fortune to have the group of folks we do working with us. It's a mystery why folks are drawn to a place to work, but it's clear that businesses can only thrive when they are joined by people who willingly and caringly offer their gifts to their work. As we grow, the gifts we receive from our colleagues have allowed a greater breadth of vision for our business than I could have imagined--and they just keep coming. This harvest season, thanks be to the people with whom I work in Saxapahaw. Your efforts make my life's work possible; my cup runneth over. -Cameron

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