OLAFFUBSEZ: According to critic and naturalist Joseph Wood Krutch, born on this date in 1893, “Security depends not so much upon how much you have, as upon how much you can do without.”

A Time for Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is a special time For friends and family To thank and praise our God of love For all He’s given thee.

We thank Him for our loved ones And for friends we hold most dear And for the freedom given us Which keeps us from all fear.

For men who fought in battles dark That peace may ever reign. So many lives were sacrificed For freedom’s right to gain.

One day of peace we set aside For blessings all year through, Remembering and thanking God For all things born anew.

So bend a knee and bow a head And let your voices raise To God above for blessings pure

In thankfulness and praise. —Doris V. Neumann

COMING TOGETHER— As they’ve done for the past five years, three parishes in Cheektowaga’s Cleveland Hill-Kensington- Eggert neighborhood will unite for a Thanksgiving Eve ecumenical prayer service at 7 p. m. tonight. This year it will be hosted by St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 81 Burke Drive at Huntley Road, joined by St. Aloysius Gonzaga Catholic Church and Cleveland Hill United Methodist Church.

Pastors of all three churches will participate. Those attending are asked to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the food pantry run by Sister Maryann Kolb at St. Aloysius. A reception will follow.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS— The Eighth District Federated Garden Clubs of New York State is offering a scholarship that will give youths a week at a state Department of Environmental Conservation Camp next summer learning about forestry, aquatic life and general ecology. Those ages 12 to 14 would attend Camp Rushford near Rushford Lake in Allegany County. Those 15 to 17 would attend the Pack Forest area near the Hudson River. Deadline for applications is Monday. Call 684-1289 for information.

MAN-MADE MARVELS— Looking for a way to avoid the shopping malls on Black Friday? Preservation Buffalo Niagara has an alternative plan—tours of landmarks in downtown Buffalo.

The first—Queen City Downtown— starts at 10 a. m. from the Visitors Center, 617 Main St. It’s $10, $5 for students, and includes a lot of interior spaces. At noon, there’s a visit to Buffalo City Hall, an Art Deco masterpiece, and a trip to the observation deck on top. Meet in the lobby. It’s free.

Finally, from 2 to 4 p. m. there’s a rare chance to take a look at the first, second and 13th floors of Louis Sullivan’s Guaranty Building at Pearl and Church streets.

Architectural historian Martin Wachadlo will provide commentary. Refreshments will be served. Nearby St. Paul’s Cathedral also will be open for tours. It’s $20, $10 for Preservation Buffalo Niagara members. Join the organization and get two free tickets. For registration and info, call 852-3300.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY— Otis K. Goodwin, Joe Walter, Victor D. Crews, Sallye C. Chapman, Rhetter L. Hall, Hayley Safe, Pam Sacco, Helen Noblett, Nelson Starr, Brian Zakrzewski, Bob Kresconko, Zak Ziemba, Father Jack Ledwon, Greg Halt, Ted Majeski, Lucas Maciejewski, Mary Ellen Buckley, Peggy Matwijko, Sister Joann Boneski, Janice Emblidge, Eva Schmidt, Tom Dolan, Anne Neville, David Sipos, Danielle Fleckenstein and John P. Lazrus.

AND THURSDAY— Glenn Hoffman, Mary Beth Sinnott, Patricia E. Kelley, Brian Zakrzewski, Taylor Baldwin, Erin Lindner, Carol Gajkowski, Lois Shattuck, Patricia Martinez, Jason Cornwall, Neil Milks, Diane Maher, Daelyn Leatherland, Philip Walters, Jorge L. Collado, Jean Sullivan, Zoe Nazratil and Judy O’Leary.