Wednesday marked the four-week point before the opening day of this year's version of the Wonderland of Lights.

This time of year always becomes "crunch" time. Much remains to be done and there are almost always too few people to do the work.

You can help change that.

Marshall Festivals needs more bodies at this time of year between now and the opening on Nov. 25, the evening before Thanksgiving. There are several ways you can accomplish this.

One way is to simply call Jill Crocker at Marshall Festivals \— the number is 903-935-7868 \— and put your name is as someone who can volunteer.

Ms. Crocker is fairly busy these days, so you might have to leave a message. When you do so you might mention what you can participate in and when, along with a return telephone number.

Another way is through the Loaned Executive Program, where by volunteers are able to come during work hours \— and still get paid by your employer \— to help out.

Ask your boss if your company takes part in the Loaned Executive Program and, if it doesn't, suggest that it would be a good and relatively cheap way to connect with the community, plus get some good karma going for you in the community.

Businesses that help out are remembered favorably in the community. Marshall folks don't forget things like that.

Finally, if you can't give of your time \— and we know some people cannot \— there is always the power of the checkbook to help get things done.

We're sure Ms. Crocker can help you with any size contribution you would like to make, the bigger the better, obviously.

Remember that the Wonderland of Lights should be, first and foremost, for the people of Marshall and Harrison County. Those of us who live here never failed to be marveled nightly as we pass the courthouse and various neighborhoods that are lighted.

But the festival brings a great many visitors, too, and we want to welcome them to our town in a positive way. We'd like to everyone to do their part. Really, it isn't that difficult.

If you cannot do anything to help the general effort then at least you can work to make your own home enjoyable to look at. We hope this would include lighting your house and yard, but it does not have to. Merely cleaning up can make a world of difference to someone passing by.

It tells all those who see it that the person living there cares about their home and city.

Not only that, but we would guess it would improve your own mood as well.

There is one thing else you can do: Spruce up your attitude. Again, this is not just for the sake of visitors, but for all those around you. Remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas and put the real spirit of the season into everything you do.

Be more kind, show more compassion, be more tolerant of others' faults, show more respect to all those you meet. If you do this you will probably see a great return on your "investment"

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, now let's work to make it look that way and to make the feeling complete.