Early this week, political powerhouse AARP named Lewiston among its list of “10 Great Small Cities for Retirement.”

The listing was based on the elder advocacy group’s evaluation of cities that combine “the energy and excitement of cosmopolitan life with the charm and neighborliness of a small town.”

Also on the list is picturesque Athens, Ga., and nearby Portsmouth, N.H., so Lewiston is in good company.

And, although some have scoffed at Lewiston’s inclusion on the list, the AARP recognition is genuine.

The nonprofit organization generates a lot of Top 10 lists, including evaluations of desirable towns for employment, health and well-being, because its involved and active membership demands this kind of analysis.

Lewiston’s reputation has taken a beating over the years, usually from people who don’t live and work here, but this noteworthy nod from AARP is deserved. The crime rate here is less than other small cities, housing is affordable, there are arts and entertainment options available in museums, galleries and on stage throughout the year, and — for those who like to be outdoors — there’s plenty to do.

Whether retired, or not.

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Cheers to the generosity of residents in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties and elsewhere across Maine where hundreds of people turned out to help serve and deliver Thanksgiving meals to their friends and neighbors.

For weeks, food pantries, churches and community service organizations have accepted donations and organized food deliveries to help Maine’s neediest families, and the community Thanksgiving celebrations began early in the week, including a well-attended buffet-style meal served at the Hope House Family Support Center in Lewiston on Wednesday.

It was the 15th anniversary of this holiday meal, and well attended despite that day’s driving snowstorm.

On Thursday, dozens of local pantries, service clubs, veterans’ organizations and churches hosted meals, dining in shared fellowship.

It was truly a day of thanksgiving.

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In Little Rock, Ark., on Black Friday, dozens of Walmart shoppers pushed and shoved each other to claim a $2 waffle maker. It was a riot.

Not a riotous party, but a riot of screaming people stomping each other over access to a kitchen appliance.

OK. This particular waffle maker was truly a bargain, and it does make two waffles at the same time, which is pretty cool when you’re feeding a crowd. But, we have to wonder what drives people to knock each other down to buy a $2 item in the “spirit of giving.”

One woman, who dove into the crowd to grab two waffle makers, came away with two boxes but nearly lost her pants in the tussle.

That’s not bargain shopping. That’s just plain ridiculous.

Fortunately, although there was some tension in Skowhegan when Walmart shoppers showed up at 10 p.m. Thursday but couldn’t get into the store until midnight, we don’t see this kind of nonsense in Maine.

Maybe that’s because we value people over possessions, no matter how enticing a sale might be.

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The opinions expressed in this column reflect the views of the ownership and editorial board.