Willem Lange’s column last week got me to contemplating the connection he made between religious celebrations at this time of year and the return of daylight after the winter solstice; Saturday, Dec. 21, this year.
At a time of divisive political rhetoric, it seems worthwhile to remember that the sun affects us all and, in that way, at least, we are all more similar than different. Longer days help us weather weather that will get winterier and colder before it begins to warm with the approach of spring.
Here at The Hardwick Gazette we do our best to include, and treat fairly, all of the perspectives our community members are willing to share (and even those we have to spend a little more time to find from those who are reluctant to share them.)
What that means is, everyone has a voice here and you are welcome to share them with us in letters to the editor, longer opinion pieces, news articles or private comments to us.
As our first nonprofit year comes to a close, we thank you all for being readers and supporters in whatever way you make that known.
Resurrecting the holiday tradition a former editor used this last column of the year for, I offer our hosts in the Greensboro Town Hall, a wish for mold-free town offices and a peaceful population.
In Hardwick, may the road crew have a year without a washout and Opie get high-speed internet on West Hill.
We wish for Wolcott the end to its wastewater woes and for the Woodbury Select Board, a year without a refrigerator on Route 14 or windshield chips.
For Cabot, we wish for a post office employee to open the building each morning and do with mail what’s supposed to happen with mail.
To Plainfield, we wish the benevolent new owner of the Goddard College campus be everything he appears to be, and more.
May Marshfield’s maps all lead to the Stranahan Town Forest and the East Calais Community Trust find a new project that becomes as successful as the general store.
Our wish is for fresh snow to frequently fall upon the Craftsbury Outdoor Center and that Stannard’s streets stay permanently passable.
In Walden we wish washouts on the rail trail are no longer a permanent make-work project.
And for everyone else, may your new year be happy and bright.
Paul Fixx, editor
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
