This year had a somber undertone, the unmistakable impact of an extended period of high unemployment and a fairly stagnant economy.
While by many measures this community fared better than most in riding out the recession, the recent census data shows that over the past year hundreds more families slipped below the poverty line. Those above the line, even far above, were not immune to worry either. Although it was not the best of times, it brought out the best in many people and reminded us of this community’s great heart and strong spirit.
Unease about the future colored the year in politics and policy, challenging institutions and assumptions and forcing a reconsideration of long-planned projects in both the public and private sectors. Going forward, we’ll see next spring what will be reaped as a result of elections this past November.
In our annual Year in Review on pages 4 and 5 of this issue, we look at the hundreds of events — large, small, serious, light and just strange — that marked this year, and also feature some of our favorite photos of the year.
And on page 6, we recall some of the neighbors we lost along the way.
Have a wonderful New Year.
We’ll see you each Thursday in 2011.