I hope I only have good news to report at this time next week. As we go to press, the noontime inauguration is pending. Four grim years of being put through the wringer have cautioned me to expect the worst. But with Joe and Kamala at the helm for the next four or eight years I am hoping for a renaissance of wonder.

The fact that parents, teachers, school staff, administration, and the students themselves have worked together to keep education going is commendable. That speaks volumes about what our systems in place mean to us.

The spike in Covid-19 cases at our hospital is worrisome. The spaces left available at hospitals are few. I am hoping the healing can begin, the case load lessened.

I hope everyone wears a mask and avoids gatherings. After what has felt like a nuclear winter,  I am ready for hope and evolving roles to protect our people and this planet.

Carrie Camillo Tankard gives thanks all who participated in the annual Martin Ltheuther King Day NAACP virtual membership drive. If you forgot to get your renewal in, contact Carrie.

The times we have endured are so momentous. I suggest you join Justen Ahren for his spring Zoom writers’ workshop at the Noepe Center for Literary Arts. Justin will address cultivating a writing practice. The course runs from April 15 to May 1 on Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. I can just bet you are holding in a lot of things you need to say.

The birthday bandwagon pulled along Jesse Weiner on Jan. 18; Elizabeth Blair celebrated on Jan. 20; and on Jan. 25 Holly Nadler and Juli Blackwell take the cake. Many happy returns.