May Your Days Be Merry & Bright

Finish the final few gift wrapping chores, arrange the cookies on the platters and let the festivities begin! It's time to take a step back, review the past year and reflect on the blessings we share. Although most of us feel as though we were just setting out our fall decorations, Halloween passed by in a blur of costumed cuteness and scary ghost pumpkins shining ghoulish faces on passersby. While we were stocking our candy containers, the Christmas and Hannukah decorations began appearing on store shelves, the carols began to play over the PA and pumpkins were replaced with reindeer and jolly snowmen decked in winter finery.

The year was sliding to a close and the local merchants were hopeful of a successful holiday season, especially with the national push to shop locally. The national effort to promote Small Business Saturday proved very effective and we are glad to see our local merchants benefit from the carryover from Black Friday shopping adventures.

We are also grateful that our weather has continued to be warm and wonderful. Although we dodged the hurricane season's full fury, we saw the winds and rains of Hurricane Irene swoop down on our area and snap off pinecones, palm branches and small shrub branches. Fortunately for Southeastern North Carolina, the floods and damaging waters went farther north to New England and we were able to return to our normal lifestyles without too much interruption.

Along with dodging the Hurricane Irene, we were able to enjoy our beaches for more days each month of the Fall of 2011. The warm sun, and still balmy breezes allowed us to keep our beach chairs handy and fish while sunning at the beach. We're grateful for the extended Fall weather and hope the mildness of this season continues into the New Year.

Gratitude extends to each and every visitor and resident for making each day bright with friendly greetings, warm sunny smiles and happy optimistic outlooks. We hope this continues to shine from one and all throughout these holidays and extends long into the New Year.

We wish you the merriest, happiest and most special holiday season, and may all your wishes come true.