Gift packages are unwrapped, and holiday guests have headed home. The Christmas tree stands barren in the living room, with bits of ribbon and paper strewn underneath. Many of us will have to loosen our belts after eating too many cookies and treats and tighten our pocketbook in January to pay for all the holiday festivities and presents. We also had wonderful weather, with a blanket of fresh snow to adorn our Christmas morning.

Now, we can relax a bit before the New Year begins, and reflect on what has happened for the past 12 months, as well as contemplate what the future will bring. As I went through a pile of Mineral Independent papers to pull together my “Year in Review,” I was amazed on how much ground was covered, and all the events that happened in this little rural enclave.

In every issue, I try to cover news in each school, and each community, as well as events that impact the entire county. Over the course of the year, I met so many people and learned a lot about what it takes to keep our communities safe and functional.

There are hundreds of people who work behind the scenes, oftentimes without recognition for their services. Each town, whether it’s Alberton, Superior, St. Regis, Haugan or DeBorgia, has community service groups with volunteers who work countless hours. They provide many of the community holiday events including Easter eggs hunts, Fourth of July celebrations, the County Fair, Halloween carnivals. They honor local Veterans, and make sure families have presents on Christmas morning.

They provide food and clothing for families in need, and make sure our seniors have transportation and medical attention. Local fire departments and emergency responders are also comprised of volunteers. They are the crews who diligently get up in the middle of a cold night and attend to a fire, or car crash, or a medical emergency. They are on the front line when needed the most, but oftentimes are the last to receive a thank you.

We also have people who attend to the social ills that creep into the dark crevices of our little communities. They deal with issues such as drugs and alcohol abuse and child neglect and abuse. There are teachers, law enforcement officials, county commissioners, school and county staff and administrators, road workers, and hospital staff. They often go above and beyond the call of duty to make sure residents are taken care of and their needs are met.

Mineral County maybe one of the poorest counties in one of the poorest states in the nation. But it’s rich in humanity and integrity. Steeped in tradition which honors family and friends, with rituals as old as the county itself. Rituals which wraps an individual in a warm blanket of well-being and a strong sense of place and belonging.

Everyone who lives here has had the opportunity to wander through the mountains, cross the streams and rivers, breathe the clean pine-filled air, and witness the glory of a crimson sunset. It’s on these occasions when one realizes just how lucky they are to live in such a magnificent place.

As I travel up and down the corridor, I want to thank everyone for their hospitality in welcoming me into their homes, businesses and events in order to cover a story. It’s been an eventful and fun year, and I want to wish everyone a successful and fulfilling 2017.