Opinion : Happy New Year!

I will be taking off on Friday and Monday over the New Year holiday. No, I won't be flying off to some exotic location or doing anything spectacular. I'll be working, but not on anything that you will see on the website.

There won't be an outbound email on either of these days. However, I'll probably still be plugging information onto the site. If something urgent comes across my desk, I will of course, put the information out there, and share it on Vinton Today's Facebook page...if it's REALLY urgent then I'll zap it out in an email!

I want to take a minute to thank all of the advertisers here on Vinton Today. Most of the year, I have my head down and am working on the news part, which includes answering all kinds of emails, phone calls and messages that arrive. But to my readers, understand that this website wouldn't be possible without the kind and generous support of the advertisers. Any time that you stop in to one of these businesses, or communicate with them, take a second and say, "hey, thank you for supporting Vinton Today!" THESE are the folks, and they are all local, that keep the lights on, the internet bill paid and they put gas in the car so that you have something to read. They are the reason that you are here reading this.

Thank you to all of you who support Vinton Today. I get to talk to all of the people that this site reaches. Most are here in town. There are some that I talk to who have moved away, mostly to be in warmer climates and usually they are older folks. These are the people that appreciate being able to see Vinton in real-time.

Thank you to all of the wonderful folks that call and say, "Hey, can you do a story about..." and thank you to those that send in their stories all ready to run, or send in the info for a story. That was the idea behind Vinton Today, a general collection point where everyone could be part of the fun!

I've lived in other communities, and I can honestly say, Vinton, is home. I started out here, and life with its twists and turns finally brought me back home, and I'm grateful for that. Trust me when I say that we are pretty awesome here! I can't say that I've seen another community as close to each other, as quick to respond to needs, and as caring about each other. Sure, we get on each other's nerves once in a while, but that's normal even when you care about each other.

Here's wishing everyone a wonderful New Year's weekend with family and friends. Take a minute to be thankful for all of the good things that have happened this last year in your world. Enjoy the weather that doesn't include windchill information that should be considered!

Happy New Year!