As we come to the end of 2015, there are so many wonderful things that have happened that we truly must give thanks for the blessings we have received. Having dealt with a most harsh winter, it took several weeks to defrost and begin to enjoy the warmth of the summer season. Now that winter begins, we are still blessed with warm temperatures to make all the outdoor activities like decorating and Santa runs fun. Of course, with our past history of snowy winters, most people have prepared themselves with new boots, coats and snowblowers for the upcoming season that may or may not come.
As we prepare for 2016, we look to a brighter future. According to the Federal Reserve, the economy has improved enough so that the markets can withstand an increase of .25 percent. After seven year’s, the Fed has scratched an itch that has been burning to be scratched for the past year. This move is the beginning of actualizing the change.
With the premier of the new Star Wars movie, our love affair with space continues. What is exciting is the prospect of travel to Mars. NASA is recruiting candidates for the next class of astronauts. Applications are until February 2016, the class will be announced in 2017. This next class of astronauts will be making history. These future astronauts will be launching once again from Florida on American-made commercial spacecraft.
What is so exciting is the prospect of new jobs and opportunities with these space missions. I remember the excitement of the launch of man into space and how everyone was glued to their televisions watching the historic missions. I believe we have finally gotten to the Star Trek mantra of “Space: The Final Frontier.”
Merry Christmas and Peace on earth!
—Elizabeth Johnson
