There was a prevailing hope last year at this time that we could put a tumultuous year behind us by simply turning the calendar over to January of 2021.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has managed to hang on, creating hardship and uncertainty every step of the way. Healthcare workers are now in their second year battling the coronavirus as it continues to mutate. In short, as we bid 2021 ado, we’re not quite out of the woods yet.
We have, however, learned to live with the virus. Here at the Johnson City News & Neighbor, we have had the pleasure of chronicling the creativity and resilience of local businesses, civic groups, schools and non-profit organizations as they adapted to the changing landscape and found ways to restore the sense of community we value so much.
Parades, festivals, fundraisers and 5K races were among the events that returned this year. An in-person Turkey Trot marked Thanksgiving, and Christmas parades in Jonesborough, Johnson City and elsewhere ushered in the Christmas season.
We have no way of knowing what the New Year will hold, but we do know our community and the region as a whole will rise to the challenge. Thanks for reading our newspaper each week, and we wish you a happy and healthy 2022.
