
From My WindowIssue Date: December 27, 2017 Happy New Year!
By Jane Thibodeau Martin,
**********
I have never really been a fan of New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. It's a "letdown" after Christmas; it involves staying up late, which I detest; and it marks the start of January, probably my least favorite month for a lot of reasons.
I used to like it a little bit when I was still working, as it was wonderful to see that full vacation day quota pop up on my computer right after my return to work after the holiday " but I don't need that little boost any more, since I am retired. And, when I was a young teenager, it was a big money night for babysitting, which was great. (Even at the going rate of 50 cents an hour, I often got $5 on New Year's Eve, if the parents were fully into late night partying.)
But I am re-thinking my dislike of this holiday this year, and here's why.
Given that 2017 was a year of political and social chaos, unlike anything I've seen since the social unrest of the 1960's; I can honestly say that while I had some wonderful things happen in my personal life, I found most of the news of 2017 deeply and profoundly disturbing. I have simmered over the cultural discord, and been shocked and disappointed frequently.
But I bet it's going to be very hard, even in this current rancorous atmosphere, to find a lot of social discord, disagreements, or political nastiness over this particular holiday. It is a secular event, driven only by the calendar. No one protests the arrival of the New Year. It would do no good " time marches on, and this is all about marking the passage of time. As far as I know, no one's religion has issues with New Year's Eve or Day. And I've never heard someone say they wished the prior year would never end.
You can choose to go out and party wildly " or attend a small, elegant celebration. You can stay home with your kiddos, put on your jammies and watch movies, or you can go outdoors and spend time in our beautiful environment, skiing, hiking, or whatever other active lifestyle activities are available in your area. Or, you can cuddle up with a special someone and watch the ball drop in other countries around the world on TV.
If you are a football fan, New Year's Day is a really great day, with a menu of bowl games (we will, of course, be cheering on the Oklahoma Sooners, while feeling badly we can't cheer on the Wisconsin Badgers.)
Nothing dictates what you eat " unless you have a family tradition you follow. A bottle of champagne is always nice, though.
Happy New Year to all of you. Let's start 2018 with optimism that it will be a good year of peace, safety, common sense, and civility.
If you do choose to make alcohol a part of your celebrations, please make arrangements for safe travel. I wish each and every one of you a safe, tranquil and healthy 2018. And as I close the last column for 2017, I'd like to send a special thanks and a hug to those of you who have contacted me over the past year. Your kindness, commentary and humor is truly appreciated.
You can reach me for commentary, alternative viewpoints or ideas at this e-mail address: Janiethibmartin@gmail.com.

Recent stories, opinions and photos
Issue Date |
Department |
Headline |
04-26-2018 | Sports |
 Marines Sweep Quadrangular; Suring Second at Boys Invite

|
04-26-2018 | Sports |
 Peshtigo Middle School Bowlers State Bound

|
04-26-2018 | Sports |
 Marines Drop Panthers; Kotecki Fires No-Hitter

|
04-26-2018 | Sports |
 Peshtigo Splits a Pair; Marines Edge Out Tigers

|
04-26-2018 | Perspectives |
 From our readers

|
04-26-2018 | Perspectives |
 COUNTRY COUSIN

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Beverly H. Angelich

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Daniel J. Barker

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Sharen K. Baxter

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Kristine E. Belling

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Harry W. Brendemihl

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Joyce C. Miller-Cardinal

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 James A. Charniak

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Sister Lucy Edelbeck, O.P

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Maxine F. Faucett

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Lee J. Fredrickson

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Betty A. Clark Hanish

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Thomas C. King

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Terry Koller

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Charlotte Miller

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Gordon A. Newlin

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Warren E. Pearson

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Patricia A. Polzin

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 William S. Rademacher

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Eric A. Reno

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Arlene J. Rosner

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Genevieve E. Rye

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Cynthia L. Seifert

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Thomas W. Snyder

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Linda A. Ward

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Stanley D. Zack

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Marjorie Schmidt-Zajdel

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Thora M. Zeitler

|
04-26-2018 | Obituaries |
 Elmer R. Zorzi

|
04-26-2018 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Mayou is Full Time WWTP Operator

|
04-26-2018 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Wausaukee Jr., Sr. High School Honor Rolls

|
04-26-2018 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Town Athelstane Lists 5-Year Road Plan

|
04-26-2018 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Wausaukee Lions Request To Donate for Park Project

|
04-26-2018 | Community - Crivitz |
 VFW Gun, Knife Show May 5th

|
04-26-2018 | Community - Crivitz |
 M I To Vote on Clerk/ Treasurer by Appointment

|
04-26-2018 | Community - Crivitz |
 NEWCare to Expand Facility

|
04-26-2018 | Community - Crivitz |
 Crivitz Rescue Squad to Give Scholarships

|
04-26-2018 | Community - Coleman |
 Coleman Legion Plans New Veteran's Memorial

|
04-26-2018 | Community - Coleman |
 KC Mother's Day Breakfast in Coleman

|
04-26-2018 | Community - Coleman |
 Coleman Students Win at Peshtigo

|
04-26-2018 | Community - Coleman |
 Coleman School Board To Meet April 26

|
04-26-2018 | Front Page |
 Just In Kase Door Jambs Now at Peshtigo Schools

|
04-26-2018 | Front Page |
 Wagner Treasurer, Supervisor And Town Chair Have Resigned

|
04-26-2018 | Front Page |
 Criminal Justice Plans To Move Forward With Mental Health Court

|
04-26-2018 | |
 Franzen, Pickett, Reiden, Renee's Dining Room Honored By CBA

|
04-26-2018 | Front Page |
 Porterfield To Meet May 1 On Quarry Issue

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Debra J. Zeitler

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Donald R. Wene

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 John C. Van Schyndel

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Lois L. Trever

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Robert C. Rasmussen

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Dolores M. Pendl

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Allen V. Mundt

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Janice A. Minecke

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Christine S. Malarski

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Marilyn Lunsford

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Richard L. Julian

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Daniel J. Jahns

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Daniel J. Jahns

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Clara G. Hart

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Jacqueline P. Hamilton

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Joseph Degeneffe

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Richard O. Davis

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Wayne Damp

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Benedict V. Banaszynski, Jr.

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Walter V. Anderson

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Richard C. Alley

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Margaret R. Rhude

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Marianna C. Schmidt

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Lois C. Gustafson

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Blake E. Gustafson

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Jamie A. Field

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Ronald A. Ellie

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Gary F. Doyen

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Marie H. Chaltry

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Stanley J. Budnik

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 George J. Barrette

|
04-19-2018 | Obituaries |
 Donna Bannow

|
04-19-2018 | Sports |
 Focus on safety for spring turkey season

|
04-19-2018 | Sports |
 Area Teams Ready To Begin Diamond Seasons

|
04-19-2018 | Sports |
 " Baseball Preview"" Marines Will Rely on Strong Pitching Staff

|
04-19-2018 | Sports |
 Hundreds of Walleye Waters Offer Great Fishing in 2018

|
04-19-2018 | Perspectives |
 Country Cousin

|
04-19-2018 | Perspectives |
 From My Window

|
04-19-2018 | Perspectives |
 From our readers

|
04-19-2018 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Wausaukee Students Earn Awards at Music Event

|
04-19-2018 | Community - Crivitz |
 Country Gospel Jam Friday, April 20th

|
04-19-2018 | Community - Coleman |
 Equity Park Craft, Vendor Fair June 16

|
04-19-2018 | Community - Coleman |
 Coleman Library Book Sale

|
04-19-2018 | Community - Coleman |
 Coleman Students Earn Music, Choir Awards

|
04-19-2018 | Community - Coleman |
 Coleman Band To Debut New Uniforms

|
04-19-2018 | Front Page |
 Marinette Man Dies In City Car-Motorcycle Accident

|
04-19-2018 | Front Page |
 Blizzard Brings Marinette Co. Emergency Declaration

|
04-19-2018 | Front Page |
 Peshtigo School Board Seeks One New Member

|
04-19-2018 | Front Page |
 $1,000 Reward For Stop Sign Vandals

|
04-19-2018 | Front Page |
 Anderson Again Heads Marinette County Board

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 Harold Anderson

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 Howard M. Arndt

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 Lisa M. Becker

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 Lawrence J. Block

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 Joan E. Bohaczek

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 Amy A. Boyle

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 Joanne Downs

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 Arnold Hummel

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 Shirley Mae Logan

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 Ethel W. Martz

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 Marilyn Messenger

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 Charlotte Miller

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 Felecia B. Miron

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 Christina L. Okon

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 James J. Parnitzke Sr.

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 William S. Rademacher

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 Jack Salewski

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 James D. Schmid

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 Elizabeth A. Stewart

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 Diane A. Vanden Brook

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 James R. Wankowski

|
04-12-2018 | Obituaries |
 Gerald W. Wozniak

|
04-12-2018 | Sports |
 Bulldogs Look For Continued Success in New Conference

|
04-12-2018 | Sports |
 Henrigillis Leads Peshtigo Baseball into Packerland

|
04-12-2018 | Sports |
 WIAA Winter Team Tournament Sportsmanship Awards Selected

|
04-12-2018 | Sports |
 Mother Nature Puts a Strangle Hold On Area Spring Sports sold On Spring Sports

|
04-12-2018 | Perspectives |
 Country Cousin

|
04-12-2018 | Perspectives |
 From our readers

|
04-12-2018 | Perspectives |
 From My Window

|
04-12-2018 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Wausaukee Blood Drive Thursday, April 19th

|
04-12-2018 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Town of Wagner Meets April 18

|
04-12-2018 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Silver Cliff Fire and Rescue Auxiliary Meets

|
04-12-2018 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Lions Club Interested in Park Renovations

|
04-12-2018 | Community - Crivitz |
 Princess Ball at Crivitz April 21

|
04-12-2018 | Community - Crivitz |
 Middle Inlet May Schedule Clerk/Treasurer Referendum

|
04-12-2018 | Community - Crivitz |
 LNRD To Meet April 12

|
04-12-2018 | Community - Crivitz |
 Crivitz Junior High Lists 3rd Quarter Honor Rolls

|
04-12-2018 | Community - Coleman |
 Faith Christian Lists Honor Roll

|
04-12-2018 | Community - Coleman |
 Coleman School Adds 10 Minutes Per Day

|
04-12-2018 | Community - Coleman |
 Coleman Elementary Students Reach Goal of 75 Million Words

|
04-12-2018 | Front Page |
 Bert Johnson Celebrated 100th Birthday April 6th

|
04-12-2018 | Front Page |
 County Moves Toward Mental Health Court

|
04-12-2018 | Front Page |
 Council Okays Evergreen Loan, Upholds Firing, Closes TIF Fund

|
04-12-2018 | Front Page |
 Questions Raised Over REC Project Delays

|
04-12-2018 | Front Page |
 Northwoods Recycling Coalition Continues Plans For Dissolution

|
04-05-2018 | Obituaries |
 Lynne Baeten

|
04-05-2018 | Obituaries |
 Mary Edna Beyer

|
04-05-2018 | Obituaries |
 Russell Christensen

|
04-05-2018 | Obituaries |
 Lillian S. Huss

|
|
|
| |
|