PUBLISHED PRIOR LAKE AMERICAN 2000:
PHOTO - 1999 (Chris, Molly, Nick , Lee Ann)
By Lee Ann Schutz
From start to finish, it’s been quite a year – this year 2000.
The TV commentators and newspaper opinion writers have had their say on events of this year. Now it’s the historian’s turn to mull it all over and, with time, help us develop some perspective.
Remember how the year 2000 began? The Y2K scare was just the first of a succession of media events. Now we end the year with a presidential election that has left many of us questioning the legitimacy of our vote.
Remember how the year 2000 began? The Y2K scare was just the first of a succession of media events. Now we end the year with a presidential election that has left many of us questioning the legitimacy of our vote.
In this look-back over the past year, we can’t forget about the economy. The high-ride of confidence that bolstered our attitude and spending took unexpected dips and turns this year. The “new economy” shows that the simple law of physics – what goes up, must come down- still applies.
It’s just that some of us forgot to wear our parachutes.
Before closing the book on 2000, a respite, a breather, may be in order. That’s right, take a deep cleansing breath to get rid of all the negative. We do have the promise of a new year.
Before closing the book on 2000, a respite, a breather, may be in order. That’s right, take a deep cleansing breath to get rid of all the negative. We do have the promise of a new year.
Our president-elect, George W. Bush, has a tremendous challenge before him. Instead of partisan bickering, what if our political leaders actually rise to the challenge, move forward in unison with the interests of the country in mind.
Maybe too, the slowing economy will force us to take a hard look at our consuming and place greater value on saving and stewardship. And while we’re taking a deep breath, think about our community and the residents who give of their time and talent to make our hometown a better place.
How about our young people – our kids, their friends? Sometimes we don’t acknowledge positive attributes of our young residents. But they have vision for which we can be proud. They show us committed involvement to school activities and to various community efforts.
As with previous New Years, we have the decision of whether we’ll be bystanders and complainers or part of the solutions.
May 2001 bring out the best in who we are.
Maybe too, the slowing economy will force us to take a hard look at our consuming and place greater value on saving and stewardship. And while we’re taking a deep breath, think about our community and the residents who give of their time and talent to make our hometown a better place.
How about our young people – our kids, their friends? Sometimes we don’t acknowledge positive attributes of our young residents. But they have vision for which we can be proud. They show us committed involvement to school activities and to various community efforts.
As with previous New Years, we have the decision of whether we’ll be bystanders and complainers or part of the solutions.
May 2001 bring out the best in who we are.
