Maybe we all learned a lesson this Christmas.
And what better time of year to take stock of what we’ve learned than New Year’s.
Thursday through Sunday was the coldest Christmas holiday in more than 40 years across Western North Carolina. Along with the brutal cold, temperatures in the single digits and wind chills dipping to negative-20, came strong winds that brought down trees and knocked out power across swaths of Macon County.
Crews from Duke Energy spent their weekend working around the clock to get the lights back on in time for family gatherings and holiday celebrations. Everyone complains when power goes out, and when it comes back on no one takes time to be thankful for the linemen making it happen.
Along with utility crews, NC Department of Transportation employees were out treating the roads to ensure they remained passable. The nature of our mountain roads makes them treacherous in any adverse weather conditions, but even more so when ice takes hold. Fortunately, the DOT kept all of the major arteries open with special focus on US64 in the Cullasaja Gorge, the Blue Valley area of NC106 and the Whiteside Mountain area of Cashiers Road.
Because emergency calls were fast and furious at times due to the frigid temperatures, Highlands police officers, EMS workers and firefighters were on the job more than they would have liked. But as usual, no one complained.
As we look back on 2022, a particularly unusual Christmas holiday seemed like a fitting end to a strange year. COVID-19 surged, then waned, and appears to be surging again. Russia invaded Ukraine, took over entire regions, but has since been pushed back on multiple fronts. Highlands stakeholders fought about Short Term Rentals for the better part of a year only to see a resolution pass in the early fall. Elections shook up the political landscape of Macon County and the region.
Whether 2022 has been filled with joy and personal victories, or struggle and hardships, it has certainly been filled with learning experiences. Hopefully, 2023 is another year of growth for all of us.
Happy New Year!