It was only a few short hours ago that planet Earth orbited into 2012. Time to stop reflecting on the best and worst of 2011 and start considering our hopes for 2012.
• Health: Not just personal health but our health-care community as a whole. Here’s hoping that the recent management switch to Vidant Health continues to pay dividends with facility upgrades at Vidant Beaufort Hospital. We also hope that a premier staff  is there to treat our ailments in times of need.
• Wealth: We have struggled through a recession for nearly four years now. The effects have been staggering on our community infrastructure. Here’s hoping that 2012 brings us a collective wealth that will allow our municipalities to operate.
• Prosperity: While the past 12 months have seen several new small businesses open in Washington, they have also seen some noteworthy businesses struggle or fail. Here’s hoping that we can celebrate New Year’s Eve of 2013 in a reopened Turnage Theater. We also hope that the forces behind Fountain Powerboats resolve their issues and get that factory operating at full throttle again. Lastly, we hope that the revitalization of downtown Washington finally takes hold.
We know that this may be a lot to hope for, but that is part of the enchantment of this new year: we have 366 days to see our hopes and dreams come true.
Wishing you all the best in 2012.