Editorial: Plenty to be thankful for in 2016

Last Sunday marked the first day of 2017. While I most certainly don’t have a crystal ball that will allow me to see what will happen in the New Year, I’m sure there will be plenty of great stories to tell in the Ledger courtesy of the great people of Whitehall and the surrounding areas.

Looking back at 2016, I had plenty to be thankful for as the Publisher of the Whitehall Ledger. I’d like to share some of the things I’m most thankful for. It would be impossible to get everyone I’d like to into this editorial, but these are some of the things that made it a great 2016.

First and foremost, I’m lucky and grateful to live in an amazing town in an amazing state. I can look in any direction from my front yard and see beautiful views. That never gets old.

I’m thankful for Arcylle Shaw. For years she has writ-ten a column for the newspaper, and readers both local and across the country look forward to reading “For Your Information” in every edition. Thanks for always sending in the column Arcylle. A special thanks should also go to Jefferson County Commissioner Leonard Wortman, Whitehall Librarian Jeannie Ferriss, the teachers with the 21st Century Community Learning Center, Whitehall K-5 Principal Britt McLean, several 4-H participants, Bill Lanes, Arlene Weber and anyone who I may have forgotten and is a regular contributor to the paper.

I’d like to give a special thanks to Catherine Ellerton and Sarah Smart. When Catherine is in Whitehall during the warmer months, she writes numerous stories and they are all tremendous reads. Sarah contributes amazing photographs that really make the pages of the paper look incredible. I always look forward to Saturday and Sunday when she will usually send a few photos.

I’m thankful for everyone at the Whitehall School District. The district is really blessed to have a tremendous Board of Trustees and an amazing administration.

Superintendent John Sullivan, and Principals Hannah Nieskens and McLean do an amazing job and this will continue into the future. I don’t need a crystal ball to tell me that. I’m thankful for all the student athletes who proudly wear the Trojan colors. You really give this community something to cheer for and a place they can unite to cheer on our beloved Trojans.

On a selfish note, I’m super thankful for the blackened rib eye steak at LaHood. I order it every time and it never gets old. I look forward to each and every time I eat at one of the best steak houses around. I’m also thankful for each and every one of the small businesses who make this a great place to live. Thanks for all of your hard work and what you bring to the community.

I’m thankful for all the town employees who do things like plow snow on holidays and for the betterment of our community. Job well done.

And last but not least, to the post office for getting the paper where it needs to go.

I could go on and on with list, but this is just a snapshot of some of the things I was thankful for in 2016. I made myself super hungry writing this, luckily only a few hours until LaHood opens.

JHS