Columns

My article for today will be a short reminder of this year of writing in 2023.

Our local law enforcement officers are on the front lines of the fentanyl crisis. They know all too well the toll it’s taking on communities across our state.

As 2023 becomes 2024, time is briefly on our collective minds.

For the second time, I served as an election official last month. I must say the Delaware County system is an example of a top-tier operation.

I always enjoy this column, as this is the week when I take a look back at all that I’ve written about over the year and reflect on how the Delaware County District Library has served our patrons throughout 2023.

The Central Ohio Symphony performed its annual Holiday Concert on Sunday, Dec. 10. Once again, it was held in Gray Chapel inside University Hall on the campus of Ohio Wesleyan University, which was festively decorated for the occasion. Almost 1,500 people attended the two identical concerts, at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Since admission was free for children with a valid library card from any of Delaware County’s library systems, there were quite a few kids in the audience. As a special treat, Santa Claus handed out candy to them.

“Christmas is not a time, nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”

The most puzzling astronomical event associated with Christmas is undoubtedly the star the Magi followed to Bethlehem in the Biblical book of Matthew.

December comes with many fabulous lists. There is the 2023 Ohio Holiday Lights Trail, a list of 70 locations all over Ohio that have some of the best light displays you can find. Head to ohio.org to see the ones that you can experience right here in Central Ohio. Retailers will promote their “Best Toys of the Season” lists. (I can already attest that the flying orb ball will cause more frustration than fun. Save yourself.) And you can always bet on the annual New York Times best books of the year list. The editors’ choices aren’t always the most popular, but they do leave an impression on the reader. Read through to the end to catch a few of the titles chosen.

“I am resolved to take Trenton.”