With just a few days remaining until we can put a lid on the Year 2020, we have so much to put behind us — and so much to look forward to!

No matter which way you lean in politics, and without trying to open up a political debate, I believe everyone is very happy to finally have the recent Presidential election over and done. The thing that dominated our thoughts day in and day out throughout most of 2020 was, no doubt, the Coronavirus pandemic and the devastating results on our economy. It resonated locally, throughout the state, the entire United States, and across the globe. Finally, as if to give us one more kick in the teeth, Mother Nature managed to dump a couple of feet of snow across our area on Wednesday, December 16 — the greatest amount of snow we have seen in years, which kept many area residents housebound for days!

Let us now turn the page as we look forward to a New Year — 2021.

It is exciting to realize that we now have two vaccines to aid in fighting the coronavirus and that there may be even more vaccines available in the near future. It would appear that with the rapid growth in immunizations, we will turn the corner on this virus and, hopefully, we will be able to put a lid on it soon. We can then devote our much-needed attention to getting the economy and our lives back to normal once again! We have much to look forward to.

Folks who live in the Northcentral Pennsylvania area either reside in or have easy access to the outdoors, which is a real blessing for each of us. I recently discussed the coronavirus with a gentleman who holds multiple Doctorates in Biology, Chemistry, and Medicine and has worked in Virology for years. His comment to me was that living in a rural environment, which we do here in Lycoming and surrounding counties places us in an enviable position. Much of our own immune system is used to fight off so many airborne things, but in the outdoors in our region, many of these negative ingredients do not exist, thus allowing our immune system to help fight off things like viruses.

Now, as we enter the New Year and a new era of hope, we can start to focus in earnest on more positive things. The trips we planned, the gatherings we had wanted to have happened, and the many items that we shelved in 2020 have a real chance of happening this coming year. We can begin to plan for these things, and the planning stages are half the fun.

First and foremost, take advantage of where you are currently living. Get outside and enjoy the health benefits of fresh air and exercise. There are plenty of hiking trails, State Forests, and State Game Lands to explore. There are ice fishing and predator hunting to experience over the next few months, and before you realize it, trout season and spring gobbler hunting season will be upon us. Walking some of your favorite game trails and logging roads this time of year will allow you to read some important signs, like the tracks in the snow that reveal what wildlife is frequenting your hunting spots.

Have you been daydreaming about a distant hunting or fishing trip but found that it simply could not happen in 2020? I have been talking to hunting and fishing outfitters in western states and in Canada, who have had a drastic reduction in their numbers of clients in 2020 and are now anxious to talk to folks about trips for 2021. After being penned up and unable to travel this year, many hunters and fishermen are looking forward to outings this coming year. Start making plans and make some phone calls now if you hope to get on a schedule this coming year.

For many reasons, it sure looks like 2021 holds great hope for all of us. Here’s wishing each of you a Happy, Healthy, and Adventuresome New Year!