While 2023 saw the closest thing to a “return to normalcy” since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, actual COVID numbers and hospitalizations were reported to be rising for the first few months of the year before dropping to unprecedented lows. With a drastic decrease in demand for on-site tests and vaccines, the South Peninsula COVID-19 testing and vaccine site closed its doors, giving way to at-home testing and treatment at the regular hospital facilities.
After participating in an interactive and impermanent art event in California in 2004, Homer artist Mavis Muller was inspired to bring the idea home. Since that time, she has been leading the creation of Homer’s annual Burning Basket, a community-wide collaboration that brings to life a Basket of Remembrance &Unburdening.
If springing your clocks forward this past weekend wasn’t enough of a sign that spring is on its way, try driving out East End Road where spring melt run off by East Hill will have you running to the car wash or at least to the store to load up on more windshield washer fluid. And while there’s still plenty of snow out East for skiing and snowshoeing, in town trails are now a patchwork of brown and white. And, if you missed it as an insert in last week’s paper, the Shorebird Festival program is out! How many more signs of spring do you need?
So long 2022 and hello 2023. Along with the new year comes an opportunity for contemplation, a full moon, ever-increasing daylight, and a plethora of activities and events to enjoy. Thanks to all the fine folks out there sanding and plowing and keeping roads driveable during our current warm/cold/sunny/rainy days. If you’re like the Betster and have only been leaving the house to ski, snowshoe, skate and stock up on snacks, now might be the time to re-emerge into society, aka: take in a film or reading, sign up for a class, prepare some art for show, learn a new craft…
The Betster hopes you had a magical Christmas celebration and are looking forward to the coming New Year. If you’re hanging out at home — enjoying leftovers, playing with your new gifts, watching football or the daylight slowly increasing, and planning to stay in your pajamas for a while yet, good for you. If, on the other hand, you are in search of some fun and interesting activities and events to get you off your couch and out of the house, check out these Best Bets that will have you dancing, skiing, tapping your toes, gawking at the skies, and more! From the Homer News crew to you and yours, Happy New Year wishes as we bid farewell to 2022 and hello to 2023! Be safe out there!