"Fast away the old year passes,

Hail the new, ye lads and lasses."

A decade, plus one year, of the new millennium have come and gone. The new era has seen the continuing triumph of man’s ingenuity over the elements … especially in the field of communications, where everything is instantaneous. The internet and smart phones fill the need to know, now.

But have we really triumphed over the elements? Evidence of global warming suggests that Mother Nature may have the last laugh. Our continuing need for energy, mostly generated from petroleum products, seems to be causing sea levels to rise; meanwhile the movement toward renewable energy struggles to gain traction. What’s the future to bring?

America’s workers and businesses are still trying to keep their heads above water as a stubborn recession drags into its third—or is it the fourth?—year. The economists say that by the numbers, the recession is over. But when will the recovery begin? The mighty American business machine continues to sputter after a bunch of high-flying speculators, little watched by their regulators, drained the gas tank of the economy.

And at home, where we are most familiar: it is dismaying to see the empty storefronts on main streets and primary highways. "For sale" and "for lease" signs wait for takers. The experts say this part of Virginia was just lightly affected by the recession, but hurting a little still hurts.

At the Gazette-Journal, we remain grateful for the loyal support of our readers and advertisers. We rely on both groups and cannot publish without them. Dating back to the Mathews Journal, which started in 1905 or earlier, "Your Hometown Newspaper" is well into its second century of service to the community. We thank everyone for sticking with us through thick and thin; we will do our best to return the favor.

And a Happy New Year.