As we close out this year of a global pandemic, economic constraints and overall increased stresses, it is easy to focus on the negatives over the past 12 months. While it may be challenging to think of the positives, it makes it easier when you think about our hometown, New Bern. Here are just 10 examples:

1. The Residents – The people who live in New Bern seem to share one common trait, a true sense of community. The Golden Rule definitely is evident here.
2. Healthcare Heroes – Physicians, nurses, technicians, administrators and other staff members all wore invisible capes this year. True superheroes!
3. First Responders – Thank you, thank you, thank you to these unstoppable folks! We vote for a First Responders Year in 2021, instead of the typical day or week.
4. Essential Businesses – Grocery stores, pharmacies and all other essential businesses kept us stocked and safe for our WFH and virtual schooling.
5. Craven County Schools – We applaud all schools, including private and charter, too. We give the public school system a special shout-out here due to its geographic area, population served and logistics expertise.
6. Our Business Community – The town’s businesses and other organizations continually pulled together for the greater good of the town (as they always seem to do).
7. 52 Faces of Community – While looking in the newspaper meant reading about rising numbers of coronavirus cases and unemployment, we also read about the 52 Faces of Community in the New Bern Sun Journal, a weekly tribute of citizens making an impact.
8. The Visitor’s Bureau – Visit New Bern had the challenging task of promoting our city in the midst of a statewide shutdown. Might we say they did so in a fantastic manner, and even introduced a new campaign, Try On New Bern (spotlighting our beautiful Tryon Palace).
9. MumFeast – Leave it to our innovative organizers of MumFest to reinvent the event as a month-long weekend celebration of our restaurants. It was a win-win, for the establishments and for our full stomachs!
10. Christmas Parade – The show must go on, and our downtown parade did just that in a restructured way. How cool was it to drive past the participants, getting a close-up view from your car?

While the list could go on and on, suffice it to say we experienced many positives this year. Cheers to 2021!