Written by,

Jessica Snider, ShowMe Times Writer

Some people will be anxiously awaiting the New Year, while others will continue to desperately hold onto 2012. It is often said that the optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year come in, and the pessimist stays awake to make sure the old year leaves.

No matter which type of person you are, something we cannot change is about to happen just as it does every year. We have survived another year of many changes going on in your personal life, and also throughout the world. Are you hopeful for a brighter 2013? Or was 2012 a wonderful year for you?

Throughout our country, we’ve experienced many things through the year of 2012. Some good, and some we would like to forget. One thing that really stands out from 2012 is the Mayan’s prediction that the world would end on December 21^st. Although most of us knew better than to believe that, some were nervous throughout that whole day, but we made it!

A good thing about welcoming in a New Year is that a lot of people see it as a chance to start fresh and also to kick some of those old habits. Are you someone who makes a New Year’s resolution? If so, good luck to you in keeping that resolution throughout the New Year of 2013!

If there’s one thing we can all agree on, I think it is that we’re all relieved to finally be out of an election year! Seeing all those political commercials mudslinging at opponents for a big portion of the year is almost tiring.

Whether you will be celebrating with friends, family, or maybe you won’t be celebrating at all, be thankful for the fact that you’re here to see 2013.

2013, like every year, will bring challenges for everyone individually and also for America.  Our country is in a fragile state, and maybe you are as well, but let’s all try and see the New Year as an opportunity to gain new strength.

Through optimism, there is little that we can’t accomplish. This is more than just a changing of a year; this is your chance to shine brightly in all your decisions.

No matter what your goal is going to be for 2013, we wish you the best of luck and success in this New Year!

Since many of us hardly see snow throughout the winter months in this area,  a lot of people took advantage of the large amount of snow fall yesterday and spent a large bulk of their day outside playing in it.

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of cold weather, but I can’t let there be a significant snowfall without me going outside and enjoying it for at least a few minutes.

It may be hard to believe considering I’m eighteen years old, but yesterday I constructed my first snowman! He wasn’t a very big snowman, but he’s still standing! Aside from the hour it took to build a not-so-great snowman, who can let a snow day pass without a little snowball fight?

If you spent your snow day outside doing any “snow day activities,” email us at ShowMe Times and we will feature your picture in an article!

You may email your picture to: jsnider@showmetimes.com

Throughout the area, many people are not used to seeing very much snow throughout the winter. For kids who attend the local schools, it can be exciting to hear the news of possible snow, which also calls for possible school cancellation. For most adults, it’s more of a headache than anything. Having to worry about having a safe travel to work, keeping your children safe, and not being able to travel many places besides where you absolutely have to are a few things that can cause stress from winter weather.

Throughout the Dexter area, and probably many other surrounding towns, we have been so lucky to have such wonderful street departments taking care of our roads. Before the snow hit, there were crews out salting many of the roads, which are used often throughout the town.

We often take for granted that we can still run to Wal-Mart or even make it to work safely because of the street department’s hard work in keeping our infrastructure safe for everyone.

Although winter weather can be a pain, remember to thank someone who cleared off your road or the roads in your town for you!

Before Central Elementary students concluded their semester in celebration of the holidays, one very special trip had to be made!  Those students who earned two hundred percent or more of their Accelerated Reader goal were treated to a trip to Dexter Bowl. 

In order to achieve such an honor, pupils were required to not only pass their Accelerated Reader tests but uphold a comprehension rate of eighty-five percent or above within their assigned book level.  A total of sixty students earned an afternoon of fun at Dexter Bowl for having gone above and beyond their reading goal.

Students who met one hundred percent of the Accelerated Reader goal were also noted for their achievement by being entered into a drawing.  In order to qualify, children must have maintained an eighty-five percent comprehension goal and meet their book level as well.  

Shelby Haynes was the lucky winner of the second quarter’s drawing.  Shelby gladly accepted her prize- a gift bag filled with Christmas goodies, an array of McDonald’s coupons, and money to the Central School Store.

The faculty members at Central Elementary are extremely pleased to have had so many students meet their reading goals and hope incentive programs such as these will encourage children to develop essential reading skills. Way to go, kids!

I don’t know how many of you readers have ever experienced a mall on Christmas Eve, but some of those shopper are not to be messed with! They’ve waited until the last minute to finally complete their gift list, and if you happen to get in their way, you’re in trouble.

What is it about Christmas shopping that gets people in such a tiff? There are actually some people who do Christmas shopping all year round, and then when Christmas rolls around, they do not have to make trips to the mall every time they turn around.

Once Christmas approaches and you have no one left to buy for, how do you get in the Christmas spirit? I think one of the greatest things about waiting until last minute would be the atmosphere of everyone rushing around taking advantage of all the sales, while faintly hearing Christmas music playing all across the store.

Although Christmas shopping can be very stressful, I don’t think we take enough time out to just relax and enjoy the shopping we’re able to do. It’s such a joy to see the smile across someone’s face when they opened the gift you searched so hard to find just for them, so why isn’t the shopping a joy?

There are so many people around us, and maybe even in your family, who can no longer enjoy shopping for Christmas. Whether sickness has gotten them down, or they’ve just reached an age where it isn’t an option to leave home, some people never know the joy of Christmas shopping. So next time you run out to buy a gift for someone and you wish you didn’t have to, just remember those who would love to be able to do it.

As you may or may not be finishing up your shopping this weekend, just remember to slow down and think of the real reason for the season. Enjoy having to bundle up just to take a trip to the mall, hearing the Christmas music, and seeing everyone in such a hurry. Maybe once we just stop and realize how thankful we are for all our surroundings, we will be able to calmly (and joyfully) wrap up our Christmas shopping of 2012.

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a bright and Happy New Year!