As the new year rings in with new beginnings, hopes and adventures, we are comforted by the notion that things can only get better this year.

They certainly can't get much worse.

Most people are quite happy 2009 is over. Perhaps the best way to describe the past year is to say it was a "character-building" time.

In the past, the new year has been greeted with a mix of heavy issues and light optimism.

More than 60 years ago, access to health care was on the minds of many in Carroll County. On Jan. 3, 1947, Dr. C. L. Billingslea wrote a letter to the editor of the old Democratic Advocate asking that a "small Maternity Hospital and Accident Room" be built in the county.

"The Carroll County Medical Society is on record as approving a Maternity hospital at Westminster as a proper memorial to the men and women of Carroll County who served during World War II," wrote Billingslea.

The letter also described an "urgent need for some type of facilities for the proper treatment of emergency cases or for some arrangement for temporary care of them."

A happier new year was celebrated elsewhere, as congregations celebrated "watch night" on New Year's Eve -- a tradition that dates back to the enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation.

The now-defunct American Sentinel reported on Jan. 8, 1898, "The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor of the Methodist Protestant Church held a very impressive watch-night service on New Year's Eve, which was largely attended. The service ... included appropriate hymns, the reading of a Psalm in concert, prayer by the pastor, Rev. W. R. Graham, D.D., and by the president of the society, Mr. George Mather..."

The economy was rosier in the past -- as least in January 1942. In an edition of The Sun, it was reported that, "The Board of County Commissioners paid off $25,000 to make Carroll County debt-free. Carroll County was probably the only county in Maryland in 1942 that could claim such a distinction.

"With a tax rate of 90 cents on $100, Carroll had the lowest tax in the state, with the exception of Queen Anne's County. Two-thirds of tax money collected from county residents went to fund schools."

Ah, those were the days, huh?

And on another bright note, on Jan. 6, 1911, the long-gone Union Bridge Pilot reported that folks in Taylorsville partied all night. "Taylorsville Items: Masqueraders made use of the holidays by going ... all day and all night..."

The Pilot also shared a fond wish for the year -- which we extend today:

"Again we start on the New Year, we should all hold brighter hopes of the future, and make some good resolutions."

Amen to that.

When he is not partying in Taylorsville, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff@gmail.com or visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net.

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