This wasn't the biggest deal of a year locally. That's just as well, considering so much on the national level was jaw-dropping. A CNN commentator the other night said the last two years have aged us 20. That nailed it.

Of course, what happens in Washington affects all of us, that's the idea depending where you fall on the political spectrum. So when we pull out of the international war on climate change and pull troops to the point a massively experienced defense secretary quits, it is cause to pause wherever you live. I learned a long time ago not to ask in frustration, "What next?" So I won't.

At press time, some federal workers cannot work and others are working but not yet getting paid for it. Merry Christmas. This so billions of dollars can build a wall. As a granddaughter of immigrants, I say two things: Adequate patrols are one thing, so we can take people through a process that keeps their dignity and keeps their children with them. The other thing is to quote the thoroughly American poet Robert Frost in "Mending Wall": "Something there is that doesn't love a wall."

The sky didn't fall when Maine Department of Transportation started its downtown project this year. It didn't even fall when the Haggett Building did. We will see how the rest goes as work resumes next year toward the new sidewalks and traffic and parking patterns. Enough was done by winter to glimpse the future but not fully experience it. That was likely a good thing, like learning at the shallow end of the pool.

The people who bought the primary school decided to put it on the market, so the property's next use remained in play. And the former Musical Wonder House on High Street is looking wonderfully vibrant under its new ownership.

Thank you to Frank Barnako and Julie Mitchell who became Wiscasset Newspaper's first bloggers this year and thank you to all who keeping reading us in print and online and who keep spending your advertising dollars with us.

Thank you to everyone I work with, including our wise leader, Editor Kevin Burnham: considerate and deliberate, two of the best traits in a boss or a journalist.

A year of news is too broad in good and bad to describe any one way, and I am as glad as anyone to call this one through.

We are ready and excited for 2019. The year even has a nice ring to it.

Happy New Year early.