The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year it is that we should have a new soul.
G.K. Chesterton

There is no question in our minds, and probably in the minds of many of our readers, that the year 2011 won't go down in history as one of our prosperous ones.

Thousands of our residents lost their homes to foreclosure, and thousands more lost jobs. Heck, even our weather has been the strangest in years.

You can't turn on TV or even pick up our paper without being bombarded with stories about the most vicious of crimes.

When you ask a friend or a neighbor how they are doing, what you receive are mostly weak smiles and shrugs. The good thing is that 2011 is over this weekend, forever to written about in the history books.

We are, with prayer and hope, going to step into the year 2012 with eye to a light at the end of the tunnel of doom and despair.

We are encouraged by the arrival of new industry and business to our area. Also, it's an election year, so if you have been depressed about our leadership on the local, state and federal level, here is your chance to make a change.

We hope this year that you and your family reach the goals that you have set for yourselves.

We have set higher goals here at The Rockdale News as we seek to improve delivery service, improve news coverage and make our website even more proactive.

Our staff is looking forward to be even more involved in community activities.

Yes, 2011 is over. Ring the bells and help us hoist the flag of hope as we welcome 2012.

From all of us here at your community newspaper, Happy New Year and may all of your plans and desires be fruitful.