Another year, another chance to predict what might happen in the coming months. But before doing so, there are a few things that no one could have predicted about what happened in 2015 in The Valley.
Not predicted 1: Who could have predicted the extended El Nino out West and the polar vortex trapped and contained and swirling in on itself rather than sending colder weather our way. We’re confident the vortex will escape its own wake soon.
Not predicted 2: The beautification of Bridge Street campaign. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade. This citizen-led effort resulted in bricks engraved with names and messages from Valley residents and fans from far and wide. They border a sidewalk that is now replete with benches and streetlights. Kudos.
Not predicted 3: The Vision and Vitality Economic Workshop Series and Economic Summit would pique so many peoples’ interest and participation. People were super interested in engaging in how to strengthen the local economy and turned out in full force to learn and participate.
And now, onto predictions for 2016:
Prediction 1: Phil Scott will become the Republican nominee for governor and face off against Sue Minter or Matt Dunne. Scott will most likely prevail. Hard to beat a race car driver.
Prediction 2: Bernie Sanders ... we don’t want to queer the deal by even speculating on this one. We’ve got our fingers crossed.
Prediction 3: Moretown town offices likely to be completed before Waitsfield’s are.
Prediction 4: The 2.5-day Vermont Music Festival at Kenyon’s will be amazing.
Prediction 5: Mud season 2016 will be tame, especially since we’ve already lived through at least half of it in the last six weeks.
Prediction 6: The former Egan’s Big World Restaurant on the corner of Routes 17 and 100 will be sold and reopened as a brew pub, joining The Blue Stone in the former Den building and China Fun across the street and the Smokehouse in offering fine fare within a stone’s throw of each other.
Prediction 7: The local food movement will get bigger and stronger. You watch.
See you here next year to compare notes.
