2016 has rolled to a close and 2017 is upon us. Looking back at 2016, here are a few things we could not have predicted for the year.
Not predicted but excellent: Lawson’s Finest is building a brewery in Waitsfield! That’s great news for The Valley and beer lovers alike.
Not predicted but likewise excellent: The Mad River Food Hub is purchasing the former People’s United Bank building to convert to a local food tasting and education center.
Not predicted and definitely not excellent: Last year was the winter that wasn’t. There was more rain and ice than there was snow. It’s only January and this year already outshines the last ski season.
Last year we predicted that Phil Scott would become the Republican nominee and likely the governor. We were right. We didn’t dare make any prediction about Bernie Sanders’ presidential bid and that outcome is sad and horrifying.
We predicted the Moretown town office would be ready before Waitsfield’s, but that was pretty much a draw. We predicted that mud season 2016 would be tame because of so many thaws last winter. We got that partially right.
We predicted that the Egan’s building would be sold and reopened as a brew pub. That hasn’t happened, although we did get a new restaurant – Home Plate – last year.
For 2017, we predict Waitsfield’s pocket park will get completed and the west village sidewalk somewhat likely to be completed. We give Warren’s Main Street Project a strong likelihood of being completed.
We predict that The Valley towns will give the thumbs-up on purchasing the Mad River Park fields for local youth athletics.
This ski season is already better than last year so we’re going to predict it’s a blockbuster.
We predict this year’s Vermont Bike Association’s second festival in The Valley will be bigger than last year’s festival and also that the Friendly Gathering at Sugarbush this summer will be a huge success.
Finally, we predict a state championship for at least one Harwood Union varsity team.
See you here next year to compare notes.
