51°µÍø

Here we are, finally, on the last day of 2020. It has been a year that none of us expected - one that has thrown countless curveballs and changed us in many different ways.

This year, ‘home for the holidays’ has a slightly different meaning. Due to public health restrictions, we will be holding festivities with only our households, missing family gatherings and reunions with friends.

It’s happened. We are heading back into a provincial lockdown . Some called for the move, some dreaded it. For me, it’s a little of both.

Here we are again. But this time, things feel different. I have started working on our Year in Review edition, collecting snippets of articles from 2020 for the Dec. 31 51°µÍø .

I’ll admit it, our Christmas tree is up already. If there was ever a winter to start the most wonderful time of the year a little early, 2020 is the one to do it. I think we all need a boost of festive cheer this year.

A couple snowshoes on the shore of Maligne Lake. | Parks Canada photo Ah, winter. Snow is falling, the ski hill is open, and fresh ice is starting to form around the national park.

November is Family Violence Prevention Month, a time for us to raise awareness and recognize what we can do to help those experiencing it. Family violence is devastating and happens every day, and in many different ways.

Halloween: What was once a single night of chilling celebration now seems to last all month. Spooky season has grown, and I must admit, I love it.

Here we are, seven months later, with the highest active number of COVID-19 cases Jasper has seen yet. The rise, many would say, was inevitable. Doctors have been citing a probable ‘second wave’ since the early days of the pandemic.

Marking the occasion Two milestones are being noted this week. Not only was it Jasper National Park's 113th birthday on Monday, but it is also my anniversary as editor and publisher of the Fitz .