HAPPY NEW YEAR

NEW YEAR arrives in the blink of an eye, the chime of an hour, the turn of a new calendar page.

As I sit here in the cottage pondering what 2009 will bring, I send my best wishes for good health, much happiness, and prosperity for you and yours. My sincere hope is that this will be a good year for each and every one of us.

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The song "Auld Lang Syne" is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the New Year. At least partially penned by Scotsman Robert Burns in the 1700's, it was first published in 1796 after his death. An old Scottish tune, "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago" or simply, "the good old days".

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne

We'll take a cup of kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

Sing out tonight!