A look back at the year we are about to leave reveals, as most years do, a mixture of positive and negative news stories in the pages of the Powell Tribune.

Well, Christmas is over for another year.

And a pleasant Christmas it was.

The deaths of 26 people, 20 of them children, in a Connecticut elementary school has, understandably, raised questions about school safety here in Powell.

The death of any child by homicide stirs deep emotions, but, when a stranger with no apparent motive, but with a lot of firepower, wipes out an entire first-grade class, the anguish affects the entire nation. As we have seen when similar shootings have occurred in the past, that anguish sparks discussions about how we can prevent such tragedies in the future.

Recently, we were treated, by way of the Internet, to a musical performance by a group that might just have a future.

The mini-concert came when our Minnesota grandchildren visited their cousin Kana, on the occasion of her birthday. After the presents were revealed and the cake and ice cream consumed, the kids vanished into another room, from which the sounds of children playing and singing emanated while the adults visited.

Last week was the official opening of the iTunes Christmas playlist on our family computer.

One of the major benefits of living in Powell and Park County is the quality of medical care available.

Still, as in virtually every other part of America, there are those for whom it is unavailable because they cannot afford it. 

Basically, I’ve had a pretty easy life.

I haven’t had too many real troubles over the 68.58 years since 1944. I’ve had a happy childhood and a good marriage that included some really nice in-laws and brought two kids, neither of which ever had to be bailed out of jail. Best of all, the two of them have given me the four smartest grandchildren in the galaxy.

Living in Park County among a hoard of Republicans long ago convinced me that I was living in one of the most, if not the most, conservative counties in Wyoming.

Rational discussions needed for America to move forward

On this Election Day, there is a great deal of uncertainty about which party will be in charge of our nation’s future for the next four years. Polling has shown it to be an extremely close race and, at best, the pollsters are making only educated guesses about the outcome.

With the election only a few days away, I thought I’d get in a few more comments before I go back to having fun with this column.

First of all, I will vote YES for the fifth-cent sales tax.