The end of another year.

When I was in grade school I imagined the world 65 years later. It was the time of the “Jetsons,” “Lost In Space,” and “The Outer Limits.” Yet nothing on TV ended up representing the world of today. We are still travelling in cars stuck in traffic. A hamburger is made the same way, and my 2025 stove still cooks my food like my mother’s 1960 stove did if only with more BTUs.

What has changed? President Trump is right about one thing girls don’t need thirty dolls. And boys can do with a little less too. We received one big toy and a couple of smaller ones for Christmas.

One year I think I got something called the “Blue and the Gray.” It was civil war battle soldiers with cannons, tents, a bridge, and a farmhouse. It probably set my parents back $20. There was one black & white television, a couple of cheap radios, a record player, and no other electronics in our homes.

Because there was so little in the home, as kids we found our entertainment at the movies, at the ball game, in the playground or mostly at church. Movies were a quarter for kids during the day, ball games were about $2, and the church was free. This time of year, we spent a lot of time there.

Christmas was and is a special time. For me it was a time of cheap toys, dragging a tree home from the street seller, and singing Christmas carols. We sang them not only in church but at home, in school, and just a group of us outside our building. We rehearsed to sound better not only for the choir but for ourselves.

It seems that we were not as much observers as participants in life. All year long, groups of us would sing songs from the radio, from records, or what we heard from others. Just like we weren’t passive observers as much as active participants.

In our last edition of 2025, our columnists give you their views on their nonprofits, politics and the holiday season. Look at Stacy Ranieri’s column for some new words for 2025. We report several stories from Martin County and Stuart that should interest our readers.

I hope you are getting into the season and have festivities planned. From our columnists, behind the scenes friends, Polly, and myself. We want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Kwanza, and Channukah. See you in 2026. Happy New Year.

Have a great Sunday Morning!