Do you hear what I hear?

It’s noisy. And it’s wonderful.

Our communities are once again filled with the sounds of the season.

As we welcomed the holidays, albeit perhaps a little differently with some precautions still in place, the familiar chorus of traditions remained.

• The countdown from 10 as our towns’ trees were lighted to officially kick off the season

• Christmas carols sung

• Sirens of firetrucks blaring as they escorted Santa to deliver gifts to children

• “Ho, ho, ho” from the big guy himself

• Holiday music from school students performing orchestra, band and chorus concerts

• Laughter

• Pure joy in people’s voices

I hope you have enjoyed some of your favorite sounds of this season. As we prepare to bid farewell to 2021, I hope you pause to fully take in the traditions of the year’s end.

• Another countdown from 10 - this time as the ball drops in Times Square

• Champagne bottles popping

• The familiar tune of “Auld Lang Syne”

• Continued laughter

• Even more joy in people’s voices

The sounds of 2022 - familiar and, perhaps, new - could come to us with increased volume. I look most forward to three.

• “Pomp and Circumstance” as my younger daughter graduates from college

• Wedding bells as my older daughter walks down the aisle

• The crash of ocean waves on my favorite beach

Wishing you a joyously noisy 2021 holiday season and new year.

Kelly Lutterschmidt

editor

Whitehall-Coplay Press

Northampton Press

Catasauqua Press