2008.  Farewell, it was a pleasure, no really, it was.

What an interesting and headscratchingly wild year it has been.  2008 gave us the end of what seemed like the longest election cycle in history which coincidentally this election made.  The Phillies broke the Championship drought for Philly fans everywhere.  We now have a reason to cheer besides when Dallas loses.  The Olympics gave us an awe inspiring and history making performance by Michael Phelps while tying our patriotic fibers tighter.  The Schuylkill United Way posted their 2nd most successful campaign in their history, this while a recession loomed over all of us.  J Bertolet VW celebrated our 45 year in business! 

With the good, this year gave us our fair share of bad as well as the good.  Yet even out of the bad we see the collective resolve and determination on the faces of all Americans.  We feel the hope burning brighter inside of us as we hold onto our belief of a brighter day around the corner.  We have looked at despair in the face and we are refusing to back down.  We again show the world why the United States of America is the brightest beacon of light and why we are the greatest country in the world.

We all have a lot to be thanful for.  Our families, our friends, our businesses or jobs, our sports teams, our health.  We can be thankful to be in a country that offers hope for everyone.  Recently I was told the meaning of Hope by a 12 year old girl.  She told me that Hope meant, "Helping Other People Everyday.".

I don't think we could have said it any better.  Thank you all.  Thank you for another year.  Goodbye to 2008 and we welcome 2009 with open arms.  Best wishes to all of our family and friends.  Peace on Earth and goodwill to everyone.

Jack Bertolet.