And just like that, another year is in the books.
It seems like it was only yesterday that we rang in the new year in a subdued manner. Public health restrictions were somewhat present, treated more like suggestions rather than rule, with very few of the large public events we traditionally have on Dec. 31.
The past 12 months have been a rollercoaster, starting with the lifting of public health restrictions, then the “Freedom Convoy”, followed by a “return to normal” – minor sports resumed, mask mandates were lifted, and families and friends began to gather for celebrations once again.
Everything was going well. Then inflation reared its ugly head.
Wages did increase, but they didn’t match inflation in most cases. The Ontario Living Wage Network stated in November that the living wage – the hourly wage a worker needs to earn to cover their basic expenses and participate in their community – for our region is $20.70 per hour. That’s a 12.6 per cent increase over 2021.
Those great gas prices we saw at the pumps only two years ago – $0.88 per litre on Dec. 23, 2022 in Wingham, for instance – more than doubled this summer. Gas was over $2 per litre at one point this summer before “settling” at $1.33 per litre as of this writing.
The cost of groceries increased, hitting all of us where it hurts the most – our wallet.
The Ontario Energy Board approved a price increase on natural gas, rather quietly I might add. I know I wasn’t the only one surprised when I opened by gas bill in December.
And interest rates continue to climb. I’m sure explanation how that hurts is needed.
We were all hit with increases on housing costs, fuel and food this year. And grocery chains, oil companies and banks reported record profits.
Coincidence? I think not. However, that is a discussion for another day.
While our wallets may hurt a little more this year, there was plenty to be thankful for in 2022.
For one, we have returned to “normal.” Families are allowed to gather for the holidays and special events; ours kids are back to in-person learning and participating in extracurricular activities; travelling (other than the headaches at the airport) is a lot easier than it was a year ago; and community events are being held once again.
I know the reporters at Midwestern Newspapers found 2020 and 2021 to be exhausting. Exhausting in that we were hyper focused on COVID-19; literally everything we wrote contained “COVID-19” somewhere in the story.
And 2022 was equally as exhausting, but in a much different way.
We were back on the streets of our community reporting on community events, local interest stories, sports and council. Gone were the Zoom meetings in our pajamas, and back were the days of working in the office and getting in the car to cover the community. Weekends went from being quiet to figuring out how to cover everything that needed to be covered.
And as much as it as exhausting at times, we loved every minute of it.
As journalists in a small town, we love seeing the smiles on peoples’ faces at the fair, hockey rink, ball diamond, community centre and park. We love going to cheque presentations where local organizations benefit from the generosity of a local business or service organization. We love the excitement that kids get when you take their picture and they ask, “Is this going to be in the paper?”
As much as we were able to return to normal socially, at work we once again felt whole.
Browsing through the pages of the paper the next two weeks, you’ll get to relive the year that was as we present our annual year in review. By no means is it complete, but hopefully it gives you a glimpse of how busy the community was and how generous it can be.
On behalf of everyone here at Midwestern Newspapers, thank you for your continued support. Without you, the reader and advertisers, we would not be able to publish the paper weekly and be the newspaper of record for the community.
Here’s to a healthy and busy 2023!
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Mike Wilson is the editor of Midwestern Newspapers. Comments, feedback, letters to the editor and/or story suggestions are welcome at mwilson@midwesternnewspapers.com.
