Trending
ELKINS -- Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many people are feeling optimistic as the calendar year turns over and the 2020 flips to 2021, hopeful that the next 12 months will be better than last year.
"Even though we don't know really where we are going or what's happening for sure, I'm definitely looking forward to 2021," said Elkins Mayor Van Broughton. "More and more people are getting vaccinated each day, so hopefully we can get the coronavirus under control and get back to our normal lives.
"It would be nice if things would get better overnight, but it's not going to happen like that, so we need to be patient and continue do all the things we're doing to protect ourselves and others," the mayor said. "I think the new year is going to get off to a slow start, but I think it's going to eventually get better as the days, weeks and months progress."
Newly elected Randolph County Sheriff Rob Elbon is looking forward to being able to discard those annoying masks that everyone seems to be growing tired of wearing.
"I really don't like wearing it at all," said Elbon. "But I wear it out of respect for everyone else and to protect others. I really hope it doesn't become the normal of having to wear one all the time."
Randolph County Clerk Brenda Wiseman said she missed out on many things last year, such as vacations and family gatherings at her home. So, the first thing she wants to do when things get better is hit the road.
"I'd like to go on a trip somewhere, on a little vacation out of state," Wiseman said. "I don't know if it will be to the beach or where for sure, but I'd like to go somewhere once things start getting better. I can't predict the future, but I'm really hoping that things begin to turn around soon.
"I'm sure hoping the vaccine makes a difference. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's going to work and get us back to normal."
Newly elected Randolph County Magistrate Tracy Harper agrees.
"We were able to go camping and do some Harley riding, but we didn't get to do a lot of the stuff we normally get to do this year," she said. "I' m definitely ready for another beach vacation once things get back to normal. That's one of the first things I want to do."
Social gatherings, from a holiday dinner to a meeting of a few friends for a cold one, became almost non-existent as 2020 wore on.
Elkins Fire Department Chief Tom Meader missed having such gatherings gone for his department and is hopeful they will return in 2021.
"I want the family-like atmosphere back like we've always had here in this department," Meader said. "Where people can just stop by and say hello if they want. I want to be able to have the retired guys come back in and have a cup of coffee in the morning. And most of all to be able to have our regular get-togethers and our dinners we usually have."