Their images have provided editorial cartoonists with endless inspiration for material, as we reach the end ofeach calendar year:
Old Man Time usually is shown in a robe with a long white beard and a scythe. Baby New Year typically is depicted in diapers with a top hat and sash.
Throughtheir creative use of these personifications of the old and new years, editorial cartoonistsoffer their commentaries about the recent past and outlooks for the near future.
It’s a safe bet that Old Man Time will look particularly haggard and forlorn this year. For 2017 has been a rough year with its senseless mass-killings, endless political diatribe, continuing drug epidemic and struggling institutions.
Yet we tend to be much like our New Year’s characters. We may stagger to the end of 2017 and breathe a sigh of relief while watching the ball drop in Times Square, but – at least for a bit – we’ll charge into 2018 with a renewed sense of purpose and vigor.
Why not? Who would want to drag all of 2017’s baggage into a new year? Let it go. After all, 2018’s baggage will pile up quickly enough.
One of the many things I value about our Alleghenies culture are the ways in which we are encouraged to let the past go and move into the new year – choicesother than the traditional New Year’s Eve drunk and New Year’s Day hangover.
We celebrate with First Night gatherings and First Day hikes.
First Night celebrations bring people together into downtown settings, where they can enjoy performing arts, food and fireworks. If you live within the Alleghenies, you are not far from one of them and even have a choice of small, medium or large celebrations.
Celebration Johnstown is the region’s small one – comparatively speaking. But hundreds if not a couple thousand people will gather in Central Park or walk between the six venues that will offer performing arts and food; a few other places will welcome visitors with open doors and hot chocolate. For more information, plug “Celebration Johnstown” into your Facebook search window.
First Night State College covers much of the downtown and The Pennsylvania State University’s Main Campus. Themed ice sculptures will be placed within specific street blocks, and there will bea variety of live-entertainment venues, carriage rides and food vendors. Visit FirstNightStateCollege.com.
The largest of the eventswill happen in Pittsburgh’s 14-block cultural district where tens of thousands will gather for Highmark First Night Pittsburgh. This arts-focused event will offer dance, theatre, visual arts, comedy and magic as well as live music on outdoor stages; a parade; and two fireworks displays book-ending the evening.
In a fine example of positive spirit, a “Future of Pittsburgh Ball” will rise – not drop – at midnight. For more information, go to FirstNightPgh.TrustArts.org.
Positive starts to a new year don’t end at midnight, though. Increasing numbers of Alleghenians stay in on New Year’s Eve, so they can go out New Year’s Day on “First Day” hikes and outings.
State parks, in particular, have taken to planning First Day activities as a way to encourage people to enjoy nature at what can be a beautiful and bracing time of year. Choices range from relaxing in front of a fire with a cup of hot chocolate to a strenuous five-mile hike with hill-climbs that will get your heart pumping.
Canoe Creek, Greenwood Furnace, Keystone, Ohiopyle, Prince Gallitzin, and Shawnee state parks all have First Day activities planned. All of them are family friendly and most are pet friendly as well (although leashes are required).
Go to GetOutdoorsPA.org to review your options and learn more.
Picture Old Man Time watching fireworks and Baby New Year starting off in hiking boots.If we join them at First Night/First Day events, we can start off 2018 with clear heads and a positive outlook.