Lisa 1120
It’s December now, usually a time for decorating for Christmas and toasting in the New Year… but this year has been very different and deserves some extra special toasts as we have all come through a lot.
Many people spent time earlier this year worrying about their jobs, their health and well being, how much to stock up on essentials, and also watching their ‘go-anywhere’ freedom become very limited. While others worried, growers were busy managing farm labour and getting their tender fruits off the tree, processed and delivered in a timely manner.
The phrase, ‘we are better together’ was the action phrase for growers, who handled their own crises but also helped neighbours get their fruit harvested and into trucks for delivery. The U-pick and market operations took great care making sure their fruit was readily available.
Wineries and cideries adjusted tasting rooms to offer intimate tastings with the recommended protocols, stepped up their online shipments and welcomed local wine drinkers who responded with more purchases.
It seems appropriate at this time of year to share something I found on social media. It was an image that popped up that read, “If you have the chance to make someone happy, do it. The world needs more of that.”
We do need more kindness right now and especially toward others with all the division in the world today. Additional comments from the post from @katthegrape on Instagram read, “Choose kindness, it is always the right choice and the right time for being someone’s bright light.’”
So this year I’m inviting you to include a toast of kindness… to loved ones, co-workers and also to those who may have made you angry. We are better together, even if we might disagree.
In this Year End Issue we look over the year, talked to people in the various industries and asked some of our readers what has happened in their world this past year. I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed putting it together.
We kindly toast you and your families, wishing you all the best, from all of us at O&V.
Enjoy the magazine!