February on My Mind
Brrr…it’s February. But wait a second, this year’s winter really has not been that bad.
Add to this that February is the shortest month of the year. Here in the Greater Susquehanna Valley, this month averages out to be both the coldest and the driest month of the year. However, with the recent changes in climate and the general unpredictability of the weather—all bets are off when it comes to what average really is or is not.
For some folks, we are in the depth of the bleak mid-winter. For others, this is the time of the year to flee south for warmer climates and sunshine. Most years, my wife and I plan our winter vacation during this month. We like to say we are heading to the Caribbean, “to warm our bones.” We are both at the age that extended cold snaps seem to exacerbate our everyday aches and pains. This year, we keep our winter travels local and take a few days off to explore the best of our valley.
One thing that I know for sure is that this month will be no time to hibernate. Plenty of folks love this time of year to do socially distanced outdoor winter activities that range from skiing and snowboarding to ice fishing and bug-free hikes in the woods. Following the guidelines to help stop the spread of COVID-19, indoor will and should be kept to a minimum at least for a few more months.
Your Chamber is kicking off a year-long series of events that have been re-cast to celebrate our Second Century of Prosperity. The first big event will be on March 19th for our Annual Economic and Strategic Forecast with Dr. Anirban Basu of the Sage Policy Group. Always an action and fact packed event, this year’s forecast is scheduled on the One Year Anniversary of our state being closed down due to COVID-19.
February is also Heart Health Month. To this end, I am proposing a round of applause to the Evangelical Community Hospital, this month’s Voice of the Valley featured sponsor. Whenever I get the chance, I call-out to the good people who work in Evangelical’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Center. Without being overly dramatic, let me say, these folks saved my life.
After major heart surgery a few years ago, the good people at the Rehab Center helped me to regain my health, my strength, and a speedy return to the active lifestyle that I continue to enjoy today. I know that I am one of the lucky ones. Not everyone gets to experience a major cardiac event and then thrive afterwards. The people of the Evangelical Cardiac Rehab Center, in fact every Evan Community Hospital department employee, is truly a blessing. We are all luckier and healthier thanks to the work that is done at Evan each-and-every day.
Sincerely,
Bob Garrett
President & CEO
The Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce
Message from the President: February on My Mind
Monday, February 1, 2021
