YEAR OF GRATITUDE
Are people of tired of dealing was 2020 now that we’re a few days into 2021? Judging by people on Facebook that would be a big YES! People are thankful to be through what few will say was a “good year.” Between the coronavirus pandemic, the run- up and conclusion of the November General Election as well as dozens of other events — minor and major — has left us all exhausted.
No one, we feel, will look back nostalgically in the future and say: “Ah, 2020? That was my favorite year!”
Well, maybe a few people, but not too many.
But despite the pandemic, which created the loneliness of distancing, economic devastation for many businesses and individuals, there were good things that did happen in 2020. Those might have been little pleasures, visible only to those present at the time. But they took place, nonetheless.
It was in that spirit The Democrat posed the question on its Facebook page about what people were most grateful for in 2020? Well, we got zero responses. Nada! Nothing! That’s difficult for even the most cynical to believe.
Fortunately, The Democrat also asked those involved in public service what they thought. And they came through.
So, without further ado, here are a few things people were grateful for in 2020
Rich Lansburgh, Woodland 2020 Mayor: Politics aside I have to admit
that I really like Zoom because it is so efficient. Our council meetings, committee meetings etc., were on zoom or another video platform.
In our house, we have our kids spread out. They are in Los Angeles, Orange County, Paso Robles, and Phoenix. With Zoom we could have family meetings and fun times. In 2020 our family learned to play games on zoom even though separated by so many miles. I was introduced to JackBox which is one of several platforms. My wife and I had so much fun with our kids playing the various games available on JackBox. We really spent some quality time on zoom. My favorite game was Fibbage.
Additionally, in 2020 I started riding my bike in the mornings a few times a week. First, it was one friend, then we added another. And we then added one of my neighbors. The four of us ride bikes as much as we can for the company, the exercise, and the companionship. In these last several months I learned that having close male friends is important to beat the isolation. Even when this pandemic is over I believe the male bonding will continue with these friends. I don’t think this would have happened but for the pandemic since we are all very busy individuals. And lastly, like so many others I would have never ever taken the time to watch the Tiger King series. But I did. All eight episodes.
Tom Stallard, Woodland 2021 Mayor: It has been a year of seemless activity and progress for our City led by Ken Hiatt who picked up the mantle of city manager and has run with it, not letting Covid stall us out. Our citizens and business folks have shown amazing resilience as they have pivoted time and again in the face of changing regulations. People have, on the whole, been a little kinder, a little if not a lot more generous. And yes, life has slowed down a bit providing a welcome opportunity for more reflection. We can certainly be grateful for technology like Zoom and FaceTime which has allowed us to keep going and stay connected regardless of the circumstances. May 2021 see a return to freedom of movement, travel, movies, live music and theater, and dining “in” at our favorite restaurants.
Jake Whitaker, Woodland Joint Unified School District School Board President: I want to express gratitude to all of our teachers, staff, and administrators for their hard work. In response to the COVID19 pandemic, school districts across the nation were forced to reimagine and redesign the way that we provide education. They had to do so completely on the fly. There was no instruction manual, no comprehensive “how- to” guides, and I know that many of our dedicated educators have felt overwhelmed by it all. Yet, all the same, Woodland’s teachers rose to the challenge of distance learning. They’ve done their absolute best to provide a highquality education for Woodland’s students. Our food services team has played a critical role in responding to this pandemic by continuing to provide nutritious meals to our community.
Everyone rose to the challenge and is doing their part. I am grateful that in the year 2020, I have seen the resilience and commitment of these high- caliber public servants first- hand. To every member of the WJUSD family: your dedication to our students is a blessing to our community, especially during these challenging times.
Victoria Fernandez, Woodland City Councilwoman: The year 2020 brought our son, Sgt. Robert E. Fernandez home safely after serving five years in Military Intelligence with the U. S. Army. I am grateful for the memories created by his return. He got engaged and married to Samantha Smolich Fernandez, our first daughterinlaw. They blessed us with our first grandson Elias David Fernandez in December. Our family also received exciting news this year when our son Enrique proposed to his girlfriend Nicole Zanardi. I am grateful for these memorable moments. They remind me that love is stronger than anything, that COVID- 19 can not stop us from loving and caring for one another.
Christine Engel, Woodland director of Community Services:
Something new for me in 2020 has been picnicking — enjoying meals at parks while social distancing with friends.
Angela Baltezore, Woodland Opera House Executive Director: 2020 has taught me patience. I am a person who wants speedy results. This year I have learned to wait, to rest, to enjoy the moment. The present I have received from 2020 has been learning to live in the present!
Mark Fink, Yolo County Librarian: I have three great things that happened in 2020 to share:
Our amazing library staff developed new, innovative strategies to serve our communities, including offering curbside services, providing virtual storytimes and programs, and expanding our eBook and eAudiobook collections.
We developed a program to distribute wi- fi hotspots to one hundred local families who needed internet access for their children to participate in distance learning.
The Board of Supervisors approved the design and funding for the new Yolo Branch Library, and we will break ground in early 2021. The level of community involvement and support for this project has been inspiring — the Friends of the Yolo Branch Library raised $ 150,000 to contribute to the project. Art Pimentel, Woodland Community College President: The year 2020 has taught me to appreciate my professional and personal relationships so much more. I miss those important interactions with people. However, through technology, it has been possible to remain even more connected from a distance. I do look forward to socializing with my friends, neighbors and loved ones again and I remain optimistic that 2021 will bring those opportunities once again. I have mostly enjoyed ( most of the time) helping my seven year old daughter experience her educational journey and watching her two front teeth fall out. What a year!
Daniel T. Kirsch, Woodland resident and professor at Sacramento State and author of “Sold My Soul for a Student Loan”: We could not have anticipated how much time we were gifted with our daughter. We had to make her one- year- old birthday party a one- hour, socially distant, drive- by outdoor lawn affair that was actually extremely fun. ( We paired it with our stuffed teddy bear tea party in the side yard). In March, she was barely walking and making intelligible noises, with hair just covering her head. She has since grown into a running, talking nearly 2- year- old who loves to dance, take the big slide at the playground, tie her hair in ponytails and read books with her parents and cousin. If she had been in some version of daycare and we continued with our busy careers, commute and travel schedule, there is no way we would have enjoyed as much time with her, seeing her grow from a baby to a little girl. Of course, it’s been hard, parenting a toddler always is — but we are lucky to have had two or three times the memories with her that we would have had without a state of home lockdown. And she may not have any memories of this when she grows up, but I hope the feeling of home we’ve found with her is what stays with her in life. This is all to say, in answer to your question, the best thing that happened to us in 2020 was this: We were extremely fortunate to realize that the world gave us more time together as a family, and more specifically, as the parents of the most beautiful child in the world.
Katie Villegas, executive director for Yolo County Children’s Alliance: This year has been incredible. I feel like all of us have gone through so much. We have seen our community in the most desperate state, but we have also witnessed amazing generosity, understanding and kindness.
I have never been so proud of our YCCA Team. They truly stepped up when our clients were in their most vulnerable state. They leaned in and did what they always do in these challenging times: they helped people, they housed people, they fed people, they counseled people, they taught people, they nurtured people and they supported those who needed it most. Our team responded immediately to the needs of our community. They risked their lives to make sure others had what they needed.
Angel Barajas, Yolo County District 5 Supervisor: One good thing that happened to me in 2020 was being trusted by Yolo County District 5 residents to become their next County Supervisor.”
Gary Sandy, former chairman of the Board of Supervisors and representative for the 3rd Supervisorial District: From a personal perspective, the best thing that happened in the midst of this difficult year was witnessing the deep reservoirs of caring and support for their community that people possess. Everywhere, in the face of a debilitating pandemic, the community responded, often at great personal risk, with compassion and courage to care for family, friends and neighbors. Whether it was the nurses and doctors, medical staff, law enforcement and fire, county workers, city employees, in- home supportive service workers, teachers, pastors and priests, school administrators, restaurant and business owners and staff, to farmers and farm workers they stepped up and protected our most vulnerable, mourned those we lost and enabled our community to persevere. It was a difficult year but it was also a remarkable one thanks to the many good and resilient people who surround us. Deborah Bautista Zavala, Woodland School Board Trustee, Area 1: In this pandemic year, I am thankful for our first responders, healthcare workers, food and agricultural workers, childcare workers, but particularly our educators — our school teachers and staff. They confronted the need to adapt to teaching our youth on distance learning while also taking care of their own families. I kneel with gratitude to our educators for their resilience in the face of COVID19. I pray for their health and strength as we continue to fight this epidemic, for all our students’ families, and all who help shape our youth — the leaders of tomorrow!