Highlights and lowlights put life in perspective

The calendar page has flipped to December. Before we know it, another year will be in the books.

There is no doubt 2017 will be remembered as a mercurial year – very high highlights and very low lowlights.

By the end of the month the yearlong recaps will be seen everywhere. The “Keeping Score” research team (me) will be very busy with holiday parties, Christmas shopping and general celebrating … so it seemed like a good idea to get an early jump on the year’s news.

Below is a list of highlights and lowlights, national and local, infused with a sprinkling of tongue-in-cheek analysis.

• Not a political statement, just the facts. When Donald Trump won the election, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was 18,000. Now it is 24,000. Stunning growth in less than a year.

• Sadly, the year marked the loss of three oldest, closest friends. None made it out of their 60s. Two died from lung cancer. One from a heart attack. All three were longtime smokers. To those who are still smoking, for your own sake and the sake of those who love you … put the cigarettes down. Now!

• Matt Lauer joined the ranks of Bill Clinton … as both always will be associated with an image of them sitting in their grand offices, with their pants down at their ankles.

• Pedestrians and bikers happily continue to use the new 14foot wide addition to the Betzwood Bridge in Valley Forge. It opened in April of 2016 and this first, full-year of use by walkers/riders marks the end of a 20-year project. Only question remaining … why did it take so long?

• Spring marked the opening of the heralded Jaguar Exhibit at Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown. It immediately was proclaimed “the best jaguar exhibit in the country.” It is another step in the stunning growth of the zoo.

• Most disgusting aspect of the wave of sexual harassment claims to hit the news is the fact that more than one elected public official used taxpayer funds to pay off would-be whistle blowers. They play … and we pay.

• Amazing contrast – interest in the Philadelphia Eagles never has been higher. Even non-football fans are watching the games. But interest in the rest of the NFL is plummeting. Most common comment this year: “I don’t watch any NFL games anymore … except for