Paper horns, noisemakers, tasseled head pieces. Reminiscent, somewhat stereotypical, and still today those are accessories to New Year’s Eve gatherings. Much as this is, when the clock strikes 12, signaling a new year, everyone breaks into chorus singing “Auld Lang Syne.” Everyone knows the first couple of lines of that song “should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind.” After that initial line, we all mumble through the rest of the song. Pretty much like we did in 2020. We started off on a good note and then kind of mumbled our way through the rest of the year. When Robert Burns, a Scottish poet, penned “Auld Lang Syne” in 1788, his inspiration came from remembering friends and events of the past and beginning anew. Much like we will do as we welcome 2021.
If I could make reference to another more recent tune it would be a song Neil Sedaka wrote in 1960 titled “Calendar Girl.” The opening line in that song reads “January, you start the year off right.” Let’s hope we start the year off right, avoid mumbling, and make it a great year. I’m certain we have some unused New Year’s resolutions leftover from 2020 that we can re-implement. If you were able to complete last year’s list perhaps you can make a new one with vision and direction as we move ahead.
It took a tremendous amount of vision and perseverance years ago when the Rural Electrification Administration was formed leading the way to lighting up rural America. The very first electric high line pole was set in Kansas in 1937 near Holton on the Brown-Atchison cooperative system. Little did they know then how the industry would grow into what it is today. Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., representing distribution and generation cooperatives, employees and all consumer-members of electric cooperatives, is so proud to be a part of this industry for the past 80 years. KEC will continue to provide the best products and programs possible for its members for years to come. As KEC celebrates this milestone, I would like to thank all those past and present who have contributed in providing power and energy for rural America.
Have a happy, safe and prosperous new year everyone!
Terry Hobbs is the board president for Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. He is also a member of Western Cooperative Electric’s Board of Trustees in WaKeeney.