With a new year comes new hope. Many of us will have formulated intentions and resolutions we hope will make our lives and the lives of those we love better and more fulfilling. These intentions and resolutions will lead to actions that will create change in our lives. The prospect of change can be intimidating. However, if we are open to it and embrace its possibilities, the process of going through the change can be thrilling and the result fulfilling.

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A resolution of mine that I began last year and that I will continue with into 2023 was to learn Spanish. Many reasons led to this decision. Learning a new language exercises the brain in vital ways. It also opens our minds to the beauty and nuances of other cultures. As well, my daughters are learning Spanish, and I wanted to be able to converse with them in that language to heighten the experience for us all.

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The hope of moving from one year to another and from winter to spring is also reflected in our communities. As our residents become filled with the hope of the new year, many resolve to spread that hope to others so that they and their families can thrive and fulfill the purpose they were intended for. As they work toward this goal, the chill of the air turns to warmth, the leaves on the trees return, spring blossoms bloom in our gardens, and the green of the grass deepens.

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Our 2023 Top 20 Impact Makers embody the hope of the new year and are shining examples of those who work tirelessly to bring hope to every corner of our community. Without their dedication and vision, many of our vital organizations would not receive the support they require to enhance the lives of others. It is with great pleasure that I congratulate them and thank them for the work they do.

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It is my hope that this, our eighth anniversary issue, enlightens and entertains you. The articles within are designed to bring us together as a community and enrich all our lives. It has been a pleasure putting it together. If in some small way it contributes to a positive change in your life or heightens your sense of hope for 2023, our purpose will have been fulfilled.