The year 2018 has contained a lot of memories for the Heart of Virginia. Before the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, we have the opportunity to remember welcoming change that’s taken place in this year, in addition to honoring people who have died.

We have the opportunity to remember milestones for ourselves and loved ones, experience pride in the ways we’ve grown and gratitude for the chance to learn from living, even if the lessons can sometimes be painful.

The region saw some pretty amazing business opportunities come through the area, with the opening of Hotel Weyanoke in Farmville and the very recent announcement of YakAttack creating 34 jobs in Prince Edward County by moving its production into the former STEPS Centre.

A disposal and recycling center, Green Ridge, approved in Cumberland County in June has created tensions, opposition, and multiple opportunities for citizens to dialogue and stand for their beliefs.

The election saw an outpouring of participation in all three of our coverage areas: Buckingham, Cumberland and Prince Edward. People lined the polls to vote for state and local representatives.

Just as importantly, we saw various members of our community use time, effort and skill to help make their counties better places to live. This comes anywhere from volunteering at Farmville Area Habitat for Humanity or the Virginia Children’s Book Festival, to donating to gift baskets for seniors through Piedmont Senior Resources’ 2018 SUBARU SHARE THE LOVE EVENT recently, to serving in their places of worship, classrooms and places of work.

Heavy snowfalls, tearing winds and flooding from Hurricanes Florence and Michael had an enormous impact on the county’s roadways, powerlines and homes, effects that are still visible on secondary roads and area streams and rivers. The county has pulled together, not only helping out their neighbors in the county, but also helping out friends and loved ones in surrounding counties and looking further, delivering supplies to those in other states who were impacted by the storms.

If this year is any indication, it can be amazing what takes place in 365 days. Here’s to another year, just one shy of 20