By Heather Clower
The Parsons Advocate
Why do people make New Year’s resolutions? What makes January 1 different from any other of the three hundred and sixty four days? According to History.com, the Babylonians are responsible for beginning a New Year’s celebration as well as making promises they intended to keep over the next year. To them, the new year began in March at the time of the spring equinox which is when they planted their crops.
Fast forward to 46 B.C., Emperor Julius Caesar decided to coordinate the new year with January 1, which was named after their pagan god Janus, known to the Romans as the one who looked back at previous years and forward to those yet to come. It was because of this belief the Romans offered sacrifices to Janus and made promises to the god for the upcoming year.
In 1740, clergyman and founder of Methodism John Wesley, founded the Covenant Renewal Service commencing on either New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. Today, most people make resolutions based on self improvement which unfortunately very few follow through with. Here is what a few locals plan to do as far as a 2019 resolution.
Kathy Marsh – “To develop a budget plan and stick to it, work towards getting out of debt, and go to Disney”.
Alaina Owens, age 8 – She told her Mommy that she plans on earning as much money as possible towards her horse. Her end goal is to have her horse when she is 11. Also, her goal is to teach her worthless cat to kill a mouse!
Sherry Wright – “I always say I’m going to lose weight; didn’t happen last year. I just want to be a good friend and neighbor and help whenever and wherever I can”.
Isaiah Leary, age 9 – “To save enough money to purchase a calf to show at the 2019 Tucker County Fair”.
Alexander Leary, age 7 – “To purchase chickens and rabbits”.
Joanna Leary, age 10 – “To join the livestock judging team and save enough money to buy a tan calf to show at the 2019 Tucker County Fair, and to win the queen’s contest at the fair”.
Carrie Leary – “To eliminate stress from my life and spend more summer nights camping”.
Sandy Shaffer – “My goal is to be more attentive while folks are sharing their thoughts and wishes and being a secret Santa all year. I also plan to check several projects off my to do list, many that are growing long white beards since they have been on it so long)”.
Faith Moore – “My goal is to begin a plan to purchase a Blue Star Memorial available through the National Garden Club in conjunction with the Mountaineer Garden Club and local Veterans Club. This star is a memorial to all branches of the service. It can be placed along a highway or in a memorial garden. Purchase is through fundraising by the Mountaineer Garden Club and various Veterans organizations”.
Emily Thornhill – “Mine is to spend more time with my husband and kids. Also to have more cows (like that will ever change!)”
Diana Deluca – “To be more kind”.
Hollie Burnside – “My dream is to have an equine therapy/instruction program in Tucker County”.
Hope Crago – “To lose ten pounds and get a discipline down with Ice”. Ice is her horse.
Becky Schultz – “To show Miss G at least three times and sell her”. Miss G is also a horse.
Daniele Wilfong – “It’s my resolution to be involved with the community more in 2019. It’s already growing and thriving so much, I hope to just be a small asset to Tucker County’s growth in some way”.
Dave Asbury – “It is my resolution to get back into shape, start racing with my son, and stop chewing”.
Alma Fowler – “Never make one”.
Lindsey Amie – “Mine is to have my family complete”.
Angie Bartley – “To not sweat the small stuff”.
Heather Clower – “My goal is to get under a twenty second barrel pattern on Astrid (horse) and have at least one hundred trail hours on Immy (horse). Immy is also going to be hauled to cattle sorting and penning events and my goal with that is to get a clean run (all head clear within time limit) on her”.
Daniel Clower – “To be better than last year”.
Paityn Clower, age 7 – “Well, my goal is to, well, have a good time and for me to get happiness and joy”.
Wyatt Clower, age 4 – “I know, I know! Have fun with Alaina”.
It is quite obvious from several of these answers we live in a very giving and helpful community. Many of these resolutions focus around helping others, selfless acts, and being a part of a bigger picture. It is people like this that make Tucker County such a great place to reside.