Thanks for picking up the winter issue of Huron-Perth Boomers! We have another great issue for you, with one story in particular that gave me pause. It’s about beating the winter blahs (Page 4), and it explains how we’re physiologically dispositioned to conserve energy at this time of year, so we need to stop being so hard on ourselves when we feel the need to hibernate during the cold winter months.

The seemingly endless grey days that winter can bring does dampen my spirit, so this year I’m going to make an extra effort to get outside as much as possible, whether just going for a walk (read our story on Page 8 about safe winter walking), cross-country skiing, playing with my kids or public skating at our local arenas. Sometimes, the crisp air is all I need to get the bounce back in my step.

Much of our ability to enjoy the outdoors this time of year, of course, depends on what Old Man Winter brings. With the past two winters being so mild, the prognosticators are unsure of what to expect this year – some say we’re in for a ‘true Canadian winter’ with deep snow and long cold snaps, while others see another ‘open’ winter, with yo-yoing temperatures and on-again, off-again snow. Though I’m not a huge fan of the white stuff, I do hope it’s one way or the other instead of bouncing between cold and mild. It could be an old wives tale that cold weather kills the bugs that make us sick, but I know the past two winters have allowed cold and flu season to hang around our house for what felt like the entire winter, as it did with most of our family and friends as well.

Regardless of what the winter brings, I must thank our writers, advertisers, distributors and readers for their continued support as we approach our second anniversary, which we’ll achieve with our Spring 2018 issue. Your kind words and willingness to be a part of the magazine allows us to be an important and entertaining resource for adults 50+ in Huron and Perth counties.

Happy holidays and all the best in 2018!