But the truth is, I've been receiving all year long.

I've had readers ask me what I was going to write about on weeks that the Wendell town board doesn't meet.

The backhanded comment is a suggestion that the town board is such fodder for news. And that's true.

But my answer is quick and sure: There's plenty going on.

And, indeed, that has been the case for me this year. A quick look back through the archives include stories about many of the people who make our community a rich place to live.

Regina Harmon was the winner of the Wendell Mayor's Award this year. She is the publisher of The Total Connection, which competes with our newspaper in coverage of local schools.

But the competition is a friendly one and Regina has proven herself to be a git-er-done kind of person in Wendell. She sponsors a number of events and works to make the annual Movie Night in Wendell a treat for the ever-growing number of families who attend each year.

I also met Josh Privette, Emily Sanderson, Greg Martin and Richard Gillespie. Those four young people were the valedictorians at East Wake last year. Each one of them had a sure picture in mind for their own futures. As adults, it's sometimes hard to decide what the future might bring. The futures of those four young people will likely take twists and turns, but it's refreshing to see their youthful optimism.

This year also brought a visit with Jason Seago. The Zebulon firefighter is also a mountain climber. He tackled Mount Hood earlier this year. And though he didn't reach the peak, I figure he's already lying in wait for his next chance. In the meantime, he's turning his avocation into a vocation, guiding other climbers on hikes up mountains throughout the U.S. Like the valedictorians, Jason is sure of himself and his abilities and his skills are enviable to those of us who slip walking down icy steps.

The past 12 months also brought me in touch with Elizabeth Burwell, who celebrated her 101st birthday in Knightdale surrounded by family. Her life has coincided with many of the greatest events in our nation's history. She's seen World Wars I and II, the moon shot, the civil rights fight, and the age of technology. Though her hearing is poor, her health is otherwise good and she was kind to remember her life with me.

And, then there is Sam Epps. He was, without a doubt, the most intriguing person I met in the past year. He retired after 38 years of service to the town of Wendell and the city of Raleigh, working in the public utilities department.

Epps' co-workers threw a party for him and cooked steaks on the grill. They lined up to tell stories about their retired colleague and it was easy to see they appreciated his personality and his willingness to do some of the worst jobs his work could bring.

So, yes, there was plenty to write about in the past year when the Wendell town board took a week off. The people who make up our community are unique in so many ways.

And when they take time to visit with me, it's like Christmas all year long.