Column Editor's letter
When the magic of the holidays fills the air, we hope you find it everywhere! To prep for writing my December letter, I put on Christmas music, spray Frasier Fir room scent in my office and seriously consider having some eggnog. I enjoy the holidays, the magic of the season, inclusive of all the elements, going to small parties (yes there are a few this year!), shopping on First Street and going to live performances once again. The Holiday Open House is back, along with the tree lighting, the Christmas Parade and Holiday Market, all hosted by Benicia Main Street and the City. The Open House will include beverages and entertainment, treats from the stores and great opportunity to shop while costumed carolers sing traditional Christmas tunes. We can’t wait to enjoy all the wonder of the holidays. This was a stumbling year. A pandemic of confusion and an emotional roller coaster for all. The City worked very hard to help businesses survive. There were many milestones, a rush of positive thinking and positive and decisive actions. There was the first vaccination clinic in February at the senior center, orchestrated by the City, that vaccinated 1,400 people in 4 hours. Benicia Main Street was lifeblood to many First Street stores with their wine walks, Farmers Market, and other events. Philanthropy was rampant. Soroptimist, Lions Club, St. Paul’s, Community Action Council, and many other organizations stepped up to sew masks and provide food and other necessary items to our less privileged citizens. We did lose some wonderful people and places, and we will surely miss them. Benicia will meet the changing times resulting from the pandemic. It will change as needed while preserving its historic past. One bright spot in the preservation of our history is the new executive director of the Benicia Historical Museum, Jen Roger. I bring Jen up for two reasons. First, because in our November issue, we missed an important element in Jen’s work history; she was the Volunteer Coordinator, Exhibits and Collections Manager of the well known Hiller Aviation Museum, located in San Carlos prior to her position with the Benicia Historical Museum. And second, she will be instituting First Fridays at the Museum in early 2022 which will include live music, food trucks and cocktails and an opportunity to see what’s new at the museum. We look forward to touring the museum and seeing Jen Roger’s wonderful plans unfold. As we end this truly exceptional year, we are ready to toast the season in kind.
@beniciamagazine
Cheers! Mary
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“The world is encouraged to come away from rancor.
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8 • Benicia Magazine
Come the way of friendship.” — Maya Angelou, Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem
