“My hopes are dreams are that everyone stays healthy in the New Year, that our economy gets better quickly, and that we can all hang in there until then. I also hope that my personal finances are less of a struggle.

“Lately, I’ve really been loving some work I’ve been doing, creating beautiful things from scrap. My hope is to do more of that in the New Year, and maybe I can make a business out of it.” — Carmen Hutto, Eutawville

“I hope for good health for everyone and certainly am hoping for the economy of our country to improve.” — Kenny Miller, Santee

“I hope the economy gets better.” — Rebecca Wright, Santee town clerk, adding that world peace is also a wish of hers for the New Year

“I wish the economy would turn around so that I can finish the renovation of my new home.” — Linda Shipley, Santee zoning administrator and codes enforcer

“I hope for prosperity in the United States for everyone in the coming year. Folks are currently going through hard times, losing their homes and their jobs, and this is of great concern to me.” — The Rev. D.L. Grant of Chapel Hill Baptist Church, Santee

“As the 2009 New Year approaches, our wishes and hopes for our loved ones and church family are that they will have a year filled with good health, love, happiness, peace, forgiveness and the freedom to worship God. Our wishes and hope for America, is that we will see a Spirit-filled revival sweep across the country, turning our nation back to God and to see her people of all races united with love, taking back those Godly principles upon which this great nation was founded upon.” — William and Janie Doles, Norway

“Outside traditional wishes for health and well being for our family and friends, we pray that 2009 brings peace to our world filled with dissension, tranquility where there is chaos, and love where there is hate and bitterness. We pray for those stationed in distant lands, fighting to keep our country free, that they return soon and safely to their families. We pray for our children who are the next generation, to have clean water, wholesome food, and the love of God it will take to get them through the hard times. We pray for our new president and government officials to make wise decisions based on conversation with God.

... We would like to see prayer and creation returned and taught to our children alongside other theories of how the world began.” — The Rev. Johnnie and Vicki Bailey of Norway Baptist Church, Norway

Compiled by T&D Correspondents Diane Gainer, Shirley Upton and Peggie Walter.

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