It is hard to believe we are approaching the year’s end, and with it brings thoughts of reflection, anticipation, and excitement for the year ahead.

2025 has been quite a transitional year here at the Town Tribune, as the paper is now also available in digital format. It wasn’t an easy decision to change the 50+ year tradition of free home delivery to all residents, but it was a necessary one to keep our community paper viable. I am happy to report that feedback has been outstanding! The options for free digital papers, delivered weekly to inboxes; free weekly pickup of print editions at local businesses, and paid subscriptions for home delivery, are practical options for all residents. Thank you all for your enthusiasm and encouragement. If you haven’t done so, please visit our website at: thetowntribune.com and see all the choices available to keep you connected.

As always, we’ve been busy preparing for our holiday issues! I am blessed again this year to have met many new acquaintances and look forward to continuing our work in the New Year. My years at the newspaper have given me so much to be grateful for, including the opportunity to give a little back to the community. I look forward to my visits each week with local business owners and Towns’ officials, alike. Our small businesses are instrumental in keeping New Fairfield and Sherman the close-knit communities they’ve always been. It is especially heartwarming this time of year, seeing all the festive decorations and watching the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

Publishing holiday greetings for our communities was a tradition here at the paper long before I started over 25 years ago. Reading the heartfelt messages for friends and neighbors and the special “thank yous” to all of us here at the Town Tribune has always been the highlight of the season. We appreciate every one! Publishing these colorful pages of the season is the perfect way to bring one year to a close and prepare to ring in another– together.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the talented Town Tribune staff. Bill, Sarah, Jeannie, DJ, Susan, Michelle, Maria, Jennifer, Cherry, and Dolly, you truly are the heartbeat of the paper. Your hard work, support, and friendship keeps me going each week, and your dedication is a blessing to us all!

To our Advertisers: THANK YOU – we couldn’t do this without you! Thank you for your confidence and continued support and, above all, for your friendship. I wish you success for many years to come.

To our Readers: Thank you for being a part of our community news! The Town Tribune takes pride in providing a connection for ALL our towns’ residents, even when it means publishing information we may not all agree with. Sharing news of local happenings and events is the best way to keep you informed. With your help, we will continue to keep our communities connected through an unbiased platform available to all. We look forward to celebrating our 10th anniversary with YOU in 2026!

As we prepare for our final issue of 2025, I thank you for your kindness and for helping our family be a part of your family for so many years.

Here’s to a healthy, Happy 2026, and I wish you all a Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and a blessed holiday season!                     – Marylou