The City Scene
Looking forward to 2008 with David Attenborough
By Lindsay Sauvageau

Like a spectacular gift from the powers that be, the snow and chill that has winterized (and in some cases traumatized) the Northeast for the last few months melted away briefly this week. Instead of scraping car windows, we were rolling them down on Monday. Instead of shoveling the walk, we were taking one.

Tuesday rose to the occasion - as it has a tendency to do, nestled between the manic stigma of Monday and the hump-day distress of Wednesday - and, following a warming streak, the afternoon carried with it a blissful record high of almost 60 degrees.

It was a daydreaming sort of day for me.

As I drove, I luxuriated in the way my newest iPod playlist (featuring such artists as Cool & the Gang and Queen) was having its way with my eardrums. On Route 12 singing, "Don't Stop Me Now" back-to-back with "Get Down On It," I began to wonder what surprises 2008 might bring for residents and reporters alike.

Pushing aside the desire to stop for a watermelon Slush Puppy, I drove to work imagining what new artists and events might influence the months to come.

I had fun with the idea. I imagined I was watching a fictional documentary (narrated by Sir David Attenborough, of

course), which

identified the people, places and events that would be shaping the New Year.

Sir David was as over the top as ever, beginning with, "Year-round, inspiration, talent and dedication commingle in the streets and hearts of the Ashburnham-Westminster community. Such phenomena bring about remarkable spectacles of creativity and vision as to defy imagination. And as these towns continue to flourish, blossoming under the influential rays of hope and perseverance, 2008 should prove to be no different…"

In the mock documentary being projected inside my head, Sir David roamed around the center of town, getting excited about the possibilities of '08. Going through a list of area's biggest events, Sir David, with a certain amount of gesticulating dignity, expressed a great amount of enthusiasm when giving his predictions.

For the towns' two biggest summer events, Ashburnham's Downtown Day and the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Benefit Day in Westminster, Sir David said he foresaw the inclusion of a myriad of new vendors, activities, games, rides and music. He foresaw a trip into the past as the Ashburnham Municipal Light Company and Aubuchon Hardware each celebrates 100 years of operation.

All in all, 2008 looks like it will be a great year for entertainment. Whether you listen to me and my inner Attenborough, or simply believe in the continued and constantly evolving creativity of the community, the future looks bright.