We always say it: “Where did the past year go?” This year was no different. It flew by.
A year ago, as a Chamber staff, we looked at 2023, crossed our collective fingers and said, “This year will be great.”
It was. From a Chamber standpoint: 62 new members came to us in 2023 … We did nearly 30 ribbon cuttings … We held three Women 2 Women events and hosted four Quarterly Breakfasts … We had an Annual Banquet, Golf Tournament, Scavenger Hunt, and Christmas Parade and those wonderful Coffee Co-Ops … and a renovation that turned our Chamber building into something extremely beautiful.
There is so much to be proud of as a Chamber, as Osceola County and as St. Cloud and looking into 2024 we’re excited for you to see the great things we have planned.
But, let’s talk about you … and we always love to do that.
Here’s my New Year’s wishes for you in 2024.
May you travel to some place you’ve never been with people you love and take a thousand pictures with no desire to delete even one.
May you reconnect with someone who has been away from you for many years, and may the conversation pick up like you never left it.
May you look into the eyes of a two-year-old and see them shimmer with delight over an ice cream cone, and may you both wear some of it on your chins, including the sprinkles.
May you stop to count your blessings and find that they far outweigh the concerns and troubles that seem so daunting.
May the burden of those same concerns and troubles be shared with those around you who stand ready to link arms with you, always looking ahead to the Answer.
May we all find great comfort in venturing out into the unknown year together and in harmony.
And, may we all share this same moment a year from now looking back at a year that was memorable for its blessings.
For Indhiana, Heather, Abigail and our entire Chamber family, Happy New Year to one and all.
Dirk Webb is the CEO and President of the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce.
