Each week Concord Patch will bring you our favorite things about Concord and we invite you to join in with yours!

This week, Janet Beyer shares her five favorites! 

2010 brought both stability and change. Both are good. My five favorites are:

1) The start of Patch and an opportunity to work with them. I was encouraged to write a column and jumped at the chance. The encouragement of the editorial staff, fellow writers and friends has been not only gratifying, but also ego boosting. I love meeting people on the street who have read a column and comment on it. Patch is catching on and more power to it. Part of its allure is being able to check on towns across the country where friends and relatives live.

2) The elections. I love the energy and excitement that people bring to elections, from the get-go in March to the finale in November. I love seeing the supporters holding signs around the flagpole, in good or foul weather. And in my sign-holding experiences I have found that workers for opposing candidates do not hesitate to guard your sign when needed or bring you a cup of coffee if they are heading out for one. I would like to see that cooperation of the campaign workers extended to the halls of power.

3)  Ice Skating. One thing to be said for cold weather is the sound of skates on ice and the grace and speed of skaters young and old. Those just learning and those who can ice dance across the local ponds, I could watch them forever. The down side is that watching them reminds me of the time I could race across the flooded cranberry bog out my front door and ignore the cold finger tips. A bonfire at the dam at the end of the bog warmed our toes and cocoa would be waiting when we got in. I cannot bring myself to throw out my skates, but I must take my pleasure in watching others.

4) Stability Part One. Every morning when I drive downtown for my coffee, the dog group is meeting on Emerson Field. The dogs know each other and romp while their owners talk. A group has been meeting for at least two decades. I hope they continue for decades to come.

5) Stability Part Two. The predictability of the folks who at specified times meet to eat or talk or get their coffee at certain places, alone or with others. You know who you are and I hope I see you all in 2011.

Janet Beyer is a columnist for Concord Patch. Her Thoughts & Afterthoughts column runs weekly.