Happy 2013!

We survived the anticipated “end of the world.” Now it’s time for a new beginning. I don’t know how many of you set resolutions each January, only to forget about them in a few weeks time or less.

As of the time of the writing of this column, the socalled “fiscal cliff” was still facing us and the prospects for the oncoming year were not looking too promising. Possible recession? $8 gallon of milk? Higher cereal and meat costs?

I started wondering if anything significant happened in other years ending in 13. Here’s what I found:

The first pineapples were planted in Hawaii in January 1813.

The first U. S. cotton to cloth mill was founded in Waltham, Mass. in February 1813.

Rubber was patented in April 1813.

In September 1813, the term Uncle Sam was used for the first time in reference to the United States.

It was January 1913 that the U.S. Post Office started parcel post deliveries.

The first sedan–type car (Hudson) went on display at the 13th Auto Show in New York City in January 1913.

The 16th amendment was ratified creating the federal income tax in February 1913.

The first prize was inserted into a Cracker Jack box in February 1913.

The Brooklyn Dodgers played their first game in Ebbetts Field in April 1913.

The thermometer reached 134 degrees in Death Valley, Calif. in July 1913, which remains as the highest temperature ever recorded in the U.S.

President Woodrow Wilson signed the Owen-Glass Act, creating the Federal Reserve System in December 1913.

So what happens in 2013? Only time will tell, but I don’t think it will all be bad based on the previous two centuries.

All I know is my 2012 came to a good ending with a visit by daughter Holly and her family and step-daughter Toni and her husband, Jason. They came in for Christmas. And through the magic of Facetime we watched the grandkids in New Jersey open their presents.

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Our museum family and the community lost a great volunteer and friend, Joe Skehen. He died on Christmas Eve of complications related to lymphoma.

Joe was a true gentleman and donated much of his time to organizations in the community. He was a past chairman of the Chamber Ambassadors, past president of the Fountain Hills Republican Club and past president of the Senior Citizens Foundation.

I understand he and wife Debbie became boyfriend and girlfriend in kindergarten. They were married for 55 years. His smiling face will be missed at the museum and elsewhere around town.

He would like to be remembered through a donation to the River of Time Museum, P.O. Box 17445, Fountain Hills, AZ 85269.

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Those of you who have not notified us that your listing information in the Fountain Hills & Verde Communities Telephone Directory may have changed in the past year need to do so immediately.

Take the time to fill out the coupon on Page 1A and return it to us by Friday, Jan. 4.