Happy Friday!
It’s the first day of 2021 and many are looking to this year as one of hope. Though we’re still in the same pandemic as we were yesterday, there is something about Jan. 1 that instills a sense of reset and fresh focus. My New Year’s resolution is to get out of the house as much as possible once it is safe to venture outdoors unmasked again -- it’s almost hard to imagine, isn’t it?
Recommended Videos
Being cooped up inside has made me think of all the events and trips I’ve passed up over the years. Even small things like taking my daughters to weekday storytimes or Dancing Babies classes at AADL -- I won’t take that for granted when it all returns.
In typical year-end fashion, I’ve curated some of our top stories of 2020 -- including some of my personal favorites.
Have a great weekend and Happy New Year.
- Meredith (@meredith_A4)
Top stories of 2020:
🤒 Our No. 1 most-read story of the year -- by a landslide -- was from March 11 when it was revealed that one of Michigan’s first-ever COVID patients was being treated at Michigan Medicine.
😷 “We are absolutely terrified.” Service workers petitioned the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners in June to extend the initial closure of dine-in service.
🔨 The historic Michigan Union reopened to the public after 20 months of renovations to the tune of $86.6 million.
📖 Tom and Cindy Hollander announced the closure of their decorative paper store, Hollander’s, in Kerrytown Market & Shops after nearly 30 years.
👒 Down the street, the owners of The Treasure Mart, Carl and Elaine Johns, announced the business was for sale after Elaine was diagnosed with ALS. With no buyer, the shop closed for good after 60 years over the summer. Elaine lost her battle with the neurodegenerative disease in late November.
🤖 Local chalk artist David Zinn kept spirits up at the onset of the pandemic with his whimsical little creatures. His doodle reign continued as the weather warmed up.
🎼 With schools closed for the foreseeable future, students in Pioneer High School’s Theatre Guild performed a song from their canceled spring production of “Les Miserables” remotely and it’s pretty impressive.
〽️ This University of Michigan-themed home hit the market this year. Warning: This level of fandom cannot be unseen.
📸 A physician assistant at Michigan Medicine made waves with her stunning mosaic portraits of her coworkers wearing personal protective equipment at the onset of the pandemic.
💕 Operation Face Shield Ann Arbor was launched by a nurse who saw a need for face shields in hospitals, clinics and local businesses. The community banded together, donating funds and time in the form of their 3D printers to make the PPE.
✊ Local residents demonstrated on Juneteenth in downtown Ann Arbor to mark the holiday and march against racism and police brutality in the wake of George Floyd’s killing.
🍝 The owner of Foodies Catering parked his food truck in Muehlig Funeral Chapel’s parking lot downtown and handed out free meals to service industry workers, first responders, bus drivers, postal workers and nurses for two months.
🆘 Downtown Ann Arbor business owners spoke to us candidly about what the pandemic has done to their establishments ahead of an underwhelming holiday season.
🌳 You’ve never seen U-M’s campus like this before. Have a look at this alum’s 30,000-piece Lego model of central campus.
✉️ Have something to share? Write me anytime at mbruckner@wdiv.com.
Know someone who loves Ann Arbor? Forward them the A4 newsletter! Want to sign up? Go here!
All About Ann Arbor is powered by ClickOnDetroit/WDIV.