Is it old, or historic? Weathered, or seasoned? Classic or out of date? Nostalgia is a funny thing. What's worthy of scorn for being yesterday's fashion to one generation may end up being held in high regard by those who come later. Thus it is that Havre de Grace's having recently been honored as a semifinalist for a national award for comprehensive downtown revitalization is something of an odd distinction. The award is presented by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Will the latest efforts at revitalization in the city's old downtown be what the next generation expects out of such efforts? Only time will tell.