With the coming of each new year, many people get predictably festive and offer "Happy New Year" salutations to everyone they encounter.

In Havre de Grace, folks have real reasons to be festive, not the least of which is the annual New Year's Eve Duck Drop that welcomes the next upward digit in the annual chronology.

Traditionally, some folks get lit up on New Year's Eve and not in the way that the fireworks cascading over the Havre de Grace Middle School do. Like it not, their spark is too much alcohol or other forms of partying. We encourage those who do imbibe to stay out from behind the wheel of a motor vehicle and to refrain from other behavior that can land people in the hospital, in jail or both. Beginning a new year on an easily avoided misstep is never good. Don't drink and drive. Be smart, stay healthy and alive.

The arrival of a new year has long been a cause to celebrate. That's true whether dating to the Romans or later to the Brits or later still to the Americans. The beginning of a year, which some centuries ago seemed to have finally and permanently landed on Jan. 1, has been the reason for all sorts of celebrations ranging the gamut from social behavior to anti-social misbehavior. But through it all, it has been a time to be joyful.

And so it will be in Havre de Grace as 2011 slips into 2012. What began as a way to mark the end of the years beginning with 1 and the start of years beginning with 2 – we won't venture again near that silly debate of when does a new century/millennium begin? – has become Havre de Grace's unique way to say "Happy New Year." New York has its ball in Times Square and we have our duck at the Havre de Grace Middle School. Both accomplish the same thing, one with decidedly more fanfare, but both with equal amounts of heartfelt community pride.

Havre de Grace will be forever indebted not only to Richard Tome, the former businessman and city councilman, whose brainchild became the annual New Year's Eve Duck Drop, but also to the Susquehanna Hose Co. and its volunteers, the Havre de Grace Parks and Recreation Committee and the city government who each year extend the tradition. There were some shaky times a few years back when the future of the annual celebration wasn't bright. But as is always the case in Havre de Grace, and probably so in most small communities, people stepped forward and have given of themselves to keep it going.

"The fireworks were still planned, but a lot of people said it wasn't the same without the duck," Ed Grainger, a Susquehanna Hose Co. member, said in a story that begins on Page 7 of this edition. "It just hit me, we have to do this."

That's when Grainger and other Susquehanna Hose Co. members vowed to sustain the ritual that for folks other the organizers doesn't last 30 minutes on a cold winter night, but goes a long way toward creating the warmth of community spirit.

"It's a very proud feeling when you do a thing like this," Grainger said. "I get excited after the fireworks go off. It's for the community, it makes the community happy, it makes the kids happy, and we're happy to do it."

So, yet again, what began as possibly a one night special event because New Year's Eve 1999 was going to turn into New Year's Day 2000, Havre de Grace and those who choose to join the city will have a distinctive way to welcome 2012. Thanks to those who make it possible and Happy New Year to all!