GREEN BAY, Wis (NBC 26) -- In 2020 there hasn't been a lot of gatherings like the one on display in Titletown for their New Year's Eve festivities. But with a cool breeze and the majority of folks masking up while they ice skate, drink cocoa, and slide down the hill, it was an easy sell for many who wanted to kick off the New Year early.
"It feels really good to be able to come out and actually do something especially because it's outside," says Allie Grube of Neenah who's taking in the day with friends and family on the ice rink.
"It's something to do, finally in the community and it's great to be out here," says Todd Olsen of De Pere who's enjoying the day with extended family, his wife, and children.
Putting 2020 in our rear-view mirror and trying to forget what was endured may sound healthy enough, but to our surprise all too many people learned significant life lessons from the pandemic this year.
"It definitely gave me a new reason to live in the moment," says Anne Sweney who drove 14 hours in the car with her brother, so they could meet up with their mother for the holiday.
Sweney says in 2020 she didn't have the chance to meet up with much of her family at all. She says that this trip meant a great deal to her and her mom to finally get some face-to-face time with one another.
"To have that smile, to see it in person, it's nice."
The comfort of company and not taking it for granted is something many folks found value in this year. Especially for those working from home, with a house full of kids.
"You take for granted the times you can go downstairs and just have lunch with them or come down and just help them out with some school work. Working from home and getting to spend more time with the family has been the biggest benefit from the whole thing," adds Olsen.
Living in the moment and slowing the pace of life down, was something many people embraced in 2020 as well.
"Thinking about the simple things in life and beginning to enjoy them again. Rather than looking for something we could pay for or someplace we could drive to," says Ruth Novak of Oconto.
And while it's easy to think about how difficult a year like this has been, when you start thinking about some of the things gained there is a lot, to be thankful for this year.
"Just a drive in the country or a walk in the woods is just wonderful," adds Novak.
"I feel like the things that were important in 2019 aren't as important this year. Especially because of all the hardships that we had to go through," adds Grube.
