For good or ill, it’s time to venture forth into uncharted territory — 2026! Senior News tries to help Humboldt do that with a January issue documenting “Transition & Change.”

Since 1981, Senior News, a program of the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, has helped Humboldt County seniors and their families make their transitions through nutrition offerings at centers in Eureka, Arcata and Fortuna, medical and social services assistance, and many other offerings. Senior News circulates 7,000 copies by mail subscription and free at dozens of distribution points from Trinidad to Willow Creek to Garberville.

The January edition greets “Transition & Change” in 2026 with Alan Workman’s stunning sunrise over Woodley Island, accompanying a collection of readers’ one-line resolutions for the New Year — like Jerry’s plan to change his socks more often. And John Ash reflects on the delicate transience of time as we flit like hummingbirds into new experiences and opportunities.

Inside, you’ll find stories of New Years past and ideas for coping with this one: Michele Francesconi and the Trinidad Song Circle; Tracey Barnes-Priestley and the Boomer Troupe’s “Gifts”; Cheryl Johnson “Looking Ahead, Living the Dream”; John Meyers on flexibility and Joan Rainwater-Gish on building muscles; Brenda Cooper’s beloved brother; plus various perspectives on tasks for the new year in Your Opinions. And much more, of course, from our regular columnists, Humboldt Senior Resource Center and many others.

As we make this transition from a challenging 2025, let’s look ahead with hope — as humans always have. New England historian Heather Cox Richardson naturally takes a long view: “The past has its own terrible inevitability, but it is never too late to change the future.”

Have a happy, safe, and healthy New Year!

 

In coming editions of Senior News . . .

• In FEBRUARY, the month of love ❤️, Senior News will explore sex, intimacy and love in an issue we’re calling “An Intimate Conversation.” Being over 50 (or 60 or 70 or 80), doesn’t mean that your love life is over. Certainly, the loves of our life are still rich and full. Tell us your love stories, and how you approach sex and intimacy now in your, um, “sunset years.” Email tpease@humsenior.org. Deadline Jan. 12; 400-500 words max, plus photos of the love(s) of your life.
• MARCH is National Reading Month, so Senior News will celebrate reading, writing, books, literacy, authors, libraries, fiction, non-fiction and all things wordish — maybe even (gasp!) punctuation and grammar. There are few things more soul-refreshing than an hour on the couch with a good book, or more soul-crushing than an hour with a turgid administrative policy manual. (Note: “turgid” is a $64 word.) Share your experiences with reading (or writing) by emailing tpease@humsenior.org by Feb. 12; 400-500 words plus photos/illustration.