💛 Your 2020 bright spots
Plus, super last-minute gift ideas.
By Colin Deppen
Hey, hey, it’s Thursday.
We’re about to head out for holiday break and you’ll see us just a few times in your inbox until Jan. 5 when we’re back to publishing as usual.
Let’s be honest, it’s been a weird, difficult, scary year — and we’ve reported about that over and over in your morning newsletter. So before we wrap up 2020, we want to highlight some high notes from all of you. Let’s get to it …
You said it
(Celebrating this year's little victories. 📸: Courtesy of Parker W.)
Suffice to say, we’re all going to remember 2020. It’s easy to remember the bad stuff. But what were the good things that happened this year?
Here’s what we heard from all of you …
💖 "Engaged!" — @kt410
🐶 "Rescued a German Shepherd puppy, became closer to our neighbors" — @Stephjolieberman
📌 "Started my own business" — @Theskinandwaxspot
😸 "We got a cat! Or rather, the cat got us" — @maryw1909
📦 "Moved to Pittsburgh!" — @walle2615
💫 "Took the family outside to see the comet Neowise and actually saw it!" — @stuffofsoles
📚 "Pretty sure this was the first time in my life I set a goal and actually followed through with it: read 25 books this year" — @thatvickersgirl
🎧 "We started our podcast!!" — @downthetoiletbowl
➡️ "Got through Covid. Grandbaby coming" — @maryjohughes
💧 "I found new places to swim outdoors and hike! I also started writing again." — @allegheny_mermaid
🤝 "My boys have found a connection with each other." — @careppe
🏠 "I actually say hi and talk to my neighbors now. I can’t believe I didn’t before this year. They’re all nice people." — Allison B.
👟 "A good thing that happened to me this year was I started running and working out in the beginning of the year and definitely fell off a bit when quarantine started, but I worked hard to get back to it even while the gyms were still closed and lost 15 pounds and got my 5K time down from 42 minutes to 33 minutes! So proud of myself! Love your newsletter and it brings a smile to my face each morning. Thank you so much!" — Jessica L.
💛 "I rescued a cat trapped in a hot car this summer and now he's the best quarantine buddy I could ask for. We found him at Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan, so his name is Little Bear!" — Parker W. (Editor’s note: That’s Little Bear up above!)
🌳 "I spent more time outdoors this year. I started a "Pandemic Park list" and got to 25 new parks in the city and county, and also explored new trails in the parks I already knew. I discovered how much nature means to me, and used the parks as a place to reset, a place to find peace, and a place to find hope." — Beth H.
Big things, little things, healthy habits, good news — thank you for sharing your stories with us and helping us send off this year on a happier note.
Read the full list on Instagram — and maybe even add your own good news.
🎁 The gift that keeps on giving
Still need a gift for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list? How about an Incline Insider membership!? Membership is half-off through the end of the day (enter discount code HALFOFF), so your gift recipient gets a cool gift that lasts all year and you get a hot discount. 💥
Incline Insider membership comes with: Extra-special perks in your morning newsletter, including exclusive content (think: I Spy Pittsburgh); the good feeling of supporting community-centric storytelling, and discounted tickets to all of The Incline’s events (when we can host again, hopefully someday soon). Purchase a gift membership here for $40.
Things to do
Today
🖼 Get timed tickets to see Contemporary Craft’s inaugural exhibition "The Heart Lives Through the Hands" and its collection of large-scale and highly personal mixed media artworks (Lawrenceville)
Wednesday
❓ Show off your knowledge of Pittsburgh history with "Pittsburgh Virtual Trivia Night – Winter Edition!" from Heinz History Center (Online)
Thursday, December 31
🎉 Celebrate First Night virtually this year with a live KDKA-TV broadcast starting at 11 p.m. (Online)
One more thing ...
(📸: Incline illustration)
Calling all procrastinators … need a last-minute gift idea? Skip the big-box stores and shop local. Our 2020 Pittsburgh Guide has got you covered with everything from food, to artwork, to crafty ideas.
Enjoy the holidays, be safe, and we’ll see you back here on New Year’s Eve. ✨
