New year, new hopes for 2026
Multicolored confetti rains down at Times Square on Monday in preparation for New Year's Eve. Credit: Anadolu via Getty Images/Anadolu
As we pack up the holiday decor and toss out the leftovers, January sits waiting for our fresh dreams, goals and hopes.
When we asked our readers to tell us their hopes for 2026, many expressed uncertainty about what the new year will hold. Yet, there were seeds of hope in your submissions — ones we hope will take root.
More than 30 years ago Sondra Alcantara, of Bethpage, gave the gift of life to her son when she donated a kidney to him. They now face that challenge all over again as that kidney is starting to fail. She is praying for a donor who will give her family the same gift she gave him all those years ago. She hopes he will get back the full life he once had.
Small-business owner Joseph Smeraldi, of Hampton Bays, says his profits fell like those of many other small businesses, but he hopes for an economic turnaround.
Jane Fasullo, of East Setauket, whose home and rental property are threatened by rising tides, worries about the environment. She hopes we get back on track to creating policies that protect communities from climate change.
Joe Abate, of Island Park, plans to keep it simple by being a better friend to those he loves. Former teacher Richard Siegelman, of Plainview, wishes for a more functional local government, bipartisan cooperation and academic success for all students. Chris Inguanta, of Valley Stream, wants to see the war between Ukraine and Russia end. He also hopes for a stronger economy, and an end to food insecurity.
In Bohemia, Jeannette M. Blaquiere looks forward to celebrating her daughter’s marriage in April. In Massapequa, Lynn Roden wants more political accountability at the federal level and Richard J. Conway wants to see the nation’s leaders rediscover their moral compass. Conway also hopes to see a renewed sense of kindness and generosity toward the young, poor, sick and the elderly.
And let’s send some hope to Kimberly Fischetti, of Yaphank, and her family. Her wish is for her husband, Keith, to beat cancer.
May all these glimmers of hope grow into a fruitful 2026. We wish you a happier, healthier and more fulfilling new year.
MEMBERS OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD are experienced journalists who offer reasoned opinions, based on facts, to encourage informed debate about the issues facing our community.
