It's tough to look back on the year that was in Pennsylvania and not feel at least a little uncomfortable.
Time and time again, we found ourselves in a difficult spot, often under a spotlight, scrambling for answers through the muddle of naysayers, finger-waggers and browbeaters:
– Marcellus Shale
– state budget cuts
– the Penn State scandal
Just this week, the Governor's office released a dire outlook for the upcoming budget, expected to be proposed to state legislators by Tom Corbett in February.
2012, have mercy.
When I think of dire situations, I also think of Reading, the Berks County seat and the poorest city in America as reported in the New York Times.
As it turns out, Reading is steadily getting richer. And I'm not just talking about George Bailey rich. Back in May, Rebecca VanderMeulen paid a visit to the city where she used to work and found signs of recovery that would seem impossible having read the Times piece: riverfront development, an arts district, restaurant openings.
That was Keystone Edge's most-read piece of content in 2011. By your interest and attention, and perhaps subsequent actions of engagement, you chose redemption over regression.
In the coming weeks and months, many of us across many sectors in Pennsylvania will be faced with that choice. It's a holiday wish that those choices are met with fervent advocacy, a cooperative spirit and honest effort.
It's a wish that lives In Reading, where there are ample believers.
Just ask Hector Ruiz, a cook-turned restaurateur who chose to be there
“We have to stop thinking about how Reading used to be,” he told us earlier this month. “The city has to be reborn.”
KEYSTONE EDGE'S MOST-READ CONTENT OF 2011
10. Meet PA's Next Top Model, All 5-Foot-3 Of Her (Oct. 13, Kelly Clayton)
Messiah College senior Sarah Hawkins' next step might be New York for grad school, but she has already received lots of attention.
9. In New Berlin, Energy Independence Means a Closer-Knit Community (Jan. 20, Rebecca VanderMeulen)
This small town (population 812) in rural Union County has built community support and made significant progress in its three-year quest to save energy and eventually produce its own.
8. The Long and Winding Road: Trails an Economic Driver in PA (Aug. 4, Mark Meier)
Once an apparent afterthought in transportation planning, trails for bikers, walkers, and joggers are increasingly important to the cultural and economic life of communities.
7. Faces of Energy: Bob Fiori & Greg Puschnigg, Green Power Technologies (Jan. 27, Amanda Prischak)
A new device developed and made in PA that retails for $48 could help stem the country's annual wasting of more than $10 billion in electricity due to appliances being left on or in standby mode. It also further cements the state's leadership in energy efficiency.
6. Show Us the Money: Five PA Venture Capitalists to Watch (July 21, Rebecca VanderMeulen)
We set out to find which Pennsylvania-based investors would most likely find the next big innovation, and our experts weigh in why these five VC stars made our list.
5. Indelible Impressions: PA Tattoo Artists Take on the Fine Arts World (March 31, Natalie Grace Sweet)
It's about more than just needles, ink and skin for these artists. Through collaboration, unique gallery spaces, a passion for their work and a positive vibe, they're making quite an impact on the state's fine arts community.
4. Walk This Way: Why We Love to Stroll in West Chester, Lancaster (Aug. 25, Rebecca VanderMeulen)
The most walkable cities in the Commonwealth pack the needs of residents and visitors into dense urban cores and encourage them to leave their cars parked.
3. Gift Guide: No Place Like PA's Etsy Shops for the Holidays (Dec. 1, Kelly Clayton)
Shop online and local with a host of talented creators from Gettysburg to Pittston selling art, furniture, toys, jewelry and geekery.
2. EDITOR'S EDGE: Penn State Can Transcend Scandal With Groundbreaking IP Policy Shift (Dec. 15, Joe Petrucci)
Scoop alert: VP of Research Hank Foley says the school will no longer pursue intellectual property ownership related to industry-funded research, an announcement buried by the Sandusky case.
1. Greater Reading: Why City's Rebound is Real (May 26, Rebecca VanderMeulen)
It's been a long road for the Berks County seat, once a manufacturing powerhouse. New businesses, fresh investment and a variety of innovative ideas are finally changing perceptions and creating much promise.
JOE PETRUCCI is managing editor of Keystone Edge. Send feedback here.