Merry Christmas from the Independent Register

New Bern's city hall is shown festooned with Christmas lights early this morning. Yours truly, a veteran insomniac and amateur photographer, took to the streets of downtown New Bern as a heavy frost set in.

Unfortunately, the frost didn't show up too well, and the fountain on James Reed Lane didn't freeze over, despite temperatures hovering in the mid 20s.

But this late-night excursion lifted some of the gloom that gathers when you aren't sure how your newspaper will stay alive in the upcoming year.

All that matters is we're alive and kicking now, the downtown district beckons, and it's Christmastime in Craven County.

On behalf of William, Eric and myself, I wish everyone here a blessed and fulfilling Christmas holiday.

Merry Christmas!