Editor’s note: We asked readers to share their hopes for the new year, whether for family, community or country. Here are their responses. May hostages be freed My first fervent hope for the new year is for the release of the Israeli hostages and the stoppage of hostile attacks on Israel. My second hope is that more people recognize the reality of climate change and do what little we can to ease the effects of it. My third hope is that people realize the value of vaccines. Are they for everybody? No. But in the majority of cases, they do an awful lot of good. Just ask the sufferers of post-polio syndrome if they wish there had been a vaccine before they got polio. My personal wish is that Weinger JCC in Northbrook brings back the Friday Fitness is Golden class. C’mon, guys, those of us who had it miss it. My last wish is that all the good wishes out there get fulfilled. — Alice Marcus Solovy, Highland Park Children offer lessons My hope for the new year is that every country and community will embrace the innocence of a little child! The Bible tells us that the innocence of a little child will help us maintain favor with God and peace on earth. Matthew 19:14 reminds us that it would be advantageous for us to take on some of the characteristics of our own developing children: “Verily I say unto you whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall not enter there in.” Young children are impressive. They display a simplicity and a lack of knowledge that has not been spoiled by mundane affairs. The authenticity of their smiles is heartwarming. They play, sing and dance spontaneously with a joy that is unrivaled. Their hugs are lasting memories. They make up and forgive instantaneously.  They don’t judge, blame or classify. They interact with each other without regard to race, color or creed. There is no caste system! As I reflect on the Scripture and the current conditions in our world, it is my hope for 2025 and beyond that  our country and countries worldwide would take on the innocence of a little child! — George Comer, Crown Point, Indiana Time to appreciate Our hopes for the new year are simple but sincere: Minutes to see and appreciate beautiful sunrises and sunsets, hours to extend and receive kindness and joy, and days to be thankful for the many blessings we have been given. — Gary and Myra Everhart, Schererville, Indiana Why reading matters I was listening to an oldies rock station when I heard Grace Slick sing that “logic and proportion have fallen sloppy dead” from a Jefferson Airplane album released in 1967. Back then, it seemed like a cautionary tale for the times. Yet, it seems even more relevant today. From local meetings to congressional debates, the conversation too often turns into diatribe and ad hominem attacks between warring factions. The song ends with the advice to “feed your head.” The common perception at the time was that it was a drug reference. But in a 2021 article in The Guardian, Slick clarified, “I was talking about feeding your head by paying attention: read some books, pay attention.” With that background, my hope is that support for literacy in our schools and other programs that promote reading (I volunteer for Reading Power) will prosper. We need to develop students with critical reading and thinking skills. Many communities have scarce resources, which may be stretched thinner if the next administration eliminates the Department of Education or reduces funding for K-12 schools. — Jerry Levy, Deerfield Bridging the divide One of the most moving scenes in literature for me is the one that closes William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” read in many a high school English class. The tragic girl’s father, Capulet, extends a conciliatory hand to his feuding counterpart, the likewise-bereaved Montague. He addresses him as “brother” and requests his hand in friendship. Curtain on the play, and hopefully the rivalry too. While we the divided American people remain at a point short of that cataclysmic fictional one, with all the country and the world tuned to the coming inauguration, there’s a sterling opportunity to make a similar move. Which side is willing to play Capulet? It makes little difference. Regardless, it could propel us to start thinking of ourselves as a team again and striving for a common ground and compromise, leading to a higher ground. This prospective reconciliation easily tops my 2025 wish list. — Tom Gregg, Niles More honesty in media I hope for more honesty from our news media in this new year. For the last decade or two, a trend has been to report stories through an ideological lens so those watching will keep tuning in. This omits elements that viewers or readers might find distasteful, presenting information weighted to one side of the story. Opinions are just fine as long as they are labeled as such. The problem occurs when news providers mix opinion with straight news reporting. This results in the public getting tainted information suited to their taste. There is an inherent conflict when information providers must tell their customers a fact they may not want to hear. Like any other business, media outlets wish to please their customers so they’ll keep coming back and hopefully attract new customers. The 1976 movie “Network” illustrated this point quite well. In this farcical tale, the main character is eventually assassinated because telling the truth is bad for ratings. Information reporting should contain as little bias as possible. Let the public decide how they process the news of the day. Commentary should be clearly labeled and not mixed with straight news. Our current media environment does nothing but divide us. It’s high time for news consumers to demand the truth as unvarnished as possible and let opinions stay in their lane. — Scott Thompson, Bloomington, Indiana Hopes for Trump If you’re going to dream big, shoot for the stars. My hopes for 2025 are that Donald Trump stops being a pathological liar, quits breaking the law and starts to put the good of the entire country before himself, and his supporters learn how to fact-check. I realize it’s a big dream. Good luck, America. — Bryan Bradley, Buffalo Grove What awaits the US I am looking forward to Donald J. Trump’s inauguration on Monday, when his administration will commence. Most importantly, America will return to commonsense policies. Our border will be secure, and many immigrants in the U.S. illegally will be deported. Gasoline and power bills will be cheaper as we “drill, baby, drill” and use our own natural resources. And my sincere hope is that those Americans who did not vote for Trump will be won over by all the good he brings to our nation. — JoAnn Lee Frank, Clearwater, Florida A democracy intact My wish for the new year is the same as it will be for the next four. That is, our democracy remains intact, the rule of law is followed, sensible gun control measures (starting with a permanent ban on assault weapons) are enacted and a divided nation is brought closer together. And while it may be too far-fetched to even contemplate, I’d like to see at least one of our sports teams make the playoffs. — Bob Ory, Elgin Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email [email protected].