“Winter is not a season; it’s a celebration.”

Published: January, 3 2022

Happy New Year my friends!  And welcome to winter in Driggs!  I hope you and yours enjoyed a safe and pleasant holiday season.

In literature and art winter often depicts sadness, darkness, or loneliness. Perhaps those of us who choose to live in Teton Valley view it differently.  Aristotle observed, “To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold.”  Finding joy in little things is an art form perfected by those who call this valley home.  The perfect descent of the mountain; a quiet float on the river; a glorious alpenglow sunset, or a warm summer Sunday listening to live music in the plaza.  

These and countless other little treasures surround us and enrich our lives here.  For me, it is the warmth and kindness of people here that means the most.  As the Japanese proverb says, “One kind word can warm three winter months.”  Especially at this time, where so much human interaction is beset with anger, jealousy, or negativity, we here in Teton Valley can choose a different path, offering one or two kind words to help others weather the long, cold winter months. 

I am honored to have served as your Mayor these eight years and proud of what we have accomplished together.  Driggs is the most wonderful place in the world to live, and I am pleased to have contributed to that for a time.

I wish you a peaceful and fulfilling New Year!

Sincerely,

Hyrum F. Johnson, (soon to be former) Mayor