Somewhere between the pursuit of stories and the deadlines for them lies the heart of what community journalism is all about: To be given the tiniest slice of real estate and the responsibility of documenting the life that happens there.

Every day, every week, every month and every year, we have gotten to know news makers in every crevice and corner of southern Chester County, in every industry, in nearly every walk of life and almost every sphere of influence. We have been given the responsibility to share with our readers their goals, their setbacks, their successes and their broadstroke visions. Indulge us for a moment as we engage just a few of them, in our annual holiday wish list:

To New Garden Township Police Chief Gerald Simpson and his staff, we wish for you a new, state-of-the-art police station that can carry the weight of high aspirations and even higher integrity.

To the East Nottingham Township Board of Supervisors, we wish that they are able to fill the two vacancies that currently exist with capable people who will be able to work collaboratively with the other supervisors and the staff of the township.

To Andrew Miller, the new executive director of the Kennett Flash, we wish for you a 2016 filled with an exciting line-up of performers and packed houses.

To Mike Pia, Jr. and Kennett Realty, we wish for you much progress on the planned Cannery Row development, to join with Magnolia Place and the Victory Brewing Company restaurant as the latest step in revitalizing the western edge of Kennett Square.

To Avon Grove High School softball star Maggie Balint, we wish for you one last, magical season on the Red Devil mound before you depart for the University of Oregon next fall.

To Cuyler Walker, we wish a much-deserved break from the East Marlborough Board of Supervisors, which you have served for 18 years.

To Randy Teel, we also wish for a much-deserved break. He has served Oxford Borough well as a member of council for a total of 16 years.

To Christine Grove of the Oxford Arts Alliance, we wish another year of success as the smiling public face of an organization that brings so much to the Oxford area.

To the newly reconfigured Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board, we wish a year of unity and progress in maintaining the district's high standards.

To those who build, maintain, and continue to dream big things for Goddard Park in London Grove Township, we wish for you a community garden packed with occupied plots, tended by individuals and organizations.

To Unionville football head coach Pat Clark, we wish for you and your Indians another successful campaign in 2016, but look behind you: Avon Grove, Oxford and Kennett are gaining quickly.

To Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. and Historic Kennett Square we wish much success as those organizations work to keep the business districts vibrant.

To outgoing Kennett Township Supervisor Robert Hammaker, we wish for you a little rest, but not too much of one, because the township will continue to need your counsel and dedication in new ways.

And to our readers, both on line and in print, we wish you the happiest of holiday seasons.