Farewell 2020: Madison Area Stories That Didn't Depress Us

MADISON, NJ — We are counting down the seconds until we can put this incredibly challenging year behind us. And while this may be the year we all want to forget, there are a few things that were too memorable to forget.

And here is a collection of five Patch editor's choice options for some of the not-so-terrible things that happened this year.

Madison Teacher Who Mass-Produced PPE Honored With New Car

When New Jersey faced a shortage of personal protective equipment, Jason Erdrich did what not many would do: brought 15 3-D printers into his home and made it a makeshift factory. Little did the Madison Junior School shop teacher know, his wife and Mazda would reward his efforts.

Read more of the story here.

Gym Owner Who Ran To Support Local Businesses Forced To Close

Morristown gym owner Matt Scarfo is experiencing something many local business owners have felt as a result of the coronavirus pandemic: the loss of his business despite all efforts to save it.

Read more of the story here.

Chatham Business Owner Named A TIME Magazine Hero Of 2020

Meet TIME Magazine's Heroes of 2020. The illustrious class of this year like no other includes Australian firefighters who risked everything as the nation burned, pastors who transformed their church to provide for those in need during the pandemic, and Greg Dailey.

Read more of the story here.

'Tired Of Feeling Fear' In Morris Co., Youth Demand Change

The first demonstration in a series of coordinated actions planned throughout Morris County to grieve for George Floyd, Maurice Gordon, Breonna Taylor, and other members of the Black community who died in police custody began June 13.

Read more of the story here.

School Nurse Joins Coronavirus Fight

Long Valley Middle School's Kim Pinto went to work at the first field hospital open in NJ since the Civil War. Long Valley Middle School may have closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but school nurse Pinto was still caring for patients.

Read more of the story here.

This is obviously just a small slice of what made the local news in 2020, but it is also the kind of news that we want to remember. Thank you for all for reading, this was a landmark year for Patch in terms of audience growth, and we appreciated your support and look forward to serving you in 2021.

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