And what a year it was! As with virtually everyone, BNA activities for 2020 were a shadow of previous years,’ with many meetings and events cancelled. Bissett was home to some who passed on due at least in part to COVID and we mourn their passing. That said, the spirit of the neighborhood remains and perhaps we have each gained a better appreciation of things taken for granted: enjoying a potluck dinner, seeing or playing in a ball game, chatting over coffee at a local restaurant, praying at churches that were quiet at Easter and other times. And there were so many celebrations like the Fourth of July and Halloween being but shadows of the past. All that said, many found new ways to engage at levels never before through electronic communications, and we saw many more improving their homes, and engaging in walks and other exercise.
One bright spot was that our annual neighborhood cleanup was a great success. Originally scheduled for June, it was held in September. Many came out and helped, so a big shoutout to them as well as the City and Community Partnership of the Ozarks for making the event possible with their support.
Bissett welcomed Eden Village II to the neighborhood. All signs show a quality development emerging which we believe will be a beacon of hope for those previously homeless who will become members of our community. They have already taken a great step by adopting a portion of West Nichols for street cleanup, and we think there will be opportunities for many within our neighborhood to engage with these new neighbors.
We also pass on our many thanks to Chandra and Derek Palmer who were our 2020 NOVA award winners. Chandra has been a long-time officer of the BNA, and they recently moved out of the neighborhood. If there was an event or activity in Bissett, you could always count on Chandra, Derek and their children to help out. We have had the joy of seeing those kids grow up, and no doubt, by seeing Mom and Dad contribute to the neighborhood, they will be so much more likely to find ways to help others as they continue to grow and mature.