Raindrops. Home-made lights. In all deference to the crystal ball dropping each New Year in Times Square, NYC, people are dropping all kinds of stuff everywhere all around the good 'ole U.S. of A. Need some inspiration? Well, the biggest ball drop of all is a 14-footer in Brocton, New York. But who needs balls? Across the way in Yuma, AZ, they drop an 8-foot glowing head of iceberg lettuce. In Florida, you have several fruit choices, with Brooksville's giant tangerine, Sarasota's glowing pineapple, or Miami's orange-wearing sunglasses. Apparently, Georgia has cornered the market on animal "lowerings" -- a hog in Unadilla, an opossum in Tallapoosa, and a buzzard in Perry. To be expected, Plymouth, Wisconsin, breaks out the Big Cheese wedge, while Lebanon, PA, heaves a 100-lb stick of Lebanon bologna. Maybe those two towns should get together. Then, head on over to Hagerstown, Maryland, for dessert: they're dropping a giant donut. Mmmmmm... Happy New Year.

12.31.22