Father Time is marching into 2020

When the clocks of the world strike midnight on Jan. 1, 2020, the 7.7 billion people of the world will celebrate. Samoa and Christmas Island/Kiribati will be the first to celebrate 2020 (it will be 4 a.m. in Dodge County).

From there it will click off the seconds, minutes and hours until it reaches Time Square. An hour later, the New Year will usher in the beginning of a new decade by the folks of Dodge County.

Those who’ve visited the third generation clock shop on Kasson’s Main Street are aware that there is no place in the county where the hundreds of clocks will peel of the new year like those standing and hanging on the walls of Colonial Clock Shop. Owner and horologist Chris DeRosier noted that some of the clocks on display are family heirlooms dating back to the 19^th century. Many of the timepieces have been through World Wars. Other clocks have had their wooden structures devoured by bugs.

As the clocks at this most unique shop strike midnight, it will usher in a new beginning for the county, the state, our nation and the world. We pray and hope for peace on Earth.

COUNTDOWN TO THE NEW YEAR – Chris DeRosier, owner and horologist at the Colonial Clock Shop in Kasson, is at the epicenter as we move into the new year Wednesday at 12:00:01.

Staff Photos by Keith Hansen

An old world cuckoo clock sports the craftsmanship of this traditional European timepiece.