Remember when you thought a year was a really long time?

Sometime in our early 20s, I think, we realize that years aren’t as long as they used to be. The realization is partly affected by college. The whole experience is designed to last only four years, and halfway through junior year, time seems to be by flying by and the real world nearing far too fast.

And it’s downhill from there.

But even now that years seem exponentially shorter, we still manage to forget just how much can happen in one year. From the serious headlines to the downright nutty ones, there’s plenty of news from 2006 I’ll bet you’ve forgotten.

As of late, our town’s been focused on the benefits and effects of a second casino at the foot of Roth Hill. The issue was one that stirred up many anti-casino residents and caught the ears of locals who’d rather preserve our view of the river instead of promoting gaudy riverboats.

But does anyone remember that the exact same idea came up last January?

On Jan. 11, news broke that Expect a Miracle Inc. had proposed a $7 million casino for the Roth Hill site.

The city said at the time they wanted to finalize a hotel deal before talking to Miracle, but expected to strongly consider the casino proposal.

That plan included a parking garage, tennis courts, a children’s amusement park with mini-golf and a riverfront restaurant with gift shop.

Nearly a year later, Miracle was nowhere to be found, but a new company had stepped in.

Remember when Spanky Felter died?

But I just saw him yesterday, you say. True, but from 2002 to March 2006, he was dead.

The Adams County supervisor discovered in 2006 that a major credit reporting agency had marked him as “dearly departed.”

He got the problem straightened out and became a warning for all of us to check our credit reports.

Spanky’s news wasn’t the only headline last year that likely made some of our readers cock their heads sideways in confusion, though.

In April, the Battle of the Bedpans made news, as our esteemed doctors, nurses and employees from local hospitals played in a softball tournament for a bronzed bedpan.

Natchez Regional Medical Center won the trophy. And the money the tournament brought in went to Relay for Life.

On April 12, the news was “Getting hooked: Knitters from across region flock to Natchez seminar.”

Seventy-five out-of-town knitters made Natchez Needle Arts their Saturday studio to hear the Billy Graham of knitting — Lily Chin.

Chin — the fastest crocheter in the world — came to town with comments like “Swatching is like dating. You want to try it out before committing.”

Other notable events this year you may have forgotten: a barge hit the bridge, a pipeline exploded in Concordia Parish and the governor of Mississippi said he thought Natchez might get a Navy contract with shipbuilding Bollinger.

The state bowling museum opened behind the alleys at Rivergate Bowl — complete with a ribbon cutting and a visit from Ben the bowling pin.

Stevan Ridley said he’d attend Ole Miss. Then he changed his mind and said he’d play at LSU.

Vidalia hosted a cabaret and, a few months later, a reggae fest.

And a giant sex crimes billboard went up above a ladies dress shop, a day care and a spa.

What a year.

So, as your years fly by at an increasingly rapid pace, remember, there’s a lot going on around you. Stop looking forward to next year or revealing in the past.

Instead visit the bowling museum, knit a little and be thankful a barge isn’t hitting the bridge as you cross.

Julie Finley is the managing editor of The Natchez Democrat. She can be reached at 601-445-3551 or julie.finley@natchezdemocrat.com.