Revelers pack Times Square to welcome in new year
Revelers faced down a grim economy and frigid temperatures to pack into Times Square last night, many mustering optimism to ring in the new year.
"We're freezing, but you forget about it," said Karoline Kosiorowski, a native of Warsaw, Poland, and a senior at the University of Connecticut. "You're dancing, there's music and you forget about the cold."
Hundreds of thousands watched the Jonas Brothers perform as they awaited the descent of the famous Waterford crystal ball, some shrugging off concerns about the future.
"I'm just happy it's a new year," said Donald Lanamna, 18, an unemployed auto mechanic from Torrington, Conn.
On his way to the top of 1 Times Square, former President Bill Clinton said he was upbeat.
"I think it will be tough for the next year, but Obama has a good team and they will make some good changes," he said.
Sarah Daniels, 25, an Army private, predicted the economy will turn around, but added that members of the military are "the only ones whose checks are guaranteed."
Job hunting seemed far from the minds of the college students cramming the square. "Worse comes to worse, I'll work at the family farm," said Lisa Sperry, 19, of Atlantic, Pa., a sophomore at the University at Buffalo.
Throngs cloaked in fur hats and sleeping bags gathered by early evening, despite forecasts of temperatures in the low teens.
Lauren Nordgren, 20, who was with friends, found the cold similar to that of her home state of Minnesota. "We're prepared for it, as crazy as it sounds," she said, wrapped in a blanket.
Clinton and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton were to help Mayor Michael Bloomberg lower the ball. Watching it drop is on the "bucket list" for Lorena Skinner, 85, of Port St. Lucie, Fla. "I wanted to see it, but I didn't want to be in this weather," said Skinner, in a fur coat.
The Jonas Brothers surprised the crowd by performing two songs earlier than planned. "They were awesome, totally awesome," said Amanda Zotte, 20, of Middlesex, N.J.
In the meantime, people struggled to stay warm. "The weather is the same in Alaska as it is here now," said Paulene Romero, 28, of Anchorage. "There's just more snow there."
"We're freezing, but you forget about it," said Karoline Kosiorowski, a native of Warsaw, Poland, and a senior at the University of Connecticut. "You're dancing, there's music and you forget about the cold."
Hundreds of thousands watched the Jonas Brothers perform as they awaited the descent of the famous Waterford crystal ball, some shrugging off concerns about the future.
"I'm just happy it's a new year," said Donald Lanamna, 18, an unemployed auto mechanic from Torrington, Conn.
On his way to the top of 1 Times Square, former President Bill Clinton said he was upbeat.
"I think it will be tough for the next year, but Obama has a good team and they will make some good changes," he said.
Sarah Daniels, 25, an Army private, predicted the economy will turn around, but added that members of the military are "the only ones whose checks are guaranteed."
Job hunting seemed far from the minds of the college students cramming the square. "Worse comes to worse, I'll work at the family farm," said Lisa Sperry, 19, of Atlantic, Pa., a sophomore at the University at Buffalo.
Throngs cloaked in fur hats and sleeping bags gathered by early evening, despite forecasts of temperatures in the low teens.
Lauren Nordgren, 20, who was with friends, found the cold similar to that of her home state of Minnesota. "We're prepared for it, as crazy as it sounds," she said, wrapped in a blanket.
Clinton and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton were to help Mayor Michael Bloomberg lower the ball. Watching it drop is on the "bucket list" for Lorena Skinner, 85, of Port St. Lucie, Fla. "I wanted to see it, but I didn't want to be in this weather," said Skinner, in a fur coat.
The Jonas Brothers surprised the crowd by performing two songs earlier than planned. "They were awesome, totally awesome," said Amanda Zotte, 20, of Middlesex, N.J.
In the meantime, people struggled to stay warm. "The weather is the same in Alaska as it is here now," said Paulene Romero, 28, of Anchorage. "There's just more snow there."
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