On a night when bars are usually crowded, homes are typically filled with guests and celebrations ring out on busy city streets, New Year’s Eve was expected to be a quiet, lonelier night in 2020.

Instead of ringing in the new year with midnight champagne surrounded by friends, most people — in southeastern Connecticut and across the globe — found themselves saying farewell, or good riddance, to 2020 safely in their homes, cozy on their couches with their closest family.

In Waterford, Nancy and Jim Butler, both in their 70s, planned to ring in the new year at home, watching a livestream of the New York City ball drop and enjoying a chocolate dessert. It would be the first time in 35 years that they weren’t going to be on a dance floor when the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve.

At 6 p.m., they planned to join their neighbors on Trumbull Road in standing on their doorstep ringing bells together to welcome in 2021.

“This is our way of ending 2020 with a sparkle of magic, hope, and togetherness,” Nancy Butler said.

Denise Markovitz said she and her family planned to “be staying inside like we have for the past nine months.” She was preparing a feast of Niantic Bay oysters and prosecco to enjoy with her husband, children and grandson in her home in East Lyme.

David Morris, also of East Lyme, said he planned to burn a 2020 calendar.

This past year has been unlike any most Americans have lived before, bringing shelter-in-place orders, mask requirements, shuttered businesses, controversial political campaigns, a historic presidential election, nationwide riots for racial justice and the death of nearly 340,000 Americans, according to the CDC, due to the COVID-19 virus.

But, despite the loss, despite the heartache, there is hope.

For the Butlers, hope for 2021 means wishing they’ll be able to safely see their family and friends, that businesses will rebound and flourish and they’ll finally be able to take a trip to Iceland to see the northern lights, a vacation they had planned to take in March 2020 to celebrate Nancy’s 70th birthday.

Joyce Beauvais, artist director and founder of Shoreline Drama in Niantic, said that her hope is that the curtains will open once again in theaters across the globe.

“Outside of good health for all, a return of live theater,” she said of her hopes for the new year. “I wish it more than words. For employment, for culture, for pleasure, entertainment and for passion. To all artists, I wish you back to creating in 2021.”

Heather Wallace of East Lyme said, “I hope small businesses and restaurants withstand this storm and be prosperous in 2021, I hope kids get back to school full time for their emotional and mental health and just for education, I hope the people who are drowning in this storm find high ground to get their heads above water.”

Vanessa Cardello, a New London resident and small business owner, also hopes businesses will be able to get back to business as usual. Her salon, Vanessa Villena Beauty Co. Salon in Norwich, struggled immensely in 2020. A hair and makeup artist for weddings, she said she lost 70% of her income as most couples canceled or postponed their weddings due to the pandemic.

“It’s been a scary time, but I just continue to stay positive,” she said. “I am grateful my family has stayed healthy this year.” She planned to spend New Year’s Eve at home with her family, “being grateful we are still here and healthy.”

t.hartz@theday.com