LEWISTON – At the Acme Club on Park Street, the New Year’s revelers had their priorities. Celebrate the holiday first, worry about the little stuff second.

“I’ll be kissing, hugging and wishing all my friends the best new year,” said Marie Cooper. “Everyone is having a good time and that’s the way it’s supposed to be.”

Steve Gilbert and Vicky Camire weren’t arguing. They had just met and already it was looking to be a marvelous new year. Two hours from the turn of the calendar, they were getting along fine.

“When midnight comes, we’re going to dance,” Gilbert said. “We’re going to dance and dance.”

Camire, hanging on his arm, was just slightly more introspective.

“I’m just hoping this year is better than the last,” she said. “Last year was horrible, horrible, horrible.”

A pair of soldiers back from Iraq toasted each other and waited for midnight. Couples danced and singles scoped out the crowd. It was elbow-to-elbow in the downtown club and nobody seemed to be tiring as midnight approached.

“Everyone’s in a great mood. It’s a happy time,” said manager Mark Mason. “We’ll be dancing all night long!”

More than a hundred men and women crammed both floors of the Acme Club Monday night. Most seemed only dimly aware that midnight was approaching.

“After midnight, we’re going to let it all hang out,” said Kelly Beason, as she moved from one side of the room to the other. “But there’s a long way to go until then.”