Despite her deep loss this past year, Caroline Brady (Peggy McCay, February 7, 1983) will continue to cheerfully brew up some green ale and a bowl of chowder until July 2009. Adopted son, Max Brady (Darin Brooks, June 22, 2005), will just sort of “there” until June 2010, while trying to decide just who needs him more: his girlfriend, Stephanie or his newly found sister, Melanie who will be sticking around causing trouble through July 2011.

Big bro', Bo Brady (Peter Reckell, May 3, 1983) needs to think about breaking out that bike and riding past August 2008 (and all those one-year contracts) because there are many more days to be spent with his Fancy Face. Hope Brady (Kristian Alfonso, April 14, 1983) is contracted to love Bo and their little Doodlebug until June 2009.

Maggie Horton (Suzanne Rogers, August 20, 1973) will continue to flit here and there, dispensing good advice whenever she can and delivering Alice Horton's donuts until June 2009.

We can expect good ol’ Mommy Kate Roberts(Lauren Koslow, January 25, 1996) to be meddling in her children’s affairs until January 2009 or until someone bumps her off – it would be for her own good, really. Speaking of family: Philip Kiriakas (Jay Johnson, December 27, 1999) needs to fight for Morgan. He will have plenty of time to devise just the right plan since he is contracted to be quietly wreaking havoc in Salem until January 2009. Morgan Hollingsworth (Kristen Renton) is set to display her southern charm until November 2010. Kate’s son, Lucas Roberts (Bryan Dattilo, April 15, 1993), might finally leave Sami by February 2010. Wouldn’t that make Kate’s year?

Nick Fallon (Blake Berris, November 7, 2006), is a very available and hot bachelor who will probably be chasing up the wrong skirt (Melanie's) until November 2009.

Meanwhile, Bo and Hope's daughter, Chelsea Benson Brady (Rachel Melvin, May 12, 2005) has to work fast to secure her future in Dr. Daniel Jonas' (Shawn Christian, March 2009) life before her contract is up in May 2010. Meanwhile, Uncle Roman Brady (Josh Taylor, July 18, 1997) might have to spend the next year running interference between the two of them or at least until May 2009. Then again, he may be too busy chasing after Marlena. Steve Johnson (Stephen Nichols, June 13, 1985 and Friday, June 9, 2006), will be saving little Joe until at least until June 2009.

“Sweetness,” a.k.a. Kayla Brady Johnson (Mary Beth Evans, May 23, 1986 and Monday, June 12, 2006), will do her dandiest to make sure Patch and Stephanie stay on the straight and narrow until June 2009. Although, Kayla may need dear friend and resident psychotherapist (Oops! Did I say psycho?), Dr. Marlena Evans Brady Black (Deidre Hall, June 21, 1976), to talk her down occasionally. Good thing Doc will be on call until at least September 2008, because her evil-turned-sweet daughter, Samantha Brady Roberts (Alison Sweeney, January 22, 1993 – September 2009) will need her to get her through her emotional crisis. Will her real life pregnancy be worked into the storyline and it will be revealed that E.J. Wells (James Scott, Tuesday, May 30, 2006) and she will be parents once again? I don’t know, but we’ll have plenty of time to sort all that out as E.J. should be in town through May 2009. Poor Nicole (Arianne Zucker), maybe she'll be able to get her man, now that it really counts. But she only has until March 2010 to do so.

If Stephano DiMera (Joseph Mascolo, June 2009) has his way, he will make certain that all of his children are happy, no matter what the cost. Unfortunately, his own vendetta will prove to bring down the DiMera family, and his name will be one of shame, rather than dignity and pride. Abe and Lexie Carver (James Reynolds, May 2009 and Renee Jones, June 2009, respectively), will be fighting on behalf of their son Theo's Autism.

Out of everyone, I think I will miss Alice’s (Frances Reid, November 8, 1965) doughnuts and sage advice. Alice can stay at my house as long as she likes. Only time will tell what will happen to the residents of Salem as they meander through the days of their lives.