As I’ve mentioned before, sometimes the expectations I have to manage are my own. Whew. more

New year, new beginnings. Maybe an overdone theme for a monthly column. Yet, here we are, and I promise there is some good stuff. more

The new year is underway, and the countdown to spring has started. There’s typically something to appreciate in each day and season, so I try not to get ahead of myself and wish the calendar away. That said, you’ve heard of “fair weather fishermen?” When the temps hit single digits and the evening darkness blankets the late afternoon, I become more of a fair-weather human! more

Anyone who lives on a gravel road knows what happens when it snows — your road isn't getting bladed until all the blacktops are cleared. This past snowstorm had me holed up at home with my family.  more

A couple of weeks ago, I found myself on the road to Springfield, eager to catch the new Bob Dylan biopic, "A Complete Unknown." The film was, as critics have unanimously praised, fantastic — a masterful portrayal of an enigmatic artist whose influence has rippled through generations. Yet, as compelling as the movie was, it is not the film itself that has lingered with me. Instead, it was the resonance of Dylan's music, a soundtrack to my younger day. more

Building strong relationships with our neighbors is a lot like growing a Chinese bamboo tree. At first, it may seem like nothing is happening, but with patience, effort and care, incredible growth can occur over time. more

I digressed again about Alvie Owen. I will not digress anymore right now, but reserve the right to do so if I lose my train of thought. more

Remember when a nickel would buy a bottle of Coca Cola? more

Blind dates may not be for everyone, but the library hopes to change some minds about that this month! more

Our communities, our state and our country are at a crossroads, facing the intersection of energy security, food security and property rights.  more

To the editor, more

Stop reading this article. more

There they were, scattered out in the pasture, lots of them! But they were not ready. more

In Derek Thompson’s cover story for The Atlantic, titled “The Anti-Social Century,” he explores a critical social trend: Americans are spending more time alone than ever before, and this shift has profound implications for our personalities, politics and overall societal health.  more

I’m pretty particular when it comes to my reading selections, but I discovered an author this week that may become one of my favorites. more

I call myself a writer and newspaper columnist, but I’m increasingly doubtful that’s my most important job. more

Rural communities are seeing a boom in renewable energy development. Whether it’s wind energy or solar energy, communities reap the benefits from increased tax revenues, new job creation and local lease payments. Better yet, communities can unlock additional benefits through Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs). more

To the editor:  more

Every week when I sit down to write this column, I try to find a naturally-occurring overarching theme. I ask myself, “What have we encountered a lot of this week?” more

Welcome back to “Chris' Corner,” where I try to steer clear of politics to focus on the common threads that connect us all. However, just this once, I need to veer slightly into that thorny territory. Not to stir the pot, but to address a deeper concern that transcends individual issues. more