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

Once every five years or so, we get a new television. Sometimes it's because we actually need one — like that summer when a lightning strike electrocuted several of our appliances. But most of the time, it's because Tom starts reading about the incredible picture quality on the newest TV screens, and he just can't stand it anymore. He needs to see it for himself. more

January is National Book Month, so why not get lost in a couple of great books this month to celebrate? Some of my favorite older titles in the New Year to consider: more

When it comes to being kind and helpful to your neighbors, people might wonder if it fits with liberal or conservative values. The truth is, kindness doesn’t belong to just one political side — it’s a universal idea that connects to both perspectives. more

Few sounds in winter are more unwelcome than that of a pitchfork scraping the hay loft floor. more

Recoiled and camouflaged against the aquatic vegetation they call home, the chain pickerel is a finely-tuned ambush predator that is arguably among America’s most underrated gamefish. Opinions of them are as varied as the striking emerald green chain-link patterns on their bodies, but for diehard fishermen like me who refuse to put down the stick in the middle of winter, they are a tackle-busting blessing. more

The title of this column is “Managing Expectations” and as I write this, I’m asking myself, “Whose expectations am I managing? Mine or theirs?” more

The start of a new year brings a sense of new beginnings and hope for many of us. Maybe you are like me and are vowing to give up a bad habit. Mine is cutting back on eating too many desserts! more

Sometimes, life’s most beautiful moments come not from the choices we make, but from the ones that are thrust upon us. We all know that life doesn’t always follow the path we expect. Every so often, it jolts us in a new direction, and we find ourselves somewhere we didn’t even know we wanted to go. more

I heard on the news some schools are banning cell phones. more