I’ve only lived here about 15 months now, but in some ways the holidays have become my favorite time of year in Grant County. For the second year in a row I’ve had the privilege of covering a number of holiday events for the paper: the Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the Elks Lodge, the Cowboy Christmas Coronation Dinner to crown the incoming Grant County Fair and Rodeo Court, the Carrie Young Memorial Dinner and Auction and (for the first time this year) the Timber Truckers Light Parade. These events, all organized by volunteers, bring people together to help their neighbors and celebrate their community in ways that are inspiring, joyful and fun. These are the kinds of traditions that knit communities together and keep them strong. Long may they continue!

In case you missed last week’s paper, we had stories on the Grant County Food Bank, the Timber Truckers Light Parade, the Greater Idaho movement and the Grant County-Prairie City high school basketball rivalry.

In this week’s edition, look for a Q&A with incoming County Commissioner John Rowell and stories on Dayville School Superintendent Davida Irving, the resignation of John Day Community Development Manager Corum Ketchum, a group of kindergarten Christmas carolers and the outcome of the recent recall election. Plus, if I can get it done in time, a story about a World War II program that involved the late Margot Heiniger.

As always, I want to take this opportunity to thank our subscribers for their support. We can’t do this work without you!