One of the greatest gifts Ed Waggener has given Adair County--and he's given many--is Columbia Magazine. There is no more convenient vehicle for us to publicly express ourselves than with our poetry, prose and photos in Columbia Magazine. The incredible array of our word and picture creations from comforting poems to photos of soothing sunsets and bright flowers help give us joy in the present and hope for the future. For many of us Columbia Magazine is our daily read to find out what's going on. What's to eat today? What's to do today? What are our neighbors are up to?

Ed and I have been meeting for lunch about once a month. It's always a learning experience for me. I have told him many times that if we want an interpretation of what the creators of our Constitution had had in mind with the First Amendment, all we need do is check Columbia Magazine. It offers all of us an opportunity to express our joy and vent our frustrations. It is interactive. One of Ed's great pleasures is to rile us up on issues important to our community. He then steps back gives all an opportunity to be personally involved in those on-line discussions. It's a beautiful example of the freedom of expression that has made and kept this homeland of ours, as imperfect as it is sometimes, greater than any other.

Hurry home, Ed. We need you here with us. You have made our community a better place. --George Kolbenschlag