I would of course be pleased if you were to read all of them, but that’s a lot. If you have time for a dozen, these would be my recommendations, in ascending order of preference:
12. #002, Sep. 2007: Wellstone's legacy offers inspiration, Sep. 2007
11. #148, Nov. 2019: 'Viewer discretion is advised' for Trump rallies, Nov. 2019
10. #149, Dec. 2019: How does our community address 'wicked problems'?, Dec. 2019
9. #108, Jul. 2016: If I were a Muslim, I would wonder, July 2016
8. #079, Feb. 2014: No one owns art, knowledge, Feb. 2014
7. #033, Apr. 2010: Students refuse to be victims, Apr. 2010
6. #133. Aug. 2018: We can look like anyone, Aug. 2018
5. #024, July 2009: Diversity highlights patriotism, July 2009
4. #031, Feb. 2010: Idols frame final State of State, Feb. 2010
3. #168, July 2021: Human events brought us to this point, which means we can change course, July 2021
2. #052, Nov. 2011 and Feb. 2012: 10 objects to tell history of St. Cloud, Nov. 2011
1. #146, Sep. 2019: Where we are – in 21 words, Sep. 2019
Search the site
St. Cloud Times Columns
2022
#180, July 2022: Voters need to press GOP candidates on whether they stand with Trump or truth
#179, June 2022: Solidarity, common ground are grounds for hope
#178, May 2022: Beware gift card scams, from one who is sadder (and poorer) but wiser
#177, Apr. 2022: Waite Park is enlisting its stakeholders to build its future
#176, Mar. 2022: Benedictines live an example of how to govern through diversity
#175, Feb. 2022: Our lives will be remembered - if we care for our stories
#174, Jan. 2022: Can St. Cloud area be net zero on carbon by 2038?
2021
#173, Dec. 2021:The choice to remain unvaccinated for COVID lets doctors, nurses down
#172, Nov. 2021: New data shows how much we have to learn and do for an equitable community
#171, Oct. 2021: It's time to focus on the dividends of solidarity instead of division
#170, Sep. 2021: What the world needs now: Some slack, cut
#169, Aug. 2021: There's help for the hard discussions that our community needs to have
#168, July 2021: Human events brought us to this point, which means we can change course
#167, June 2021: Three occurrences bring singular lesson for America
#166, May 2021: What comes after Chauvin verdict is up to all of us
#165, Apr. 2021: Christ knocked at the door, he did not break it down
#164, Mar. 2021: Founder's birthday events kindle hope for the future
#163, Feb. 2021: 'No new taxes': The same debate, 13 years later
#162, Jan. 2021: How can we improve upon ourselves, our country in 2021?
2020
#161, Dec. 2020: COVID-19 has revealed inequities in education. What is being done?
#160, Nov. 2020: Silence of local GOP candidates speaks volumes
#159, Oct. 2020: Trump's 'racehorse theory' is divisive and dangerous
#158, Sep. 2020: A conversation with Waite Park police chief Dave Bentrud
#157, Aug. 2020: How have we come to where “‘only’ 150,000 dead” is acceptable?
#156, July 2020: The reckoning is here
#155, June 2020: Working together is step in right direction
#154, May 2020: Why heritage matters
#153, Apr. 2020: Blueprint lays out what we need to work toward
#152, Mar. 2020: In a time of religious friction, words matter
#151, Feb. 2020: Local events give hope for equality and acceptance
2019
#149, Dec. 2019: How does our community address 'wicked problems'?
#148, Nov. 2019: 'Viewer discretion is advised' for Trump rallies
#147, Oct. 2019: Central Minnesotans: Who are we?
#146, Sep. 2019: Where we are – in 21 words
#145, Aug. 2019: Local politics are important - make your voice heard
#144, July 2019: There are no 'others' - St. Cloud is for all of us
#143, June 2019: Let's embrace youth's value of acceptance
#142, May 2019: To fix society's issues, it's time to think long-term
#141, Apr. 2019: Making end-of-life plans now can be a gift to loved ones later
#140, Mar. 2019: Children's museum another example of city's inclusion and unity
#139, Feb. 2019: One Minnesota Equity Blueprint charts path to thrive together
2018
#137, Dec. 2018: Locally, there are ways to fight sexual exploitation, trafficking
#136, Nov. 2018: Political conversation needs to switch to affordable housing
#135, Oct. 2018: Important questions to ask candidates before voting
#134, Sep. 2018: Community and hospitality found at St. Cloud Hospital
#133. Aug. 2018: We can look like anyone
#132, July 2018: Barriers, gerrymandering and proposed census question threaten the right to vote
#131, June 2018: Everyone can do their part to help the homeless
#130, May 2018: Omnibus passenger will take us into the ditch
#129, Apr. 2018: Survey results show work needed to deserve GREATER motto
#128, Mar. 2018: Find solution to guns now, before “It can’t happen here” happens again
#127, Feb. 2018: Will historians look back on a diverse or divisive St. Cloud area?
#126, Jan. 2018: First Amendment a bedrock of democracy, but some things should be off limits
2017
#125, Dec. 2017: Let's science that
#124, Nov, 2017: St. Cloud council's vote reflects GREATER>! community
#123, Oct. 2017: Upbeat 'QBR' hints at community challenges
#122, Sep. 2017: Catholic-Protestant connection shows we can get along
#121, Aug. 2017: Focus on Tech's future instead of fight about past
#120, July 2017: Local events unite at a time of division
#119, June 2017: New local books prove we have right stuff, right people
#118, May 2017: Don't let corporations (via state) trample local control
#117, April 2017: State not on same page as people for education spending
#116, Mar. 2017: 50 years shows real value of 3 entities
#115, Feb. 2017: Investing in kids is worth it
#114, Jan. 2017: In this new year, let facts guide the conversation
2016
#113, Dec. 2016: Let’s correct Electoral College mistake
#112, Nov. 2016: I'm not endorsing anyone; I am endorsing civility
#111, Oct. 2016: September events stand to define area's future
#110, Sep. 2016: School district listened to you; now support it
#109, Aug. 2016: Terrorism is to Islam what KKK is to Christianity
#108, Jul. 2016: If I were a Muslim, I would wonder
#107, June 2016: Remember, democracy does not come easy
#106, May 2016: Let's see if Housing First fits here
#105, Apr. 2016: Homelessness movie hits home here
#104, Mar. 2016: Trip to Cuba opens eye — and then some
#103, Feb. 2016: Local Imagination Library among best in U.S.
2015
#101, Dec. 2015: Early childhood ed deserves its space
#100, Nov. 2015: Look back 100 years to 'new' Tech
#099, Oct. 2015: Listen to experts about education needs, plans
#098, Sep. 2015: Listening, discussion are the way forward
#097, Aug. 2015: Support for refugees is not partisan
#096, July 2015: In marriage ruling, court mirrors Bible interpretations
#095, June 2015: Choral work inspires us to improve the world
#094, May 2015: If Bachmann's view is right, I'll make another choice
#093, Apr. 2015: Some misinterpret Founders' intent of religious freedom
#092, Mar. 2015: Surplus could restore state's focus on strong children
#091, Feb. 2015:New priorities set stage for legendary growth
2014
#089, Dec. 2014: 'Tiny homes' idea taking shape
#088, Nov, 2014: Shopping local pays dividends
#087, Nov, 2014: Renewing sales tax will help area be greater
#086, Sep. 2014: Celebrations on solemn day speak volumes
#085, Aug. 2014: Many messages in Williams' death
#084, Jul. 2014: Court erred in Hobby Lobby ruling
#083, June 2014: Christian history isn't all peace
#082, May 2014: Italy trip, Dayton’s talk resonate
#081, Apr. 2014: Why won't we change to save our global future?
#080, Mar. 2014: Add 'extra' to Minnesota's reserve
#079, Feb. 2014: No one owns art, knowledge
#078, Jan. 2014: St. Cloud can offer state examples of teamwork
2013
#077, Dec. 2013: Mandela, Suu Kyi, Havel show renewal of humanity is within reach
#076, Nov. 2013: Remember people not as lucky as you
#075, Oct 2013: Expect more from our able, eager youth
#074, Sep. 2013: Event adds volume to veterans' voices
#073, Aug. 2013: Concern yourself with students' growth
#072, July 2013: Christianity doesn't require all ducks in a row
#071, June 2013: She set 'pay it forward' standard
#070, May 2013: 2013 legislative session makes Minnesota history
#069, Apr. 2013: Our priorities have 3 virtues
#068, Mar. 2013: Bills give chance to do better
2012
#065, Dec. 2012: Homeless rates are chilling
#064, Nov. 2012: Stand up for StandDown
#063, Oct 2012: Rich resources buy freedom
#062, Sep. 2012: Consider these biblical views
#061, Aug. 2012: Community has big role in future of our children
#060, July 2012: Russia not so mysterious
#059, Jun 2012: Proposed amendments should fail
#058, May 2012: Trafficking is alive in Minnesota
#057, Apr. 2012: Stories in future resonate
#056, Mar. 2012: Let's examine loaded terms
#055, Feb. 2012: Election is a human issue
#054, Jan, 2012: False memories mislead US
#052, Nov. 2011 and Feb. 2012: 10 objects to tell history of St. Cloud
2011
#053, Dec. 2011: Giving back helps us all
#052, Nov. 2011 and Feb. 2012: 10 objects to tell history of St. Cloud
#051, Oct. 2011: Give me liberty? Try cooperation
#050, Sep. 2011: No 'working together' with GOP
#049, Aug. 2011: Candidates invoke Christianity
#048, July 2011: Saint John's Bible almost done
#047, June 2011: Education is up to all of us
#046, May 2011: Let's do as Reagan did, not said
#045, Apr. 2011: Bishop: ‘Building a better world’
#044, Mar. 2011: Redistricting needs new approach
2010
#041, Dec. 2010: Think as citizen, not taxpayer
#040, Nov. 2010: Can we find the common good?
#039, Oct. 2010: Abbot exemplified leadership
#038, Sep. 2010: 'We the people' includes all of us
#037, Aug. 2010: Target ought to avoid donations
#036, July 2010: We need to invest in each other
#035, June 2010: Tea party split; America stands
#034, May 2010: Haws embodies public service
#033, Apr. 2010: Students refuse to be victims
#032, Mar. 2010: Pawlenty lets St. Cloud down
2009
#029, Dec. 2009: Obama, call country to service
#028, Nov. 2009: Our voter turnout is pathetic
#027, Oct. 2009: Appreciating Obama’s reach
#026, Sep. 2009: Let’s keep the center together
#025, Aug. 2009: City must keep rights office
#024, July 2009: Diversity highlights patriotism
#023, June 2009: Vision goes deeper than sight
#022, May 2009: No religion in news? Look again
#021, Apr. 2009: Opinions vary; facts never do
#020, Mar. 2009: What motivates our donations?
2008
#017, Dec. 2008: Obama aware of deep truths
#016, Nov. 2008: Death can teach us about life
#015: Oct. 2008: Levy vote is for good of us all
#014, Sep. 2008: Celebrate theater, library
#013, Aug. 2008: Shannon was a good example
#012, July 2008: 'No new taxes' is not Minnesotan
#011, June 2008: Hope doesn't disappoint
#010: May 2008: We must not repeat tragic past
#009, Apr. 2008: Disapproval could be a memory
#008, Mar. 2008: Taxes, budgets are moral issues