You don’t have to hear many words from me to figure out that I ain’t from around here. I was born and raised in Tennessee. If I get a paper cut, the resulting blood is orange. However, I recently relocated to the village of Dover along with my family. The reasons behind this move are geo-economic. Johnsons have never shied away from picking up stakes to find a better situation.

I am not a stranger to the area. My stepmother is a Princeton native, and we have visited here a number of times throughout the years. I have also heard many stories from my Grandpa Duffield about the Princeton Inn, the Tuesday and Friday Brothers, and a former editor of this publication — Theodore (Ted) Duffield. Nonetheless, if you hear me say one word, my accent will let you know that I am a foreigner.

Despite that, folks have been warm and welcoming here in Bureau County. I am very appreciative of that. I am also not surprised. Rural America is hospitable, whether you are in Illinois, Tennessee or California. I don’t know why exactly, but it is an observable fact.