Special to the HT MEEKER | This is the time when words of hope for the future fill the air. Most are directed at younger generations as they matriculate from secondary schools to colleges and universities. The beginning and end of each school year seem to contain more optimism and[Read More…]
Columns
VINE & VITTLES: ‘Harley jacket’ wine?
Special to the HT MEEKER | Ahhh, the wine business. Not an easy one. Wine is a vast topic and can be incredibly complicated. Getting into wine knowledge is not for the faint of heart, but I think that you can say that with any number of hobbies. There is[Read More…]
RBCHS GUEST COLUMN: A personal invitation to step in and help carry our story forward
Special to the HT RBC | There are moments in an organization’s life when you can feel that something important is shifting. This is one of those moments for the Rio Blanco County Historical Society. In my time as Executive Director, I’ve had the chance to watch people walk through[Read More…]
VINE & VITTLES: Toe-May-Toe? Toe-Mah-Toe?
Special to the HT MEEKER | As co-owner of a tiny gourmet grocery, I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about food — lately, the tomato. Nerdy? Maybe… However, it has a surprisingly rich history, and there are ways to get more out of it than you might expect[Read More…]
GUEST COLUMN: Honoring a memory
Special to the HT MEEKER | For many years, my sister found my April 29 birthday excruciating. It was almost impossible for her to wish me a happy birthday. The dates sit too close. Her son, Casey Timothy Turner (born Sept. 17, 1963), died on April 30, 1976, at age[Read More…]
VINE & VITTLES – Whiskey? Or… whisky?
MEEKER| I was listening to one of my favorite bands, Skerryvore (https://skerryvore.com)—a Scottish Celtic rock group—wearing a merch shirt from one of the times I’ve seen them live in Denver. The shirt says “Made in Scotland. Powered by Whisky.” I thought, now that may be a fun topic for Vine[Read More…]
LOOSE ENDS: ‘Dress for success’
MEEKER| We a sociological study determined that the way one dressed affected how that individual was treated. Many studies over the years have reported on the importance of the almost outdated fashion concept, “Dress for Success”. It used to be followed strictly to achieve a measure of success in the[Read More…]
VINE & VITTLES – Bites, Bottles & Banter
MEEKER | An amazing opportunity has come my way: I get to write about food and drink, in any aspect I desire—on a recurring basis. Whether it’s recipes, recommendations, history, hot topics (yes, even those pesky rising grocery prices!), or just some lighthearted banter, I get to explore it all.[Read More…]
LOOSE ENDS: Playground Politics
MEEKER |“Playground Politics” are back with a vengeance It first became visible in the larger public meetings involving local issues. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason for it. The size of the community didn’t appear to be as much a factor as a general disinterest toward collaborating with[Read More…]
LOOSE ENDS: More listening, less loudness
MEEKER | The challenge to certain words used by any one of us in the middle of a serious conversation may go unnoticed. There are numerous examples of rancorous issues, but the one that comes up most frequently now is immigration. The words two politicians were arguing over on a[Read More…]
LOOSE ENDS: Avalanche danger still exists, despite dry conditions
MEEKER | The news feeds on all of our electronic devices have been busy lately, reporting an increase in Mountain West avalanche deaths alongside a decrease in annual snowpack and precipitation. Locally, snowmobilers and cross-country skiers haven’t had to worry as much about avalanche conditions this winter. But with exceptionally[Read More…]
LOOSE ENDS: Valentine’s Day and feeling at home
The geographical location of childhood makes up an important part of all the memories one attributes to the place originally called home. Long after, the sensory memories linger. It doesn’t matter if an individual feels more at home living far away from of a family’s place of origin, over the[Read More…]



