Isms: Views on life in rural America

I've traveled to different places over the years - overpopulated cities and rural villages - and one element makes certain places stand out.

You just know when a place has a defined sense of community. It isn't necessarily a bustling downtown or cutesy storefronts. It's a feeling experienced while talking to residents, the pride shown in its collective history, the initiative to look ahead and map a future. It's an energy that encourages collaboration, a chance to dream big and celebrate successes.

Call it a hunch, but I believe those qualities led to Clearwater being selected as the recipient...