Author - The Durango Herald

Wrap your new tree to protect it from winter temperature swings

In Southwest Colorado, our coldest months are fast approaching. Allow me to remind you: In December 2015, we had 11 nights that registered below zero at the airport; January had ...

DATE: Nov 30, 2016 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office

Ideas to survive the coming darkness

By Carole McWilliams We are entering a long dark time, and I don't mean winter. I'm guessing that many of the MAJORITY of American voters who voted for Hillary Clinton...

DATE: Nov 25, 2016 | CATEGORY: Talk of the Times

Adult-youth partnerships drive success of 4-H

It’s time to be thankful. As your 4-H Extension agent, I couldn’t be more thankful for all the youths and adults in our program. The partnerships between adults and young people ...

DATE: Nov 16, 2016 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office

Thank a veteran today

After Tuesday's bitterly divisive election, I hope we can all turn as a country to a subject I think most of us agree on: thanking and respecting our veterans. Both of our small t...

DATE: Nov 10, 2016 | CATEGORY: Talk of the Times

For growers, it was a glorious year in Southwest Colorado

Come November, I traditionally write the “end of the year” or “season in review” column. I lament on the dry winter, the cold spring, the brutally hot summer and even the sneaky end-of-the-s...

DATE: Nov 2, 2016 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office

We've become a nation of crybabies

I have a horrible confession to make. I secretly like to watch Undercover Boss. I know, it's reality TV, the scourge of our time, but there's kind of a comforting sameness to it. ...

DATE: Oct 27, 2016 | CATEGORY: Talk of the Times

Claims of rigged election threaten essential trust

One of my life observations has been that people who are trusting (until given reason not to trust) can usually be trusted. People who are not trusting should not be trusted. In both cases, ...

DATE: Oct 20, 2016 | CATEGORY: Talk of the Times

La Plata County 4-H expands outreach with STEM program

To succeed in the 21st-century workforce, young people will need skills in science, technology, engineering and math. They will also need life skills in public speaking, leadership and commu...

DATE: Oct 19, 2016 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office

No vote is a default vote for winner

Back in the spring, we got an e-mail at the Times that said, "With the poor choices we have for either party, I've been told that if I don't vote for one of them, my NO vote goes to one of t...

DATE: Oct 13, 2016 | CATEGORY: Talk of the Times

Support 3B for Bayfield schools

While living in a 100-year-old home can be charming, it's usually not the best when it comes to energy efficiency, safety, and modern conveniences. The same can be said for our ki...

DATE: Oct 13, 2016 | CATEGORY: Talk of the Times

We are one nation under what?

By Carole McWilliams "A house divided against itself cannot stand." - Abraham Lincoln I've anguished over that for a long time, given the toxic divisions in our politic...

DATE: Oct 6, 2016 | CATEGORY: Talk of the Times

Ideal conditions make for spectacular fall foliage

If you can figure out how to maneuver through the national political scene that has infected my Facebook page, you can see that almost every one of my local “friends” has taken a photo of th...

DATE: Oct 5, 2016 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office