We like to discuss arts and music and the impacts these elements have on our community. While recent strides in these areas have definitely contributed to the health of the Chippewa Valley, a few other cornerstones remain in place, carrying the weight of progress in western Wisconsin. Our schools and the teachers they employ remain some of the best in the state, and while our eyes are continually drawn to all the impressive new buildings going up around the area, the natural beauty of our rivers and forests continues to shine. In third, whether they’ve gotten recent facelifts or are continuing to transform our cities from their traditional locations, our public libraries keep helping make the Chippewa Valley what it is. –Eric Rasmussen