​Happy three year!

Thank you to our wonderful writers at HPR

March marks my third year anniversary as HPR’s editor-in-chief. I’d like to take this time to recognize some folks that make my job possible (and wonderful): HPR’s core writers. Our staff and readers so highly treasure their voice, their hard work and their dedication to quality journalism.

Film editor Greg Carlson is an exceptional writer whose movie reviews are featured in HPR every week. There are few people in this community with the passion and knowledge Greg has on modern and classic cinema. Be sure to check out his cover feature this week, a Q&A with film icon John Waters.

Movies editor Christopher Jacobs has been with our paper since day one. He’s been a writer for HPR longer than any other contributor or staff on this paper. As a film professor at UND and veteran columnist, his expertise on classic cinema is unmatched in the area and comes through beautifully in his writing.

For as long as I’ve been editor, Granville Wood has contributed food reviews and columns for HPR. He comes from an extensive background in the restaurant industry, and his knowledge and zest for the culinary arts is brought to life in his column. Get a marvelous taste of Wood’s cuisine at the Blue Goose Café, located inside the Plains Art Museum.

Food writer Deb Jenkins is not only a town treasure for her contributions to local music, she is also an esteemed chef and caterer. She can cook nearly anything, from ethnic foods to traditional dishes with her own personal flavor. We’re so very pleased to have her back writing for us.

With popular restaurants like JL Beers, Würst Bier Hall, Sickies Garage, Sidestreet Grille & Pub and more offering dozens of craft brews, we couldn’t be more pleased to have writer Krissy Ness keeping us up-to-date on the latest and greatest beers. She’s a great writer with a great palate for beer tasting.

A&E writer Jack Dura is easily one of the most dedicated, proactive and hardworking writers we’ve had on our team. He’s truly passionate about supporting the arts community and he’s a true delight to work with. This semester, after two years of contributing as a volunteer writer, he’s interning with HPR.

Ed Raymond, aka The Gadfly, is sharp, smart, funny, unapologetic and, yes, very liberal. He’s easily our most well-known columnist for all these reasons, including the fact that he’s been writing this column for more than a decade. What is he, like, 80-something years old now? We adore him.

Conservative political writer Rob Port is one of the brightest in the state. As an unmistakably liberal newspaper, HPR sees the addition of Port’s column as a way to somewhat balance our opinion section. What better way to do so than by giving that space to the most influential and popular blogger in the state of North Dakota?

I like to brag a bit about one of HPR’s newer contributors, Basement’s Best columnist Stephen Anderson. I approached him not knowing if he had an interest in writing, I just knew him as a fantastic musician and KNDS’s music director. Anderson has turned out to be, in my opinion, the area’s best music writer/reviewer.

Of course I also must recognize HPR’s assistant editor Chris Hennen for his valuable contributions to the paper. HPR has had more news coverage than ever thanks to Chris, who’s also the promoter for The Aquarium. He knows how to ask tough questions and get honest answers. He’s made a fantastic addition to our core staff.

Copy editors Taylor Blumer and Jack Dura are two of my saviors. These two young men are pros. I’ve mentioned many times that I have no prior journalism experience to HPR. So I still feel like a novice editor. I’ve relied on our staff and contributors to help guide me, while continuing to educate myself on my own time. I learn something new every day. It’s part of the reason I love my job.

Much praise, also, to HPR’s semi-regular contributors: Särah Nour (writers block), Jay Rice (comedy), Ravi Panjini (wellness), Brittney Goodman (culture/features), Richard Kolotkin (love & marriage), Lisa Nawrot (live & learn), Amy Borgman (features), Troy Jackson (culture), Charlie Barber (opinion) and Phil Hunt (music).