As you can see by my photo, you must be asking yourself, “What was he thinking?” I like my hair. It kept my head quite cozy in the winter.

I lost my hair because last Friday was our final day to finish sales for the 32nd edition of Horizons. I’m cursed with this sense of never being satisfied and wanted to see more customer participation. After all, last year’s improved magazine format and content was highly read and valued by the community. And looking at this year’s story lineup, I couldn’t imagine why any business or service wouldn’t want to support and be seen in our most popular publication of the year. As an added incentive to our sales team, I offered to have my head shaved if they could reach my personal goal. This was going to be a close but no cigar deal. I would keep my mostly salt with a little pepper hair. Not so.

Deb from Off Main Street did the honors with my staffers looking on with laughter and cameras. From where I sat, it seemed kind of cruel. Afterward, I was told my new style made me look younger as I no longer had gray hair. It almost has me thinking I should keep this style.

This year’s Horizons is shaping up to be a great read with something for everyone.

Leading with For Fun, you will read about the area’s craze for classic cars.

Our Youth features the question “Stay or Go?” Local students tell us where they will live after their education is completed. You will learn why they decide to stay or go.

The Business section will feature our area’s small airports. We have many, and you will learn why they are important to you, even if you don’t utilize them yourselves.

Pet lovers will enjoy the Fur and Farm section. We rely on animals to make our lives happier and healthier. There are great features on everything from local animal shelters to dairy farms.

Read about the determined locally owned businesses that have a common goal in

Buchanan, Niles and Dowagiac. A vibrant downtown is important to the health of any community, and we are glad to have these folks as part of our community.

I have not seen the stories yet for the History or On Stage sections. Craig Haupert is in the process of writing one about the soon-to-be-closed Williams Hardware and how it was instrumental in helping to build Niles. Saxophonist John Eby will feature the Beckwith and Barn Swallow along with an update on the greatly anticipated reopening of the Ready Theater.

Our Faith closes the magazine with stories about the importance of the many great spiritual organizations that reach out to the community when in need. Features range from the Pokagon Band to Father Otto.

We will be putting Horizons to bed on Monday, and you can look for it in your newspapers on Feb. 28. We will have extra copies for sale in our Niles office.