If you visited downtown Niles Friday afternoon, you likely saw a sea of people in yellow shirts darting in and out of businesses, shouting “Wizard of Oz” quotes at one another.

That crazy crew — who I more affectionately refer to as my coworkers — was gearing up for the 37th annual Horizons edition, which kicked off Monday.

Following this year’s theme, “No Place Like Home,” our staff became reacquainted with our “home” roots by visiting our downtown neighbors for an Oz-themed scavenger hunt.

As L. Frank Baum taught us in the original book series and later in the popular film, the essence of a good person — and a good community — is a combination of brains, heart and courage.

Team members had to use their brains to figure out clues at each stop on the scavenger hunt map. They used their hearts by working with one another and getting to know local business owners throughout our downtown, and they used their courage to get out of their comfort zones and act a little silly to earn points for their team.

For the next four months, the Leader Publications team will revisit these three facets over and over again as use the same tools to plan stories and assist customers in getting the word out about their businesses.

We truly believe there is no place like home, and we are committed to being good stewards of our communities 365 days per year, but as we put together this year’s Horizons edition, we will be doubly dedicated to being good neighbors and involving those in our communities in the process. Our staff frequents local businesses, participates in civic organizations, reports on important happenings and bolsters the economy by helping local businesses grow.

In February, you will find stories about people and organizations with exceptional brains, heart and courage.  We believe Niles, Buchanan, Dowagiac, Cassopolis and Edwardsburg exemplify each of these components, and we want to showcase it.

Just like Dorothy in “Wizard of Oz,” we are on a mission to find the meaning of “home.” Like the Scarecrow, Tinman and Cowardly Lion, we are searching for brains, heart and courage throughout our communities.

Stories will feature a variety of people on various subjects, including people with generally “thankless” jobs, volunteer groups, transplant donors and recipients, inventors, and more.

If you know someone with exceptional brains, a heart of gold or a courageous spirit with a powerful story to tell, we would love to hear it.

We will again feature Unsung Heroes throughout our communities — folks who give themselves through service to others for the soul purpose that their hearts are called to do so. Submissions for Unsung Heroes candidates may be submitted to news@leaderpub.com or mailed to the Leader Publications office at 217 N. Fourth St., Niles, MI 49120.

As we compile our best Horizons edition yet, we invite all of you to follow us down the proverbial yellow brick road and join us on the adventure.

Ambrosia Neldon is the general manager at Leader Publications. She can be reached by phone at (269) 687-7700, or by email at ambrosia.neldon@leaderpub.com.