Over several days in the middle of September, I had the unusual privilege of reading and scoring  nominations from across the nation for Neighbor of the Year. It was a big job. There were 115 nominations from 34 states to score! By the end, I had read stories about people shoveling snow, repairing cars, delivering food, checking on older adults, welcoming newcomers, organizing neighborhood gatherings, helping people find housing, mentoring young people, preparing communities for wildfire, and simply becoming the person others know they can call. Taken together, the nominations offered something more valuable than a list of good deeds.  They offered a picture of what neighboring looks like in America today. And after the public voted on our Top 10 (over 6,000 votes were cast) we ended up with the first Neighbor of the Year in Neighbor's Bank contest. You can read about Judi Carlson of Dunwoody, Georgia online . The judging rubric asked us to consider six things: positive impact...

When comparing Steve Urkel from Family Matters and Wilson Wilson Jr. from Home Improvement , both characters left a lasting mark as memorable TV neighbors. However, Wilson stands out as the better neighbor due to his steady presence, wisdom, and genuine care. Steve Urkel, while lovable and iconic, was often more of a comedic disruption than a supportive neighbor. His heart was in the right place, but his constant accidents, inventions gone wrong, and boundary-pushing antics caused chaos for the Winslow family. Urkel meant well, but his presence often created more stress than comfort. In contrast, Wilson was the calm in the storm. Always found over the backyard fence with only half his face visible, Wilson offered grounded advice, historical references, and thoughtful perspectives to Tim Taylor and his family. He never imposed himself but was always available. Wilson respected boundaries, supported personal growth, and often helped resolve family conflicts with a quiet word of wisdom. ...