I’ve never been big into making New Year’s resolutions. Sure, I see the start of a new year as sort of a clean slate, thinking I’ll try to do this better and maybe spend less time doing that; eat this, not that — all in an effort to create a better me!
(Yes, you may be thinking: How can there be a better you? Good point.)
But, with many of those goals, it ends up with me basically pulling a saying from Popeye: “I am what I am, and that’s all that I am.”
I do have some goals and hopes for 2017, and perhaps I’ll write about them in a future issue. When it comes to Town&Gown, the goals and hopes for the staff here haven’t changed. It’s to produce a magazine each month that people want to pick up and, by reading it, may discover something new about Happy Valley, or be inspired by someone or something featured in an issue, or want to support a nonprofit or the local business community more.
Each year, the January issue represents a chance for us to set the tone for the next 12 months. It’s an opportunity to improve or adjust the magazine — whether with a new look or new columns. This January issue is no different. Inside, you’ll find two new departments and a new special section.
First, this month features two new departments — “Great Outdoors” and “Artist of the Month.” “Great Outdoors”
will run every other month. Given this region’s renowned outdoors scene — fishing, hiking, parks, bicycling — it makes sense to cover that more. This month’s story looks at cross-country skiing in the region.
Another amazing scene in Happy Valley is the arts scene. We are blessed to have so many wonderful artists of all genres living here — musicians, painters, writers, actors. So again, it makes sense to cover this more with a monthly spotlight on a local artist. This month’s feature is on poet Gabeba Baderoon. The monthly story replaces “State College Photo Club’s Winning Photos,” which Town&Gown ran for the past few years. We enjoyed working with the photo club and want to thank its members for allowing us to showcase their work. And don’t be surprised if some of its members are pro led in future “Artist of the Month!”
Then there’s our “A New Year, A New You” special section that features everything from improving your health to improving your job prospects in 2017.
Please feel free to e-mail me any suggests or comments about the new departments or special section, or anything about the magazine.
Finally, from the staff of Town&Gown, we want to wish everyone a healthy and happy 2017! We look forward to another year of sharing with you the stories about the wonderful people, places, and events in Centre County.
