In the publishing world, there’s no such thing as a true break. One deadline begets another, then another. There’s always a new issue to put to bed. Still, in the grand scheme of things, the end of the year marks a pretty good time to stop and reflect.
And boy, what a year it’s been.
Careful readers of this page are likely aware that we recently said goodbye to three valued colleagues. They include longtime art director Alley Moore and former-editor-in-chief-turned-contributing-editor Paul Schneider, both of whom retired this summer. Their departure was immediately preceded by associate editor Brooke Kushwaha, who left us after a too-brief two-year tenure to return to the sometimes-great state of Texas. While their smiling faces and contributions are still sorely missed, we’ve been busy staffing up behind the scenes.
In May, we welcomed Emma Nicholas Young, a well-known and well-respected Island-based designer, poet, and print and paper maker as our new art director. Emma had the unenviable task of learning a new, complicated job on the fly during the breakneck pace of a Vineyard summer. She more than proved herself capable and quickly put her stamp on the evolving style of this magazine.
Her hiring was followed this fall by senior editor Connie Berry. A much-loved veteran of both Island newspapers, Connie most recently served as associate publisher of the Martha’s Vineyard Times. Both unfailingly warm and a tireless worker, she is deeply connected to the Vineyard community and is always on the lookout for new stories.
Last but certainly not least, we are thrilled to welcome associate editor Vivian Ewing. This issue is her first. A talented Island-born-and-raised writer and editor, Vivian got her start as a reporting intern for the Vineyard Gazette. She is a frequent contributor to, and past news assistant for, The New York Times.
The three of them join managing editor Nicole Fullin, who has been an indispensable fixture of the magazine staff for nearly a decade. In her ever-dwindling extra time, Nicole also serves as editor of the biannual publication Island Weddings. In the coming year she will also take over as editor of the once-yearly Island Guide. While it’s no exaggeration to say this magazine would not and could not exist without Nicole’s efforts, that’s been especially true this past year. I’m tremendously grateful for her expertise and steady hand.
In the coming months, our new staffers will continue to add their voices, viewpoints, and styles to these pages. I can’t wait for you to see what they have in store. In the meantime, they are getting a crash course in what, exactly, makes this publication so unique. Every day, print magazines and newspapers throughout the country are closing up shop or replacing workers with AI and pay-for-play advertorials in the name of bottom-dollar efficiency. Quality and trust are sacrificed in the process. And yet here on the Island, we continue to enjoy the support of our owners, advertisers, and subscribers who value what we do and how we do it. We get paid to think creatively, seriously, and collaboratively about the Island in order to bring you interesting, compelling, and important stories. We are privileged to be able to do this job.
Next year marks the fortieth year of this publication, a milestone worthy of celebration. We plan to live it up. While we will spend plenty of time exploring our archives, rest assured that we also have our eyes trained on the future. We are committed to preserving and improving what makes this magazine so special. I hope you will join us on that journey, and I look forward to your continued support.
