Opening Doors
Milestones are important to celebrate. They are a reminder to pause and reflect. When we celebrated our 10th anniversary, little did we know that a pandemic was waiting in the wings and that there’d be a shortage of paper and our costs would skyrocket. I also couldn’t have predicted that we’d buy 10 warehouses, move our offices into one, create an event venue, and open a store and a restaurant (see page 13)—all while growing our brands and producing even more publications.
So as we celebrate 15 years, we’ve taken a deep breath and looked back at our accomplishments and the thousands of stories we’ve told (see page 68). I’m so proud of this company and the people who have helped us build it. I’m indebted to you, our readers, and our advertisers, who’ve supported us through thick and thin. We couldn’t tell our state’s story without you.
While looking back is great fun, we can’t focus on the past. Don’t get me wrong, I believe we have to know where we’ve been before we can know where we are going, but dwelling on the past prevents us from growing and adapting. So I prefer to look forward to the future. While there’s no way I can predict what media companies will look like in five years, let alone 15 years, there’s one thing I know for sure—there will always be a need for storytellers and vehicles to deliver those stories to people.
We are our state’s storytellers. Everyone at New South Media takes that responsibility very seriously. We are custodians of our communities’ cultural heritage, and we are agents of change. We work to inspire West Virginians to be proud of their heritage, and we strive to provide tools that will enrich our visitors’ experiences. We do this because stories matter. Stories shape us. They form what we think, how we feel, and who we are. Stories change us. They build better communities, and in doing so, build a better state.
To read my 15 Most Memorable Moments, click here!
This issue is packed with great stories. We announce our Best of West Virginia winners (page 80). Congratulations to the winners and runners up! It is no small feat to win or place in a statewide category, so please make an effort to support them and visit some of the places you’ve never been. We also celebrate our West Virginian of the Year (page 77). This will go down as the most unique interview I’ve ever done. And if you are in need of a little holiday spirit, spend the day in Martinsburg (page 63). While there, make sure you visit Jordan & Hess Co. (page 20)—this stunning shop’s window displays are a throwback to the animated Christmas displays of old—and eat at Firebox55 (page 31), where you’ll find some of the best barbeque in the state. And I love sculptor Bill Hopen’s work (page 54). In fact, I was gifted a piece of his from Melody and Tim Urbanic that I proudly display in my home.
The cover of our very first issue was a photo of a door from my great grandfather’s farmhouse in Clay County. I chose that door intentionally. This issue is appropriately another door, one found on the Jordan & Hess Co. building. Doors are a symbol of home and hospitality. They are gateways to discovery, representing the passage from one place to another. And that’s what WV Living has done and will continue to do—open doors and uncover hidden aspects of our state. Thank you for walking through that door with us for the past 15 years.
With gratitude,
NIKKI BOWMAN MILLS, Editor
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