Publisher’s Note
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” ~President Theodore Roosevelt
To be honest, during the first few years after starting WestCoast magazine, I thought I had made that quote up. I had lived by it for so long, in every sense, that at some point or another I began to believe I had originated it. I clearly did not, and I thank a wise friend who made me aware of such. He saved me from a very public lesson in hubris.
That lapse of humility aside, I still find those words to be a driving force, regardless of where they came from. To me, they represent making the most of life and everything it encompasses. Those words represent having pride in all we do. They signify finding a way, despite the odds. They remind us to make every minute count and leverage every resource we have to do what needs to get done. They exemplify never waiting for the perfect moment and instead seizing the day. They characterize the inspiration, commitment, and creation of WestCoast magazine.
This is our 27th Anniversary issue, which means it’s a time for celebration but also a time for reflection. As I look back through the years and experiences in our communities, I’m overwhelmed by thankfulness. I couldn’t produce this publication without the support of an incredible, hardworking team, and I’m eternally grateful not only to our current staff of rock stars, but also to all the talented and dedicated individuals who preceded them. I’m forever grateful to our clients as well. As we celebrate the past 27 years, we also celebrate partnerships that have turned into friendships. No matter if a relationship is old or new, we love our clients. I’m in awe of so many for their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to their customers. I’ve had the honor to learn so much from the people we serve.
I’m equally thankful to our readers. The world of community magazines is a unique one, for many different reasons. We do our best to capture a lifestyle and cover important events in our communities, while providing you with relevant ads and articles on a variety of subjects that matter to you. We try to cover every stage of life. We don’t preach and we don’t pretend to have all the answers. However, through real-life stories and expert advice from our knowledgeable clients and contributing writers, we empower you, our readers, to make informed decisions that are right for you.
Whether you keep WestCoast issues for years, mail your copies (when you’re done with them) to your mother, sister, or friend in another state, carry us in your purse, keep us on your coffee table or in your bathroom, highlight pages with a yellow marker, or follow us on Instagram or Pinterest, I feel more honored than you could ever image. I can’t thank you enough for inviting us into your home, year after year.
As we raise our glasses to another year in publishing, and despite the challenges we’ve faced over the years with perhaps with the world’s smallest yet mightiest team, I’m grateful and humbled today to be able to say… I love that we can be who we are, do what we love, enjoy what we have, and appreciate where we are. I feel blessed for having the opportunity to experience this journey with all of you.
Until next time – live with passion!
P.S. If you enjoy reading this publication, please support our advertisers. Without them, we couldn’t do what we love!
