There is a magnet on my refrigerator with an image of a girl with a bindle over her shoulder and a suitcase in her hand. She is at a crossroads, literally and figuratively, I guess, because as she starts down the road, the sign behind her says two things: “Your Life” and “No Longer an Option.” At the top of the magnet in bold letters it reads “DON’T LOOK BACK.”
This magnet kept popping into my head as I pondered what profound things I would say about embarking upon our 21st year. My CH2 girls thought we should have a huge party to celebrate our 20th anniversary. There was talk of bringing back the Bachelor of the Year contest – arguably the thing that put us on the map two decades ago. I wasn’t so sure.
I thought about how, for our fifth year, we gathered the entire team of freelancers, photographers, graphic designers, etc., on stage at the Arts Center to commemorate our achievements. For some reason, I find that amusing now. All that fanfare for five whole years in business. But to be honest, those were the more difficult years – as probably most business owners can attest to. You are unproven, untried – mostly out there floundering and working your butt off to make “it” successful.
Twenty years ago, in my very first Editor’s Note, I wrote about how a newsletter for a restaurant loyalty club was transitioning into a monthly publication. We were 64 pages in September of 2006. Features included an article about the Hilton Head Hospitality Association’s Foodfest, which was held at Shelter Cove Community Park – but not the one you think. There are condos there now.
There were some back-to-school tips for parents (“Make an effort to get to know your child’s teacher”) and features on businesses that are no longer around. Does anyone recall Larry’s Giant Subs, Party Land, and Remember When, a charming memorabilia shop that used to call Main Street home? There was also a feature on Amie Baima, owner of Skillets Cafe and Grill, a still-thriving restaurant in Coligny Plaza – and, unironically, the focus of this year’s Staying Power salute on page 30.
In our very first issue, writer Jenny McNeal profiled a local beekeeper, Larry Paton. To this day, I remember photographing him from the safety of my car as he tended to his bees in full beekeeper regalia. This made me chuckle a bit as I prepare to don a bee costume tomorrow for an educational video Jevon Daly and I are working on regarding murder hornets. Twenty years later, we are still celebrating, protecting, and talking about honeybees!
So, without much fanfare or celebration, I present to you the first issue in our 21st year. Because I don’t think we should be looking back, resting on our laurels, or celebrating past accomplishments. I think all our efforts should be focused on the future, and what wonderful ideas and content we can share with island residents as we embark on the next 20 years.
Cheers!