We never know what changes life will bring us, no matter how well we plan. If we are doing what we love, the old saying goes, we will never work a day in our lives. If that resonates with you, you are in the right place. I know I am.

As I reflect on my 40 years in publishing, I am simply grateful to have had, and still be having, work that fulfills me. My best decisions in hiring have boosted me forward all these years while the worst just taught me needed lessons.

I am smart enough to know the bulk of my success happened because I have had support on three levels. My team members helped, guided, worked to support our goal of introducing our business neighbors to their client neighbors. We told readers their stories, celebrated their success.

The second level is found through the success of those clients, entrepreneurs serving their neighbors well, making us proud to represent them. The third level is certainly from you - our readers- who have supported us all these years, actually telling advertisers, "I saw you in The Shopper."

I am grateful to have all this support and it is why I am still able to look ahead and see new possibilities for our publications and new ways to connect with clients and readers.

I am the "face" of The Shopper, but it is my team who should be taking all the bows. I have always known that I get the credit for the outstanding work of each and every one here. I am the person who says, "Yes." They are the reasons everything happens.

After 40 years, I still find excitement, even fun, in this business. We came through 9/11, the economic crash in "08, and continue amidst this pandemic, not missing a beat, even with all the changes.

We needed the stability of our wonderful clients still believing in us and our readers encouraging us at every step. And I want to introduce our team members to you who simply and quietly make everything happen. I've been doing half-page stories for a client with an ever-expanding team, introducing their team members one at a time. I will do that with our team members as well.