Like the seasons, every edition of this magazine is different. Each stands out in its own way. It’s been over a year since I became editor of Around Concord, and I still can’t stop reveling in the process of the stories coalescing on the page, that inimitable feeling of seeing the glossy cover in vibrant color for the first time.
Usually, I bring a bunch of ideas to the table and our reporters breathe life into them. This time around, however, the magazine took shape in a different way. Our wonderful news editor Rebeca Pereira pitched me a story about the power of nature to facilitate healing. As soon as she described her vision, I knew it would be a perfect fit for our cover story. Editing the finished piece, months later, I was struck by the poignancy of the human stories she showcases against the background of lavender and beekeeping. Several times, I found myself blinking back the beginnings of tears.
Even weeks later, I find myself still thinking about Jodie Fennessy, who sought solace among the fields at Pumpkin Blossom Farm while battling terminal brain cancer. Or Greg Wortman, who turned to apiaries as places of comfort after returning from combat. Rebeca’s work moved me. (It often does!) I hope this story moves you, too.
Then, Charlotte Matherly, our fabulous State House reporter, told me she wanted to go on a tour of the New Hampshire state capitol with a class of fourth graders. Charlotte captured the excitement of students exploring the seat of the Granite State’s government for the first time, including young Arie Chauvette, who said, “It felt like I had the power to vote.”
I hope these stories transport you just as they’ve done for me and that they linger the next time you seek peace in the outdoors or drive past the State House.
Happy reading, and enjoy the summer!
