The new year has come, the holiday rush has passed and I’ve had some time to reflect on the last year and think about the year to come. So far, 2008 is off to an amazing start. One of my long time dreams is coming true. Almost four years ago I began publishing the community newsletter for the area of Saddle Ridge because I was looking for a way to give back to my community and additional projects for my portfolio. I had no clue just what a rewarding and amazing adventure it would be.
Simply by volunteering a few hours of my time each month I managed to make some amazing contacts and good friends in my community. It didn’t take long for me to put my touch on the newsletter taking a completely black & white publication and adding a splash of colour. About three years ago, I was talking with my printer, Steve Peden of Above All Printing, about how we could bring the Saddle Ridge newsletter to the next level when the idea for the North of McKnight Community Connection came about. However I wasn’t ready to launch the concept at the time.
Over this past year my life changed dramatically and I began thinking about how I could give even more back to my community and I started investigating the possibility of this publication. I wanted it to be different then any other community publication out there. Then, in the summer of 2007 a major player in the community newsletter publishing market all but disappeared overnight leaving many community associations wondering what to do. It was the sign I’d been waiting for, but I still wasn’t quite ready.
I eagerly began working towards making my vision to create a new multi-community publication, a reality. Then my opportunity arrived in the form of a board meeting with the Saddle Ridge Community Association. I pitched my idea, answered all the questions they had and before I knew it they were as excited as I was. Within a week I had spoken to three other community associations and had secured their support as well. Today, I’m happy to say that all five of the community associations in the North of McKnight area are behind my vision of a unified publication representing the larger community in which we all live, work or play.
The goal of the North of McKnight Community Connection is to bring you a unique and local look at all of the current events, issues and successes happening in your community. I want you to feel that this is your magazine, a place where you can share your stories, community articles, recipes, photos and opinions with your community—so send them in to be included in the magazine. Visit our website at community-connection.ca or send an email to me at marshall@community-connection.ca.
