Editor’s Letter

A Few Thoughts on Community

AS A CHILD, I BELIEVED WHOLEHEARTEDLY that I’d end up in New York City someday. I wanted everything that my hometown couldn’t give me: An artistic community, diverse opinions, hustle and bustle, a sense of opportunity. All I really knew about New York was that I could see Broadway shows there, but even so, it had to be more interesting than anything in Alabama.

In retrospect, I did manage to find a few noteworthy stories in my hometown. A favorite childhood hobby involved interviewing anyone who’d give me the time of day, then using that content to make homemade magazines. I’d distribute them to friends, each issue clumsily cobbled together in Microsoft Word 2000 and brought to life by the family InkJet printer and staples. Isn’t it funny how things work out?

I never did make it to New York; instead, I lived in London for a year and a half during graduate school. The experience broadened my worldview exponentially — while also challenging preconceived notions about the kind of place I wanted to call home. Getting bored was impossible, but something felt... missing. Who knew how easy it was to feel like an outsider in a place that’s jam-packed with 8.98 million other people? Sure, it’s cliched, but I never realized how much I valued genuine community until I lacked it.

I didn’t find what I was looking for until I moved to Bellingham. It’s common to know our neighbors here, just as it’s common to feel a sense of allegiance to the places we frequent on a regular basis. This area is made special by all the local businesses and individuals that create the fabric of our community — not to mention all the incomparable nature (but that’s a story for another issue).

It’s clear that our readers share this sense of community pride, especially considering that 916,029 votes were cast in this year’s Best of the Northwest competition. This turnout is extremely heartening after nearly two years of living with COVID-19, and as the pandemic continues to evolve, local businesses still need our support now more than ever.

As you flip through this issue, I invite you to reflect on what makes the North Sound area important to you personally. From the bartender who remembers your name to the boutique owned by a friend, we all have people and places that make us feel seen. This annual competition is all about celebrating the best our area has to offer, and you’re sure to stumble across some familiar names in these pages.

Before moving on, I’d like to extend a hearty congratulations to this year’s winners, as well as express gratitude to everyone who cast their vote. Thank you all for supporting the magazine, our advertisers, and each other.

Warmly,

COCOA LANEY Editor In Chief