FROM THE DESK

An acrylic painting by Hatteras Island artist Randi O’Sullivan. Photo by Ryan Moser.

We all have stories to tell.

HOW DO YOU TELL A GOOD STORY? That is – above all – the main question we have to contend with here at the North Beach Sun. And it doesn’t end – from the moment we come up with our first new ideas until the day an issue goes to press, that question is somewhere in the back of our minds, rattling around as a reminder that it’s our job both to find great stories, and also to tell them well.

Narrative is a tremendously powerful thing. It can open our eyes, move us, make us laugh or cry, and show us different ways of looking at the world around us. And it can even be a way of organizing seemingly disparate things and events – a means of getting from point A to B that may take a number of twists and turns, but ultimately allows us to forge a series of connections that might have otherwise been lost.

And that’s perhaps why it can be hard to recognize a good story at first glance. Like anyone in the business of narratives, there are plenty of times that we’ll hear a pitch or come across something new, and think it’s not quite what we’re looking for. Maybe it doesn’t appear very glamorous, or it feels too obscure, or it just doesn’t seem to have enough weight to it – whatever the case, it can be easy to dismiss a fledgling story idea this way.

More often than not, however, we find that if we look a little closer and dig a little deeper, the problem isn’t really the idea itself, but just that we haven’t figured out the best way to tell that particular story yet.

Because we all have stories to tell – whether big or small, life-changing or simply heartwarming – and the way we tell these stories can be just as important as the messages they contain. That’s where our voices can be found, after all, and that is where our truest point of connection lies.

As always, we hope you enjoy this issue – and all the varied stories it contains!

Publisher Editor staff

PUBLISHERS Adam & Cathy Baldwin

EDITOR Amelia Boldaji

ART DIRECTOR Dave Rollins

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Adam Baldwin Dylan Bush

CONTRIBUTORS Cathy Baldwin Amelia Boldaji Cory Godwin Steve Hanf Catherine Kozak Hannah Lee Leidy Amanda McDanel Ryan Moser

SALES MANAGER Helen Furr

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Faith Turek

The North Beach Sun is published quarterly by Access Media Group. All works contained herein are the property of the North Beach Sun. The views expressed in the articles contained herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor or Access Media Group. The published material, advertisements, editorials and all other content is published in good faith. Access Media Group and North Beach Sun cannot guarantee and accepts no liability for any loss or damage of any kind caused by errors, omissions or the accuracy of claims made by advertisers.

NORTH BEACH SUN 115 West Meadowlark St. Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 252.449.4444 editor@northbeachsun.com

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