The Editor’s Desk

We’re Back!

by Dean Blinkhorn [dean@ocalasgoodlife.com]

Well, as we’ve all been under shelter-at-home orders for much of the spring, you may have noticed—or not noticed— that there was no May/June issue of this magazine. We did something I’ve never done in 20 years of local publishing. We skipped an issue.

Oh sure, we’ve pushed and tugged at deadlines before. My business partner, Trevor Byrne, and I could regale you with many tales of high-speed car sprints across town to hit the one FedEx box that was open late or too-many-to-mention long nights at the office cramming three days of work into a few hectic-but-quiet overnight hours or working from libraries and front porches as a hurricane ravaged Central Florida, but we’ve never not produced an issue. Until now.

As Covid-19 took hold across the country and our collective nation wondered how bad it would get, we made the tough decision to relieve our advertisers the burden of their contracts and to spare ourselves of what would have undoubtedly been an issue that would lose money, probably a lot. It’s a shame, too. Last year set a record for our company and 2020 was shaping up to be even better. At least we had serious momentum to face the headwinds that were coming.

Now, four months after the last time you saw us, we’re back with a slightly different look and a slightly different delivery model. But here’s what hasn’t changed. Our dedicated readers. You’ve always been there for every issue we’ve ever produced and we know you’re still there. We’re just coming to you this month instead of the other way around. Who knows? We may keep this direct-mail option once this nasty virus stops rearing its ugly head.

Our wonderful team. Wait till you see what’s to come in the pages ahead. We have great stories and columns told by some of the best in Ocala. Mary Ellen, Melody, and Paula share their own personal stories of being quarantined, bonding with nature, and finding new ways to love our local restaurants. I pulled together our front-of-book section with some of the best inspirational stories of food drives, outspoken leadership, a truckload of toilet paper (no kidding), unique methods to measure social distancing, and ways our medical heroes were trying to keep us all safe.

But as a lifestyle magazine, we know you want our usual content, so we’re happy to provide some fun and safe ways for you to get out of your house and start living again. And, just for kicks, we decided to include a story we’ve had in the hopper since the beginning of the year, a hijacking recounted by a local woman who was on that harrowing flight. Richard tells that thrilling story.

In the end, we all want to live the good life again, even if for some of us that means seeing the paper products aisle of the supermarket fully stocked again! We can’t help with that, but we hope you find some good stories in this, our first issue back.

It’s a good feeling.

All the best, Dean

Everyone who knows me well is aware that I love music of all kinds, so...

What’s Dean Playing?

Bill Withers, “The Best Of Bill Withers: Lean On Me”—The R&B legend actually died of heart failure at 81, but this wonderful collection contains the essential jams: “Lean On Me,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lovely Day,” and “Just the Two Of Us.”

Ellis & Wynton Marsalis, “Joe Cool’s Blues”—The Marsalis patriarch died from Covid-19 complications at 85, but I always enjoyed this playful set with his son from 1994. The pianist and trumpeter run through a delightful repertoire inspired by the beloved Peanuts characters.

Fountains Of Wayne, “Welcome Interstate Managers”— Three decades younger than the previous two men, Adam Schlesinger, 52, died unexpectedly from the virus. This is his glorious power pop band’s best, a killer blend of razor-sharp lyrics and hooks to die for.