Let ter f ro m t h e Ed i to r
A Note from Morgan Reflecting On a Redesign Have you ever looked at something you’ve written so many times that even a simple word, like “that,” or in our case “Avenue,” starts to look misspelled, clunky and begins to lose all meaning? We’ve been at work on this particular issue since at least March, when our fearless leader Todd Matherne suggested that a) it had been far too long since this magazine had a refresh and b) now, during a pandemic when there just weren’t as many nonprofit events to cover, would be the perfect time. The first step was probably the hardest: Why are we here? We weren’t talking about the existential meaning of life but rather, why does this magazine exist? What purpose does it serve? Whom does it serve? (If you’re interested in that answer, be sure to read our 25th anniversary feature!) Once we were in agreement on that, then we could move on to what content we wanted to include, who would write it, who would take the photos, how we wanted it to look, what fonts, what colors, how thin or think should the vertical lines be in the logo, etc., etc., etc. What you're holding in your hands or looking at on a screen is the culmination of thousands of hours of work, sleepless nights, seemingly endless debates and a renewed passion to continue to do what we do best with an updated, classic and clean look. I want to profusely thank our Art Director Ali Sullivan for being a passionate, considerate, kind and understanding friend and coworker whose talents can be seen in every inch of this publication. I also want to thank the writers and photographers who are part of this historic issue. Some of you have taken on new roles and some of you are returning old friends; thank you for your trust and your talents. Bev and I would also like to thank the staff of Renaissance Publishing, particularly Todd Matherne, Errol Laborde and Kate Henry for their work, their guidance and their trust.
And we want to thank you! Thank you for reading this magazine, caring about its content and, even more so, caring about the nonprofits that work every day to make our city a better place to live. You’ll see even familiar things, like our Philanthropic Events and Snapshots sections, have an updated look, as well as totally new columns, such as Philanthropic Faces, Design, How to Host and What to Wear. You’ll see returning faces, like Sue Strachan and Diane Sustendal, as well as new ones, like Stephen Maloney and Melissa Coleman. And while Ali, Bev and I are still here, we have some new Account Executives whom I hope you welcome into your stores and companies as warmly as you do us. Along with all of that, we also have our 25th anniversary feature and our quarterly Registry of Charitable Events: September-December 2021, which features more than 70 nonprofit fundraisers! Now I’m going to take a deep breath before we send this to the printer (and maybe even a nap)! I can’t wait to hear your reactions to the “new Avenue;” I hope you love it as much as I do! Morgan Packard Griffith
8 ST. CHARLES AVENUE SEPTEMBER 2021
