DECEMBER 2021
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A Farewell from the Publisher ow do I say Good-bye to you,
the needs, the fundraisers and the successes and
our readers after 20 years? That
YOU, our readers, responded. You volunteered.
has weighed heavily on my mind
YOU made contributions.
YOU opened your
for some time. I guess it would be appropriate to
hearts and YOU made a difference every day.
mention how this all started.
YOU continue to. It is heartening to hear about the
It was in the fall of 2002; I was a sales man-
generosity that is poured out from YOU, our read-
ager at the North County Times in Fallbrook when
ers.
I hired a new person named Carol Martin. Many
It has been an honor to be a part of many
of you may have known her. At the time, it was
wonderful things that have happened over these
my goal to find a way into the nursery business
20 years. It has truly been a journey; one that I
but Carol changed the course of the future for my
would have never dreamed would happen when it
husband and I, when she told me that there was
began in 2003. My husband, Gino has been here
a community publication in Temecula for sale. As
all along and when we purchased the Temecula
soon as my husband heard that, he began re-
Map Guide in 2009, he officially joined the com-
searching the business and decided that it would
pany and has led that company to growth and suc-
be ‘perfect’ for me.
cess. He will continue with the Map Guide into
On January 11, 2003, we signed a purchase
2022 and beyond.
agreement with Annette and Carl Brown to be-
The supporters of this publication have
come the new owners of Neighbors Newspaper!
been the loyal advertisers who have made this
Both of us really believed that this would be a
all possible, Thank-you to the local, independent
‘nice little part-time’ business for me. With no pub-
businesses that have been there even through
lishing experience, no layout experience and no
economic downturns and the pandemic. So many
distribution experience, we were off. Fortunately,
of the business owners have become our friends.
Carl Brown was there to give us guidance and
I can’t say good-bye just yet without thanking
those first few months were terrifying.
the faithful workers behind the scenes at Neigh-
We had no idea how our lives would change over the next 20 years. We
bors. A BIG Thank-you to our distribution team, The Temecula Valley Elks Club.
did not know that serving the communities in Southwest Riverside County would
Every month through rain, snow and heat they faithfully delivered the papers to
be so exciting or fulfilling as we witnessed the monumental growth: the Prom-
over 700 locations. Well, maybe not snow? They are the reason that people say,
enade Mall arrived, Wine Country became an acclaimed wine region, develop-
“I see that paper everywhere”.
ers recognized opportunity, cities doubled and tripled in population and
Another BIG Thank-you to Dorina Blythe, Grandesigns for creating such a
companies moved into the area creating new local jobs. The Temecula Valley
beautiful publication month after month. We receive compliments from readers
became the fasted growing area in California!
frequently who appreciate the clear, concise and attractive presentation.
The former publisher of Neighbors, Annette Brown had a vision for this pub-
Thank-you to the many columnists that have informed, educated and enter-
lication. She believed that Neighbors could support local independent busi-
tained our readers in countless issues. An especially BIG Thank-you to Traci
nesses and local charitable organizations thereby helping communities and
Williams, a Loving Way for her inciteful columns on parenting. I am confident
families prosper. We agreed and worked to emulate her heart for the area
that her counsel has helped many families reconnect and thrive. Traci has been
through the years.
writing for Neighbors since we purchased it! I guess you can say, she was part
As a result of that vision, we have personally witnessed the creation of many non-profits and charitable organizations that have helped people and changed lives in every city in our little corner of Riverside County. Michelle’s Place has supported women’s health by coming along side so many afflicted with breast-cancer. Today, Michelle’s Place provides over 10,000 free services a year to individuals and families impacted by all types of cancers. Oak Grove Center, a nonprofit 24-hour residential and educational treatment center serving at-risk children and families has grown and expanded, as well. The Chef Open, as a part of the annual Golf Tournament fundraiser, brought in about 50 participants the first year. 19 years later, the Chef Open in 2021, served over 800 attendees! They also run a Culinary Arts program for the children in conjunction with the Culinary Connection in Old Town Temecula. By the way, the baked goods are delicious thanks to Chef Robin McCoy. I could go on and on with a list of the non-profits that have grown and served so many. Communities continue to come together to help each other in ways that continually amaze us. But the heroes in this story are the Neighbors’ readers. We published
of the package. For that we are grateful. And, Thank-you to the Word Search Editor, David Randolph. When David was 12 years old, he came to me and said, “There should be something for the kids in the paper.” I told him to make a suggestion and he created - Word Search: For Kids from a Kid. That was in 2008. Today, David is graduated from college, working in Los Angeles in the film industry and through all of that he has never missed an issue! The blessings have been many and we know that this publication has been sustained through the love and care of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. He has been there every step of the way guiding, directing and keeping us on course, especially during the past 2 years. He is our provider and our strength! Thankyou Lord. OK, the time has come! So, with tears in my eyes, I say Good-Bye, Farewell as we complete this last issue! It is time for me to get back to my gardening! 😊 “If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello. ~Paulo Coelho
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Gino and Diane Simones
