“Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.”
MARY OLIVER
Writing this note in mid-December, I find myself thinking about time. When pulling out our Christmas décor from the basement a couple of weeks ago, a little time capsule that has been stored on a shelf down there took centre stage. The plastic box, its lid heavily duct-taped closed, is boldly marked: DO NOT OPEN UNTIL JANUARY 1, 2025. Joined by a dear friend and neighbour, now sadly passed away, my wife and I and our three young children celebrated the start of the new century together in 2000. We all penned something privately and tucked it into the box without sharing it. Hopes and dreams, perhaps, or thanks for our good fortune? Did we include drawings or photos? I don’t recall, but I’m eager to find out.
Something similar has happened for me with Lifestyle. I’ve completed a full year at the helm now, and I’m pleased to see those six bimonthly issues on the shelf. I believe each was a little better than the previous one, and our exceptional team is proud of them all. They’re a fine time capsule of what we’ve done. But our real excitement lays in presenting this next issue, the one in your hands. We’ve changed the binding, and we hope it enhances your reading experience. We’ve also redesigned our website to make it easier to share the quality work of our writers and photographers. A new strategy for our Instagram and Facebook platforms is coming into focus. Did our plans succeed, and what else will 2025 bring? I’m eager to find out.
We’re looking forward to distributing this issue at the London Wine and Food Show and the Lifestyle Home Show, both at the Western Fair Agriplex in January. Come by our booth, say hello, and enter our draw for a Bayfield Prize Package, with a kayak adventure augmenting a wonderful meal and exceptional accommodations at The Little Inn. Your feedback, including constructive criticism, is welcomed, but we’d also love to say thanks for being a Lifestyle reader, and may 2025 be the best year yet.
Cheers,
Chris McDonell
lifestyle.eatdrink@gmail.com