Letter from the Editor Once a year, I stand up in front of my networking group, the St. Thomas Executive Association, and give a presentation about who I am and what I do. On the surface, it’s a simple enough task. I talk about what’s new with Hometown St. Thomas, Port Stan- ley Villager, Boomers and Beyond, Real Living , and the various Villager publications. It’s part update, part reminder, and part, ‘For those of you who are new, hello: this is me’. But inevitably, the same question comes up. Sometimes politely. Sometimes with genuine concern. Occasionally, with a tone that suggests I might be clinging to a rotary phone and a fax machine. ‘Isn’t print media dead?’ The short answer is: not exactly. The longer answer is that while print media as a whole is certainly struggling, local print media still has a pulse and can be incredibly impactful in smaller communities. If I lived in Toronto, I could Google what’s happening and find endless event listings, blogs, and social media accounts. But when it comes to places like St. Thomas or Port Stanley, or neighbourhoods in London such as Wortley, Lambeth, Byron, etc., those resources aren’t always easy to find and are often subject to opinion. That’s where community magazines come in.
Every month, I’m reminded why I keep doing this: a reader sends an email; someone stops me at an event – the grocery store, or the farmers’ market. They tell me what the magazines mean to them. Not just because we list upcoming events or highlight new businesses, though those matter, but because we tell stories. Stories about their neighbours. Their organizations. Their history. Some are light and silly. Some are more serious. All of them matter. And this isn’t me patting myself on the back. Anyone who knows me knows I’m not big on self-promotion. If I didn’t have to put my photo on this page, I probably wouldn’t. What I am passionate about is local storytelling and, in a way, local history. Because once print media eventually says its final goodbye, those stories become much harder to find. I’ve often joked that I’m a big St. Thomas cheerleader. And it’s true. I’m here to promote the city, the people, and the good things happening around us. Is St. Thomas perfect? Of course not. But it’s an amazing place to live, and one we sometimes underestimate. When I moved here in 2006, many people couldn’t wait to leave. Now, people are choosing to come here, and that says something. Print media may be a facing significant transformation, but while I’m here and able to do it, I’ll keep telling local stories. And I’ll happily keep doing it for as long as you’re happy to keep reading them.
Your Local Choice. Rooted in your Community Since 1881.
Now Proudly Serving...
Proudly serving the area since 2003
(519) 631-0333 24 First Ave., Unit #6, St. Thomas www.thewinemakersofelgin.com
Nothing says Easter like Fresh Spring Flowers Hop in, or let us deliver a beautiful, bright Easter arrangement. 175 Sunset Drive St. Thomas’ local florist since 1995 Fellows Fernlea Flowers
www.fellowfernleaflowers.com (519) 631-3600
Page 2 Hometown St. Thomas • March 2026
To advertise here contact Geoff@VillagerPublications.com
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs