Welcome to the October issue of Stroll Historic Brookhaven! This issue marks our fifth anniversary as a free, four-color features magazine dedicated to the residents of Historic Brookhaven.

 

Launching during the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t easy. Many businesses had limitations, individuals had to mask, and travel to many parts of the world was still restricted. The first vaccine was not even available.

 

Yet our publisher Cynthia Carns had a vision for the publication. She had been working for months, and persevered in launching. She lined up sponsors, writers, and guest columnists for that first issue. I joined the publication three months later for the January 2021 issue. Five years later, we are going strong.

 

A lot of our success is due to you, our neighbors and residents of Historic Brookhaven. You have shared your stories, photos, and news, and allowed us to feature you in the magazine. Many of you are also sponsors, which we greatly appreciate.

 

I began my journalism career as an international financial and business writer and developed a thick skin. In today’s terms, you could say I got used to being ghosted but never gave up. Writing about Historic Brookhaven is almost the exact opposite of that experience. I love hearing your tales, meeting you on the street or in the store, getting to pet your pups, having you answer my emails and phone calls.

 

Many of you tell me that Stroll has created a stronger community in Historic Brookhaven. As someone who became an empty nester about the same time that I joined Stroll, being with the magazine has once again grounded me to the neighborhood and expanded my community. Thank you!

 

We hope you enjoy this anniversary issue. It takes you back in time, first on a timeline and second by magazine department. We visit two issues from each of the years we have been in print. It’s hard to pick the highlights from 60 issues! Then we break down each section and look at the past five years under that scope.

 

Along with our anniversary features, we’ve included some upcoming events and coverage of the recent RPM911 5k race. Although short, it was one of the hilliest races I have ever run. Kudos to the Means family and race team for the great tribute to our military heroes – and for the party bus transportation to the start line.

 

This issue does not have our regular non-profit focus. We just didn’t have room. Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, I want to remind all women to make sure they get a regular mammogram. I am a recent breast cancer survivor. My annual mammogram detected the cancer. Did you know that one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime? Only between five and 10 percent of those have a family history. Men can get it, too. About 1 percent of all breast cancer cases diagnosed are in men. Get screened!!!!!

 

As always, I’d love to hear from you – whether it’s about this issue, an upcoming event, your pet, new business, child’s accomplishment, travels, or volunteer endeavors. Send me a message at lgwargo@aol.com.

 

Lastly, thank you Cynthia for bringing me on board. I took several years off to raise children and had only returned to writing for a few months when we met. It has been a true pleasure to work with you and build Stroll Historic Brookhaven, as well as get to know you as a dear friend. 

Here’s to at least five more years!

Best,
Lisa Wargo