It’s hard to believe that we’re already celebrating one full year of Stroll Kimblewick. When I first launched this publication in September 2025, I had no idea just how special this community would become to my family and me. Looking back over the past twelve months, I’m filled with gratitude for every resident who welcomed me into their home, every business partner who believed in this publication to serve the residents here, and every story that has helped make Kimblewick feel a little smaller and a whole lot closer.

One of the things I’ve learned over the past year is that a private neighborhood magazine is about so much more than ink on paper. It’s about preserving memories, celebrating milestones, introducing neighbors who may have never met otherwise, and creating opportunities for friendships to grow. Looking through the pages from our first year brings back so many wonderful memories.

It all began with our very first issue featuring Mike and Denise Clark. Shortly after, we gathered together for our kickoff restaurant review event at Cobblestone in downtown Zionsville. Residents enjoyed great food, lively conversation, and the excitement of seeing our new publication come to life. Jean and Jim Selm went home with more than $100 in gift cards along with several to-go boxes of delicious food, making for a memorable evening and a wonderful way to introduce Stroll to the neighborhood.

The momentum continued into October when Security Federal Bank graciously hosted our first Wine Tasting event. Although the weather gave us a windy autumn evening, it certainly didn't dampen anyone's spirits. Residents sampled a wonderful selection of wines and enjoyed delicious charcuterie prepared by The Wine Guys from Grapevine Cottage in Zionsville. More importantly, neighbors spent time getting to know one another and learning about the vision behind Stroll Kimblewick. Looking back, I truly believe that evening was the spark that ignited the incredible community involvement we've experienced ever since.

As the holidays approached, we gathered once again for our Kimblewick Christmas Party at the Big Red Barn. Our first event at the barn included more than 75 residents and several of our advertising partners joined us for an evening filled with Rackz BBQ, live music, great conversations, and plenty of laughter. It was one of those evenings where you could simply look around the room and see friendships growing. Watching neighbors connect with one another while celebrating the Christmas season reminded me exactly why this publication exists.

February brought one of my favorite editions of the year, our special Love Letters issue. Eight couples generously shared their love stories, each one unique, heartfelt, and inspiring. During our "Apple of My Eye" event at Urban Apples in Westfield, nearly 60 residents gathered to celebrate together while we highlighted Lynne and Steve Lugo's beautiful story. Thanks to the generosity of Tom Roush Lincoln and Apicio restaurant, Lynne and Steve enjoyed a $200 dinner at Apicio Restaurant along with the opportunity to drive a Lincoln Aviator for the weekend. Sometimes life writes better stories than we ever could. Shortly afterward, Steve celebrated his retirement by purchasing a brand-new car from Tom Roush Lincoln. It was one of those moments where a neighborhood partnership came full circle.

As the year progressed, the publication continued to grow, and so did the friendships that surrounded it. Together we've shared stories of military service, lifelong marriages, remarkable careers, family traditions, volunteerism, travel adventures, treasured pets, local history, and so much more. Every interview has reminded me that everyone has a story worth telling. Some stories are extraordinary because of incredible accomplishments, while others are extraordinary simply because they reflect lives lived with kindness, perseverance, and love.

One event naturally led to another, and before long we began planning one of our biggest gatherings yet, Boots, Bites & Barn Nights. With more than 100 people RSVP'd to the Big Red Barn for an evening of line dancing, incredible barbecue prepared by Chef Kevin Black, live music, and plenty of cowboy hats and boots, it is set to become one of the highlights of the year. By the time you're reading this, you'll soon be able to enjoy a full recap of the event in our upcoming October issue, but I can already say it was a tremendous success, thanks to the social committee for planning it, and another reminder of what makes Kimblewick so special.

On a personal note, this year has also been life changing for my own family. My wife, Kelsey, and I welcomed our first child, our beautiful daughter, Estelle Joy. Becoming parents has been the greatest blessing we've ever experienced, and we've cherished every moment of watching her grow. Like so many of you, family is what brought us to Westfield, and there truly is no better place to raise a family. Seeing so many grandparents, parents, and lifelong friends here in Kimblewick has only reinforced how special this community really is.

As we begin our second year together, I want to sincerely thank each of you for welcoming me into your lives. Thank you to everyone who opened your home for an interview (or met me at Starbucks), attended an event, introduced me to a neighbor, shared a story, or simply stopped to say hello. Thank you to our advertising partners whose support makes this publication possible each month. Most of all, thank you for making Stroll Kimblewick feel like more than a magazine. You've made it feel like family.

I'm incredibly excited about what lies ahead. There are still so many stories to discover, neighbors to meet, and memories to create together. Here's to another year of celebrating the people who make Kimblewick such an extraordinary place to call home. I can't wait to see what this next chapter holds!