Up Front

I am so excited and encouraged by the incredible action in the real estate market in 2020. We have captured a snapshot of the pandemic-induced, refuge-seeking home sales in our annual real estate issue. We are blessed to live in an area that is so attractive and so pristine that people are flocking here from all over the nation and world. 

I have said for many years that the entire economy here is funded by the real estate market. It is the greatest example of shopping local. The realty firms and brokers that earn their commissions distribute funds directly back into the hands of every small business their paths cross, whether hairdressers, car dealers, shoe and gift shops, eateries and yes, magazines like us. If we don’t support our small businesses, they will go away and our only option will be big box retailers and the Internet. We can’t let that happen.

That leads me to the article about gifts from the heart created by local craftsmen and the feature on small area farmers. Supporting all types of industry helps keep our friends and neighbors working during these challenging times.

The world desperately needs more love. Help us show love this February by supporting local businesses.

Celebrating our readers with LOVE.

Pat Bradford

Editor/Publisher