Blue Ridge Country July/August 2023 - 8

FROM THE EDITOR
18. Joe Tennis (May/June '97). Specializing
in trains and spooky stuff but always covering
whatever's needed, has been proud-as
have we-for contributing to every issue for
decades. Became a contributing editor in 2012
and continues the career he began in 1993 at
the Bristol Herald Courier.
19. Suzi Findley (Jan/Feb '98) handled
the nuts and bolts-and lost copies and Post Office
snafus and subscriber complaints and back
issue finds-of the magazine's circulation and
subscriptions department for 25 years marked
by unfailing customer service until . . . well, she
retires after this issue.
20. Denise Koff (Jan/Feb '98) began her
time at Leisure as circulation director and grew
into a lead role with the company as vice president
of client services over the last dozen or so
years of a career as distinguished, productive, insightful
and dedicated as any in the company's
history aside from its founder. She retired in
April of this year with the bittersweet best wishes
of all who enjoyed and benefitted from her gentle
and innately inspired and brilliant leadership.
21. Nancy Henderson (March/April '98)
began the " Creature Feature " department in
that issue and continues to contribute it these
25 years later. She's the author of two books
and has had her writing featured in periodicals
ranging from American Profile to Womans Day.
She lives in Chattanooga.
22. Cara Ellen Modisett (Sept/Oct '98).
Cara joined us as The Best Intern There Could
Ever Be for that issue, became the magazine's
advertising coordinator with the next issue
and within a year was the associate editor. She
served as managing editor from '05 to '10 and
during that time not only sustained the usual
content but also infused a dose of celebrity into
the magazine, bringing the likes of Ken Burns,
Kathy Mattea and Dolly Parton to our pages.
Since she left Leisure in 2010 she has been a
radio host, professional musician and college
instructor, and is now a priest in the Episcopal
Church in Staunton, Virginia.
THE THREE-LEGGED STOOL
Quick story. As vice president of client services, it has been
my great honor to train and mentor our incredible staff.
Each one can recite the analogy of a successful magazine's
resemblance to a three-legged stool. Award-caliber editorial/
design, strong advertising sales and devoted subscribers are
critical for success. If one leg falls short . . . well, you know
what happens.
With Kurt Rheinheimer at the helm as editor-in-chief since
Blue Ridge Country's inception, his exploration of the culture,
history, people and places of the mountains through words
and images has become Blue Ridge Country's hallmark.
Kurt's innate vision, vast editorial expertise and deep love of
our coverage area has made him the singularly most important
reason for the magazine's longevity. Thank you, Kurt for
all you do. As I retire, I will truly miss our collaborations.
And thank you also to all the advertising partners we have
had over the years. Your continued and expanding support is
a large reason for our growth. Just yesterday at the doctor's
office (jeez, is that my new normal?), the nurse raved about
Blue Ridge Country and all the places she and her husband
have visited after learning about them in the magazine. Your
advertising messages resonate with our audience, always
providing new information and fun places to explore.
Our readers. The third leg of the stool. From market
research we know you are smart, with a deep love of history,
intellectually curiosity and always up for a scenic drive!
Obviously without you, Blue Ridge Country would not exist. I
thank you for continuing to be a part of our community. And
I look forward to being wowed and surprised as upcoming
issues land in my mailbox at home. My hope is that you feel
the same and continue to support Blue Ridge Country.
-DENISE KOFF
8 BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
23. William Alexander (Sept/Oct '99)
served as art director and company clown (the
perfect foil for the eminent and deeply conscientious
Cara Modisett) for five years until 2004
when he moved to a college teaching position
and then to founding Williamalexander.co,
which focuses on web design and overall development
for small businesses. The one-time
confirmed-as-could-be bachelor lives with his
wife and two children in Roanoke County.
24. Gwen Clarke (Jan/Feb '00). That issue
was the beginning of the annual almanac-
a collection of delightful recipes, tidbits, trivia,
weather and much more. Still lives in Stuart,
Virginia, from where she rejoiced with us when
what we thought might be impossible occurred:
The similarly quirky-minded Ginny Neil agreed
to take over the fun and fancy of the almanac.
25. Kim Green (March/April '00). Her
sales career at the company saw contributions to
Blue Ridge Country, and even more significantly
to sister magazines, The Roanoker and Mountain
Homes, where she established sales records
that have not since been approached. She is the
owner-operator since 2012 of Estate Liquidation
Innovations in Knoxville, Tennessee.
26. J. Scott Graham (May/June '01).
He has spent decades photographing the Blue
Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains
National Park and undertook a book on the
parkway with Elizabeth Hunter in 2006. His
first Blue Ridge Country cover was the Linn
Cove Viaduct in Sept/Oct '02. Continues to
provide great images; see last issue for parkway
photo essay shots.
http://www.Williamalexander.com http://www.BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
Blue Ridge Country July/August 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country July/August 2023
