EDITOR’S
LETTER
There are those who
desperately want this year
to end, and others who
have found it to be wonderful ...
which one are you?
What a long, strange trip 2017 has been. With so much drama going on in Washington, with potential nuclear
wars to be fought and everyone in the spotlight for mistreatment of the opposite sex and the opposite political
party most people barely know how to treat each other any more on the street in small-town USA. Here on
the island it’s not as bad as all that, but a feeling like we’re a half-step off from normal does linger in the air.
When this happens - and no, this isn’t the first time within the human condition that this type of aggravation
has run so rampant - sometimes it’s best to withdraw and regroup. Take stock of your personal goals, and
figure out what you can do to change yourself before you try to make a change to the world around you. In
other words, BE the change you want to see. It’s a cliche, but it works.
From treating your body just a little bit better to finding a new passion within yourself, make it your goal to
worry less about what your neighbor is doing and thinking and focus more on what you are doing and thinking.
This issue has some great tips and inspiration for you to find something new within yourself. Whether it’s Sally
Libonati’s long, long runs, Emerson Wickwire’s Florentine boxes or the thought of actually eating healthier and
enjoying it, making positive change within your world will,
in fact, make our whole world a little better.
Another way to make your mark in a positive way at
the beginning of 2018 is to focus on the needs of others.
Buy yourself, a friend, maybe many friends some tickets
to the Taste of Boca, which will be held this February at
the Pass Club and will benefit the Harry Chapin Food
Bank. Stop by The Island School’s chowder dinner and
make a donation there if you can. Buy locally at our island
shops, at Boca Bargains and at our Farmer’s Market to
make a positive, direct impact on your community.
Enough preaching. The bottom line is if you’re not too
happy about how 2017 played out, take it upon yourself
to make 2018 better ... even if it’s just within your own
household.
Take care of yourselves, take care of each other, and
let’s take care of some business in this new year!
Marcy Shortuse
Editor-in-Chief
10 GASPARILLA ISLAND January/February 2018