Photo by Renee L. Crockett
The Insite editorial staff gets almost giddy in anticipation as we prepare for the holiday issue a full month before all the merriment begins. We put together some fun stocking stuffer ideas, a few new recipes to try, fool-proof smartphone photo tips, and previews of festive events. You’ll also get to meet a real-live Santa, take a tour of Christmas Town, experience a Polish holiday tradition, visit the fictional town of Tuna, Texas, and more. This season, there’s a lot going on.
As always this time of year, we share stories about people who are busy giving back to the community. From honoring fallen soldiers by participating in Wreaths Across America, delivering Thanksgiving in the Brazos Valley dinners, and making sure children’s needs are met with toys, clothes, books, and beds, this big-hearted community truly understands what giving is all about. The page numbers to all those stories are to your left in the Table of Contents.
Let me let you in on a reporter’s secret: No matter how many details we pack into a story, there’s always more we could include. When we go on an assignment, we learn so much more than we could possibly share in words. The photos and graphics add to the narrative, but even then, they’re only impressions that’ll provide you with insight about the experience, but not the experience itself. As the saying goes, you can’t get there from here.
So if you want to feel the seasonal spirit, you can’t just read about it, but rather, you’ll need to be a part of it, and our pages are filled with ways you can do just that.
For example, if you really want to take better holiday photos, you can whip out your camera and practice.
If you want to find out how delicious porchetta is, you can learn how to make it and taste it for yourself.
If you want to see the festive outdoor lights, you only have to take a short drive.
And if you want to witness a mother’s relief when her child finally has their own bed and won’t have to sleep on the couch, air mattress, or floor — well, you can take our word for this:
It’s an experience you won’t soon forget.
To coincide with this issue, we’re starting up our launch parties again after more than a year’s hiatus, and we hope you’ll plan on coming! Our next party will be on Thursday, November 11 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at The Arts Council of Brazos Valley in South College Station. You’ll have the opportunity to meet the writers and get to know many of the people featured in this issue’s stories, including artist Jason Robichau whose stunning show, The Art of Sport, is currently on display at The Arts Council. Santa Claus and his wife will be there too! We’ll have lots of giveaways — and get ready to hear our big announcement about what we’ve got planned for after the first of the year! Please join us!
I look forward to meeting you!
Best,
Ellen Ritscher Sackett
Comments, questions, or suggestions? I’d love to hear from you. Reach out to me at editor@insitebrazosvalley.com.
