It looks as though we may have the virus in retreat mode. COVID-19 seems to be running out of hosts as people get vaccinated, which is a good thing.This past year has been brutal on all of us. So many negative things occurred as a result of the pandemic and it seemed like it would never end. Now it looks as if there is a bright and upbeat outlook brewing as we begin to see signs of life returning to normal. I anticipate really good things ahead.
I recently booked a flight to print this very issue and was painfully reminded that I am old. You know you are getting old when registering for something online and you come to the scroll down menu to enter your year of birth. It seems to scroll forever. Yikes! Same thing with blow drying my hair. What used to take several minutes is now done in a matter of seconds. The aches and pains and the other things that go along with age are truly cruel as well. So, piling on with a pandemic to add misery to an already less than great scenario like getting old really is not fair. Such is life.
That said, I am grateful to have a good life and a great family and a trio of dogs and a few cats and a roof over my head. Many people are not so fortunate, and we see evidence of that on a daily basis.
As our community begins to transition back to a sense of normal, I hope we can all embrace our newfound freedoms and once again smile and soon mingle freely without masks. I also hope we can continue to support those in need and realize the serious issues we still have to face.
This edition of Carmel Magazine looks ahead to Car Week, West End and some of the cancelled events from last year. Let’s hope that nothing prevents us from moving ahead with these events planned for summer.
Many of you will remember when our cover subject, film star Kim Novak, lived here and was a part of this community. Having heard stories from locals for years, we have tried many times over the past 21 years to obtain an interview with her and finally succeeded. According to our writer, Michael Chatfield, who spoke at length with her, “she was probably the nicest celebrity I have ever interviewed.” Among other things, our story showcases some of her art and you will see she is quite the talented artist, as well as an animal lover and a superb actor.
The arts and art in general are a big part of how this community got started. I am sure you will enjoy the old photos from the Williams family showing a slice of early life here in Carmel, and that family’s early involvement in the Forest Theater and development of Carmel.
Speaking of art, we feature Winfield Gallery in this edition. Chris Winfield has been a staple in the local art community for years and his passion for art shows in everything he does.
Another featured artist in this issue is photographer Gary Lopez. Gary’s stunning photographs of space are truly something to behold.
Lastly, in a recent phone conversation with my amazing 92-year-old mom, I came up with an idea that she thought was great. Since I am not a writer, nor do I try and pass myself off as one, I thought that this publisher note space may better serve the readers as a guest editorial page. This new page will allow me to feature a different person and what’s on their mind each issue. If you have ideas on a person you would like us to feature, please send an email to steve@carmelmagazine.com. For editorial suggestions in general, I am your contact.
Thank you to our advertisers for your continued support. We know what a challenging year this has been and although we are not out of the woods yet, we seem to be making progress.
Here’s to a great summer!