The Publisher’s Perspective-December 2022

December is one of my favorite months – so many new memories to make with family and friends! I don’t think any of us take holiday “get togethers” for granted any more.

Getting to December, however, was another story. I cannot tell a lie – this issue of LKN was difficult, but was it worth it? Heck yeah! I couldn’t be happier about ending 2022 with this fabulous finale! Let us know what you think and please follow us on social media @lknmagazine. If you’ve missed an issue, check out our past issues online at lkn-magazine.com. You can also sign up for out monthly email newsletter to stay on top of the people, places, events and issues we cover.

What’s New?

First up, we have some new partners (and more in the works)! A BIG welcome to our new collaborators and new members of the LKN dream team. I’m happy to introduce Kate Shaw, our brand-new graphic designer. No doubt you will see her ‘stamp’ on this issue, but we are just getting warmed up and our team couldn’t be more excited! We’d also like to introduce Robin Shupe, our editorial director and go-to for so much more. Check out more details on both amazing ladies on our ‘View from the Lake’ on page 46).

Getting Around

As most of my friends and family know, I am directionally challenged (I can’t imagine a time before Google Maps). But I’ve really started to learn more about this area and its footprint – such a beautiful and growing community. I have really grown to adore the towns of Newton and Conover. And then on the other side of lake… Davidson, Cornelius and Huntersville are few more of my favorite places! Previously, everything seemed so far away, and now I see that many of these lovely locales are just a hop, skip and a jump from each other. Our readers and advertising partners repeatedly tell us they are happy to head to a new favorite restaurant, a fabulous boutique, or whatever they’ve discovered while shopping and attending events in our community. And we are honored to be a resource for our readers to find out about local events and local businesses! Speaking of… if you have an event coming up, please let us know. You can submit on our website and it’s free! Check out our current calendar of events on pages 76 – 81, don’t forget to check out our online events at lkn-magazine.com for those events that weren’t submitted in time for our December issue. So much to do over the holidays!

Shop Local!

Did you know that for every $100 spent at a small business, $48 is put directly back into the local economy? Some stats claim even higher than that! On the contrary, when you shop online at a national chain, less than $1 of that $100 goes back to the local economy. So, whether you need that perfect holiday party outfit or something for those that are hard-to-buy-for, please show our community some love and SHOP LOCAL! Need some ideas or inspiration? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide on pages 32 – 41!

Happy Reading,

Keela

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Keela Johnson

Hello! I’m Keela Johnson, the founder and publisher of Forsyth Magazines, a family of three publications that began in 2005 in Forsyth County, NC. After living in Clemmons for 30 years, I "retired" to Lake Norman and discovered a vibrant, active community filled with friendly people and new hobbies like paddle boarding, walking, and gardening. But with publishing in my blood, I quickly recognized an exciting opportunity to engage further with the wonderful Lake Norman community. Now, as the publisher of LKN Magazine, I’m thrilled to be part of a growing platform that celebrates the Lake Norman area. My daughter, Brooke Eagle, now co-owner and publisher, has been instrumental in helping take our family of magazines to new heights, and together, we’re continuing to share stories and promote local businesses in meaningful ways. At the heart of everything we do is the belief in the power of community. We’re passionate about creating a platform where local businesses can grow organically and meaningfully, and we’re excited to bring that same vision to the Lake Norman market. LKN Magazine proudly serves Catawba, Iredell, Lincoln, and Mecklenburg counties, from Statesville to North Charlotte. In addition to print and online advertising, LKN Magazine offers a comprehensive range of services to help tell your story—including editorial features, social media promotion, and a monthly newsletter. You can subscribe to our newsletter at lkn-magazine.com to stay connected with all that’s happening around the Lake Norman community. We’re so grateful to be part of such dynamic communities in Forsyth and Lake Norman, and I’m honored to continue this journey with you. Let’s keep sharing stories, supporting local businesses, and building something meaningful together. Here’s to many more years of growth, connection, and celebration!

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