- Local News for Southern Sailors - June 2002 Next Story
"Parting is such sweet sorrow"
...no, that's not it. "Life's a bitch, then you die." No, that's not it. "I could make more money flippin' burgers at MacDonald's." Well, maybe, but that's not the right message either. "Life is what happens when you're busy making plans." Those words of John Lennon (and to some extent, the phrases preceding his) may best describe where my life has wandered since I launched Southwinds in September of 1993.
There are probably some Jimmy Buffett songs to sum up the past nine years, and the coming years..."A Publisher looks at 56?" What I'm saying here is that I've made one of those big changes in my life without knowing where it's going next.
After 103 issues under my tyrannical rule, Southwinds has a new owner. Before my loyal friends cringe and my die-hard adversaries celebrate, let me assure all of you that I will continue to be a large part of Southwinds in the coming years. As contributing editor, I intend to continue covering regattas big and small.
And I will continue to keep our readers up to date on what's happening in Cuba and in the U.S. regarding our right to travel to Cuba. FACT: Nothing has changed, neither in the U.S. laws nor the enforcement, regarding sailors going to Cuba. If you read through George W's chest-pounding fundraising in Miami, you'll see that nothing has really changed. And if you want to see how to deal with traveling to Cuba, see www.cubalinda.com and search for their information for Americans.
Southwinds owner Steve Morrell is a sailor who has the same level of publishing experience as I did when the first issue came out...but that didn't stop me, and it won't dampen his ambitious plan to expand the coverage and expand the value for the advertisers.
Since I have a little less hair on top than in 1993, it's time for me to change hats anyway...the new one still says Southwinds, it's just a different fit.
Doran Cushing |
As the new owner, publisher, and editor of Southwinds Magazine,
I look forward to contributing to the future success of a publication which I have been enthusiastically reading for many years.
As new owner, I would like to tell the readers a little about myself. I began my sailing days in Newport Beach, CA, in the early 1960s and from there continued it with day sailing on San Francisco Bay while a student at the University of California. I eventually sailed around South Florida and the Bahamas after moving to Florida in the 1980s and continued to sail there, and then later sailed in San Diego and Southern California.
In between all that I enjoyed many days as a dedicated windsurfer and most recently have been sailing and racing my Ericson 38 in Charleston, South Carolina. That boat is now currently in the Tampa Bay area, and I look forward to many days on the water there and along the beautiful west coast of Florida.
I have always read Southwinds and when the opportunity to purchase it came up, I enthusiastically pursued it. Meeting and dealing with Doran Cushing has been a pleasure, and I am hoping that he will continue to contribute to the magazine in the years to come. He has agreed to assist in the transition to my stewardship of the magazine. I hope that I will be able to contribute as much as he has to the Southern sailing community.
One of the things I have enjoyed most about all magazines and particularly sailing and boating publications is reading about the opinions and experiences of fellow boaters in the letters to the editor sections. They are the very lifelines of the boating and sailing community, and I am inviting all readers to contribute to this department. In an effort to hear more from the readers of Southwinds, we have established a new toll-free FAX line (866-373-9463) to make this easier for people to share their ideas and experiences. Of course, one may also do so by e-mail to editor@southwindssailing.com, or by sending mail to PO Box 1175, Holmes Beach, FL 34218-1175.
I look forward to a successful and enjoyable future with Southwinds.
Steve Morrell |
ps - What are you doing about hurricane season? What are you planning to do with your boat when under a storm warning or storm watch...move it, dry dock it, add extra lines, or something else? Southwinds invites our readers to write in with their plans and ideas on how they are planning to protect their boats under impending storm conditions. Southwinds now has a toll-free FAX number (866) 373-9463 for letters to the editor, or e-mail editor@southwindssailing.com, or mail to PO Box 1175 Holmes Beach, FL 34218-1175.