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IN LATE 2019 , I sent Indiana University Southeast head men ’ s basketball coach Wiley Brown a text : “ How tall are you ?”
“ 6-feet-7 now ,” he replied with a laughing emoji . “ I was 6-feet-8 in my younger days .”
A few weeks later , the legendary baller climbed the narrow stairs to our second-story office , ducked his head to step inside , and seemed to fill the room as he posed for pictures against a backdrop stretched as tall as it could go , easily palming a basketball , ever-affable as we adjusted the lights to capture his towering physique clad in a sharp suit .
Wiley appeared on the cover of our February- March 2020 issue , our fifth anniversary edition — and the final issue of Extol . Until now .
Like you , we had no idea what lay ahead personally , professionally , locally , globally . We still don ’ t . But , we knew we had to make decisions and quickly .
First , we ceased the print publication of Extol . It was necessary to cut costs , but we also didn ’ t feel it was right to ask the hundreds of small businesses that carry our magazine to contend with our distribution while working so hard to stay afloat themselves . We also , and most importantly , wanted to minimize risk to anyone by avoiding direct contact .
Instead , we published smaller digital issues and content and turned our focus to assisting clients with social media management , website design , marketing , video production , and live-streaming online events .
As the weeks turned to months and finally more than a year from the date the world had seemed to both shutdown and erupt at the same time and life irrevocably changed for us all , we pivoted — and hard .
People had lost loved ones to COVID while others were — are — dealing with the long haul effects of the virus . Lives also were shattered by illness and death from other causes , too . Some shuttered businesses they ’ d spent years building . Others were cut from jobs that no longer existed . And stories of increased substance and alcohol use and abuse , depression , domestic violence , and despair filled the headlines of news outlets across the country along with near-hourly reports civil unrest , political divisiveness , and crime . Hopelessness hung in the air , blanketing even the most mundane and ordinary aspects of life . It still does .
But there were a lot of blessings , too . There still are .
Healthcare heroes , first responders , and essential workers stepped up in myriad ways and have never stopped . People pooled resources to help others in need . Schools and daycare centers worked to provide safety and structure to our youngest residents . Businesses reinvented the
Beginning Oct . 2 when we venture into television , you can watch This is SoIN , an Extol Media production , at 7:30 a . m . Saturdays on WBKI The CW , WDRB ’ s sister station .
ways in which they operate . Neighbors sought to spread joy within their own communities . Individuals quietly aided others without fanfare . Some of us even found this most challenging time as an opportunity to reevaluate what it means to exist and how we want to live .
The struggles are far from over , and some losses will never be regained . But despite what still often feels like an overwhelming pervasiveness of obstacles to overcome and waiting for the next
Truly ,
LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
hardship , there is much hope and many people responding to the call to reach beyond themselves .
That hope and the people , businesses and organizations who provide it to others will continue to be highlighted in this magazine as we ’ ve done since day one . We ’ ll also remain a publication committed to offering a bit of levity , Southern Indiana love , local tidbits , and features that make you think , smile , and — if even for a moment — take a respite and just enjoy .
In addition to publishing Extol Magazine every other month once again , we invite you to join us at 11 a . m . Fridays for Extol Live , a live-streaming show on our Facebook page and YouTube channel . There , you ’ ll also find Extol Everyday , a new daily video or photo feature spotlighting all things Southern Indiana . Twice a month , at 9 a . m . Tuesdays , we invite a local business to share what they offer on Treat Yourself Tuesday , another livestreaming show . And , beginning Oct . 2 when we venture into television , you can watch This is SoIN , an Extol Media production , at 7:30 a . m . Saturdays on WBKI The CW , WDRB ’ s sister station .
In June , we relocated our office to uptown New Albany on the corner of Market and Vincennes in a beautiful space , some of which we ’ re using to showcase the work of local artists and a giant kitchen that has already allowed us to spotlight a handful of SoIN chefs . We will use new location to host community and private events , nonprofit drives for items that will help those in need , and workshops covering a myriad of topics as soon as it ’ s safe to do so , too .
While Extol Magazine may have gone on hiatus , the Extol team has been here all along . But now , we ’ re back in new ways with new faces and features and familiar ones , too . We couldn ’ t be happier – or more hopeful .
Angie Fenton Publisher , President & CEO Extol Magazine & Media angie @ extolmag . com
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