LOCALadk Magazine

Rhiannon Happy summer, Editor LOCALadk 7 A M E S S A G E F R O M R H I A N N O N LOCALadk Dear readers, Spoiler: We need your help. The Adirondacks never lack for beauty. From rugged peaks to quiet ponds, ever y inch of this region seems to hold a mas- terpiece — if we simply take the time to look. But in my ex- perience, only three things here consistently make ever yone stop in their tracks and collectively look up in awe: a stunning sunrise, a breathtaking sunset, and a rainbow — which is al- ways both stunning and breathtaking. There's something about a rainbow that feels like more than just a weather phenomenon. It's a quiet spectacle, one that has captured human attention for millennia. The first known artistic suggestion of a rainbow dates back over 5,000 years ago, painted on the walls of caves in the Al- gerian Tassili n'Ajjer mountains. Aristotle wrote about the rainbow's visual myster y in 340 BCE, laying the groundwork for later scientists such as Roger Bacon and Isaac Newton to explore its geometr y and light distribution. Beyond its aes- thetic and scientific relevance, the rainbow has represented promise and prosperity, diversity and inclusion, allyship and solidarity, hope and renewal. All of this from the simple refraction, reflection, and dis- persion of light through water droplets — different wave- lengths working together to reveal something quite aston- ishing. That quiet collaboration — simple elements joining to make something powerful — feels like an apt metaphor as our LOC ALadk team faces its own moment of reflection and clarity. After thirteen years of creating this free magazine and de- livering it to readers across the Adirondacks, we've come to a challenging crossroads. And our solution, like the rainbow, lies in simplicity and community. Since day one, LOC ALadk has been 100% funded by local businesses. Their advertising support has paid for ever y- thing: the writing, photography, design, printing, and distri- bution. Their generosity has allowed us to put this magazine into your hands without asking a cent from readers. But now, like so many others, these businesses are facing budget cuts, rising costs, and financial uncertainty. And when they strug- gle, so do we. We've run the numbers, and the core values of LOC ALadk— being free, quarterly, printed on high-quality paper, and cre- ated by local people — are becoming increasingly difficult to sustain. The costs of paper, printing, and postage continue to rise, and the financial gap continues to grow. So what do we do? We could raise advertising prices for our already struggling advertisers. We could begin charging readers. We could cut the number of issues each year. We could stop printing altogether and go fully digital. But all of these options abandon the principles inherent to what makes LOC ALadk the unique publication that it has always been. This left us with the only solution we are willing to take: we are going to lead with honesty, community, and simplicity. We are asking for help. To local businesses: If you've ever considered advertising in LOC ALadk, now is the time. Your partnership doesn't just promote your business; it helps keep a beloved community publication alive. Please email me directly at rhiannon@loca- ladk.com if you're interested in exploring options. To our readers: For the first time ever, we're asking you to consider contributing directly to the magazine. Just as a rain- bow is built from countless individual light waves, we believe small contributions from many readers can come together to make a real difference. Even $1 from each reader would carr y us across the immediate finish line. Our businesses have sup- ported us for years, but they can't do it alone. At least not right now. We are asking for those who love this region, and this magazine, to help us keep it going. Please note: While we're grateful for any support, LOC A- Ladk is not a nonprofit, so contributions are not tax deduct- ible. Here is how you can directly contribute: • Option 1: Scan our QR code below • Option 2: visit our GoFundMe fundraiser website: www.GoFundMe.com/f/support-localadk-magazine • Option 3: send a check to LOC ALadk Magazine, 339 Mill Pond Drive, Lake Placid, NY 12946. All checks can be made payable to LOC ALadk Magazine. Thank you for reading. Thank you for being part of this journey. And thank you — truly — for your support. It has been an honor to bring our magazine to you, and we hope to continue celebrating the people, stories, and beauty of the Adirondacks for many years to come. adk

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