A time to look back, look ahead

It''s amazing how quickly the summer has flown by. For many of us at the magazine, the completion of this issue marked the end of summer as well as the beginning of publisher Fred Vallozzi and his long-time love Nadia’s life together as a newly married couple. It was really a much-anticipated event for many of us at the office.

As the year comes to a close I can’t help but reflect on both my business and my personal life. In many ways, the year has been fantastic, I’m grateful for my family and having had the opportunity to happily remarry. But it has also been sad in some ways. With the holidays approaching, I can’t help but think of my late mother Giovanna, who passed away just before Christmas last year. I miss both her and my father, especially during the holidays.

This is our last issue of the year and the theme came together by addressing family, health and the many ways we can enjoy the holidays without the stress that often comes with it. In our cover story about the Longo family, you will read how determination, dedication and love of family grew a family business from a small store to a chain of 23 stores. They are rich in history and continue to be a great example of what families can achieve when they work together.

As this time of year can become rather stressful, we offer some tips on how to entertain without the fuss, and how to cope during the holidays in Dr. Suzy Weidenfelder’ article ‘A Blue Christmas?’.

If it’s a retreat you’re looking for to get away in your own home, Glen Peloso offers some great tips on how to create the bedroom getaway.

The holidays wouldn’t be the same without food, so be sure to check out cheese platter ideas, compliments of Longo’s, as well as ideas on food gifts you can make yourself. And speaking of gifts, we offer an array of ideas in our holiday gift guide.

In our Community section we spotlight one of Vaughan’s own, Carlo Coppola. And last, but not least, check out our calendar of events for what might be going on in your neighbourhood, get out and enjoy the season!

In closing, I’d like to personally thank all of our advertisers for their continued support, as well as all our contributing writersfor making the magazine such a wonderful read. A big thank you also goes to the staff at Whatever Magazine who works hard to make this magazine a success.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with health and prosperity. Cheers!

Fred Vallozzi

Founder & Publisher
 

About the Publisher

Fred Vallozzi is the president of Whatever Publishing Inc., which has brought Whatever Magazine to every mailbox in the city since 2005.