Publisher Letter June 25

A familiar energy is in the air, the joyful shift as the Midwest eases into summer. After months of gray skies, wind chills, heavy coats and false springs, we’re stepping into an exciting new season of longer days, warmer mornings and lingering evenings. We’re back at farmers markets and neighborhood festivals, gathering with friends on patios and at outdoor concerts, working in the garden, biking by the lake and rolling down the proverbial windows to let the sunshine in. June and the summer ahead invite us to be fully present in our communities and within ourselves.

This time of year always brings me back to those final weeks of school, when summer vacation hovered just around the corner. I remember sitting in unairconditioned high school classrooms with windows open to a blooming courtyard, the scents of late spring drifting in during end-of-year lectures and final exams. The anticipation grew daily. Then came the final week, the final class, the final locker clean-out… and summer! Even now, I feel that same anticipation around Memorial Day, like the opening notes of a favorite song. Summer to me is a return to something essential, a time to renew, recharge and reconnect.

This month, while we’re focused on men’s health it’s a theme that reaches beyond demographics. Our wellness topics—including nutrition, longevity, skincare, emotional health, community support and inner strength in nature—may resonate with nearly everyone navigating the pace and pressures of everyday routines. Living in wellness isn’t a fixed destination; it’s a daily practice that evolves over time. The more we understand our own needs and responses, the more empowered we can become to support ourselves, our families and our communities—and to live a life that feels more joyful and connected. Self-awareness also helps us adapt and adjust along the way; what didn’t resonate yesterday might feel surprisingly helpful today.

From writer Carrie Jackson’s insights in “Expanding Our Healthspan” to Carl Greer’s reflections on the inner journey, Marlaina Donato’s look at “Healing the Split From Nature” and Dan Bulf's journey of realization and healing that the hole in his soul was in the shape of his father, we focus this month on conversations about health, well-living and self-care. You’ll also find tips on how skincare is health care, inspiration for crafting your own protein bars to fuel summer workouts and guidance to help you start a pollinator-friendly backyard with native plants. And throughout these pages, we spotlight local entrepreneurs and businesses that have a deep passion for supporting our community.

Once again, I encourage you to step outdoors every day and take in the unfolding of a fresh season. The summer solstice arrives this month, bringing the longest day of the year. Consider this your permission slip to stay outside well past the time the streetlights come on, waiting for the moment of nightfall when twilight gives way to true night. Observe the full moon, watch for fireflies or whistle back to the robins on a balmy June evening. Or wake really early to catch the pre-sunrise light of a solstice-season dawn, with coffee in hand, while the birds sing their morning chorus to welcome a brand-new day.

Wishing you a safe and joyful June, a bright solstice and a Happy Father's Day!