From the Editor

The day before this issue of Newburyport Magazine is due at the printers, I head out for a morning ride to clear my head.

For the past several weeks, I've been looking over photos of blooming gardens and colorful spring fashions that are featured in this issue. But on this late-February day, I'm hard-pressed to find any signs of spring.

I drive by Ould Newbury Golf Club where the greens are still frozen and covered with snow. I try to imagine golfers out on the course swinging their clubs. I pass Newbury Perennial Gardens and yearn to take a walk through its landscaped displays.

I head over to Route 113 and into West Newbury, past the now-quiet Long Hill Orchard. I picture myself ordering a black raspberry ice cream cone at Scoops, the stand at the farm that will open for the season in early April.

The sun warms the inside of my cold car as I head back into Newburyport. I'm not ready to face the office just yet. I drive over to Newburyport Turnpike and point the car in the direction of Plum Island. I know there's a lot to love about our barrier island in the winter - the peacefulness and tranquility and all. But I'm a warm-weather girl. Beach and winter go together about as well as flip-flops in the snow.

I haven't been out to Plum Island since a visit to Parker River National Wildlife Refuge late last fall. There was one lunch at Mad Martha's not long after that, but nothing since. I decide to drive out to the range light at the Newburyport tip.

I try to ignore the whipping wind and the Christmas decorations still seen on the occasional front door. Up ahead, there's a dog with his head hanging out of a truck window. As I reach the beach, I spot a few hardy souls out for a walk and a couple of dogs that had decided to take a splash in the icy surf.

The sky is blue, almost as blue as the water. The sun, unmistakably higher, is brightly shining, and it's obvious the snow is receding. I dream of cute kitten-heeled sandals and a flirty sundress. And I know spring is right around the corner.

Most of us realize we live in our corner of the world because we couldn't imagine life without the seasons. And when they're as taxing as this past winter, it only makes us appreciate the next season even more.

This issue of Newburyport Magazine should get us all excited for spring and heading outdoors. We visit some historic gardens, where the owners are passionate about preserving the landscape that was cultivated by earlier generations. We get a glimpse of some stylish spring fashions. We go antique shopping and traipse through a centuries-old farm and manor house in Newbury.

When we launched Newburyport Magazine last year, our main hope was to illustrate all the reasons so many of us are proud to live, work and play in the Newburys. And, from the response we've received, we believe we have succeeded.

But it's also nice to have others recognize the beauty of our region and its portrayal in these pages. Newburyport Magazine was recently honored with two major awards - first place for Best Niche Publication of 2008 from both the New England Press Association and the New England Newspaper Advertising Executives Association.

Please continue to let me know what you think about Newburyport Magazine and what you'd like to see in future issues. Until then, enjoy. And I'll see you outside.

Sonya Vartabedian
Editor-in-Chief Newburyport Magazine