Health & Wellness: thrust for the 21st century

Exclusive to MapleLine Magazine: Feb.3, 2010

The MapleLine Magazine office is at 6707 West Coast Road, Sooke >>

by Mary P. Brooke, B.Sc., Cert PR

"HEALTH IN ALL WAYS, THE FOCUS OF THIS NEW DECADE."

"New beginnings. Society is beginning to recognize the value of incorporating health of the person and security of the family as the cornerstones of community well-being. To help achieve this, we need strong business and a vibrant community." ~ Mary P. Brooke

The transition through winter into spring produces quiet adjustments with big impact. In Sooke we see such evidence. In December our local Chamber of Commerce changed the keyword in its name from ‘harbour’ to ‘region’, heralding a new west shore economic vantage point as the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce. The Sooke Community Development Association (contractors, developers, Realtors, lenders, etc.) had their first meeting in January. Expanded horizons are possible through the recent arrival of Transition Towns, an international movement headed locally by Margaret Critchlow, John Boquist and Andrew Moore; they aim to highlight the stark global reality of ‘peak oil’ (we’re running out, folks).

The Winter-Spring 2010 issue of MapleLine focuses on health and wellness in its broadest sense -– the well-being of body, person, family, and community. We have new contributors from various sectors, that being only one indication of the far-reaching scope of health awareness, as well as the confidence people have in MapleLine to deliver key concepts in interesting ways. Guest editorials cover a range of community interests; thanks to Evan Parliament, Todd Olynyk, Frederique Phillip and Kathryn Kusyszyn this issue for exploring various aspects of Sooke’s growth and well-being.

From within the MapleLine Journalism Program (MJP) articles are filling the news and backgrounder pages at www.maplelinemagazine.com/enews.htm from writers Karen Laharty, Kim Restall, Samantha MacLean and Mackenzie Fisher, allowing our online news service to grow like gangbusters. Thank you to these MJP program guest speakers to date: Pirjo Raits, editor, Sooke News Mirror; Dr. Keith Martin, MP, Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca (who sent his detailed notes despite having the flu); and Dela Wilkins, nurse and life coach. We are immensely pleased to welcome Sooke Harbour House as our newest MJP sponsor.

Today’s readers also like online news. Our breaking news and bi-weekly enews (filling the gaps between these print issues) are popular with Sooke readers and readers anywhere who find this community interesting. Our news pages (with ads and sponsorships) remain online as a growing archive of Sooke’s growth. In the social media, follow us at: www.twitter.com/mapleline

MapleLine’s footprint grew two shoe sizes over the holiday season: by mid-February we will have launched our new magazine office, print shop and publishing consulting service in the new MapleLine Business Centre at 6707 West Coast Road, and this publication has expanded to 36 printed pages!

Ad dollars keep MapleLine in front of about 8,000 readers each print issue plus a growing number of online readers. We maintain affordable ad rates and invite you to promote your business or organization creatively with us.

May you, your family and friends live well in 2010. MM

Mary P. Brooke is the publisher and editor of MapleLine Magazine.

MapleLine Magazine is now located at the MapleLine Business Centre, 6707 West Coast Road (across from Peoples Drug Mart), Sooke, BC. Phone: 250-642-7729.

This editorial was first published on page 3 in the print edition of MapleLine Magazine (Winter-Spring 2010 issue / Feb-Apr.2010).