I hope you find our magazine interesting and its features informative. About a year ago when I decided to venture into this project, it started as just an idea... then escalated into a dream... and now, you are reading the reality.

My vision of the magazine is ever changing, and each issue will be created for you and by you, the readers. Your input is vital to the direction and success of the magazine. This website is where you can provide feedback, participate in reader contests, and submit your stories for our user-driven content. You are critical to the success of Around the Panhandle, so please feel free to share your ideas, criticism, and praise.

Much different from the other publications, we are focused on the issues facing us as citizens of the Tri- State area. Our goals are to inform, educate, enlighten, entertain, and even at times challenge you. We will introduce you to interesting people, fascinating places, and things you may not know are available to you. To do this well, we need to know what interests you, and what issues you feel are most important.

I must take this space to to thank some very special people in my life. First, my wife and best friend, Kresha, whom without, this project could not have become a reality. We met in the mountains of this beautiful state we call home. They seemed to push us in the right direction when neither of us felt like we knew where to go. Her belief in me and constant encouragement has kept me moving forward, no matter the obstacle. Mom and Dad - thanks for bringing me East and always believing in me. Without you, I wouldn’t be the man I am today. Dad, you will always be what I try to become one day and Mom, your unbelievable faith in what I can achieve has always kept me dreaming. To all the people who helped make this first issue a reality, Christie, Matt, BB, Eric, Jennifer, Craig, Mary, Jeff, Mike, Matt W, Maxwell, Brad, Jodi, Eric and Bill...I am truly grateful.

I hope this is the first of many times we can interact and I look forward to hearing from you. We’d like as many people as possible to enjoy this magazine, so for a limited time we are offering a “buy one, give one” subscription for $ 11.99/year. Yes, you get yours and you give one to your friend, for just $ 11.99.

Happy Reading!

Mike Hornby

Publisher/Editor