I stared at the screen of my computer thinking about what I wanted to say for the final issue of the year. And for days, I just stared. This year I lost my father and father-in-law 30 days apart, I haven’t been able to see my kids as often as I would like, business is tough, and I have stayed isolated longer than any other time in my life. But for some reason, I still feel grateful and hopeful.

The magazine is doing better now than before the pandemic as people stay home, travel less, and read more. Plus we have doubled down and improved our digital version, published more blog content, and re-started our newsletter Sophisticated Scoop.

So while I thought by now I would be happy to put 2020 behind me, I don’t have the foggiest idea what 2021 will bring. Instead of trying to forget 2020, I thought I would try to reflect on some of the positive things that happened, reflect on what they taught me, and recognize that things may not get any better soon.

I have remained COVID free. While some people seem like they are indifferent to contracting it, I don’t think it would be smart for me or my family. So it has taken a lot of will power to stay isolated, wear a mask, and avoid the temptation to travel, eat out, and congregate with friends.

I sailed more. As soon as I realized I was going to spend months at home and isolated, I decided that the pandemic is the best excuse to spend more time on our sailboat in Rhode Island. I was able to get my work done and no one really noticed I was gone. And there were fewer inexperienced boaters on the water!

I visited Maine. As you will discover in the pages to follow, I sailed to Maine this August which has long been on my bucket list. I knew it would be beautiful, but truthfully, I always wanted to go to a place where a 2- pound lobster was $10. I found both. The landscape and climate were unbeatable, the navigation was challenging, and my comfort level dealing with fog was finally overcome...kind of.

I ate home more. It kills me to watch our restaurant community struggle (at best), but I have prepared more meals in the last six months than in the last 6-six years. My grocery bill went up, but my restaurant bill went down. And my cooking skills have improved. I have made sushi, poached fish, shucked oysters, made pasta from scratch, and that was just last week.

I have slowed down this year and watched more sunsets. As I stay at home more often (actually a lot), I find that by slowing down, my stress level has gone down too. I am still stressed by the pandemic and everything that goes with it, but I am finding more time to take walks, watch the sunset, ride my bike more and drive my car less.

I talk with my mother daily. I was always pretty good about calling my mother, but like many sons, I did it once a week. Now with my father gone, I call every day. Not much changes day-to-day, but we have had more time to get to know each other again. I know about all of her aches and pains, her visits to her doctors, news of her friends and neighbors, and what’s on sale at Costco. I kinda like it.

My son got engaged to a great person. Both of my boys have dated their first sweetheart for many years. So I knew they were one and done. While my dad always asked when they were going to get married -- especially because he wanted to be there -- I didn’t pry too much. I figured there was plenty of time for that. But when my youngest told us he was ready, we were so thrilled. The icing on the cake is that she comes from a great family and we have already become close friends. Who can ask for anything more?

I’ve spent a lot of time with my dog. Charlie is a 10-year-old chocolate Lab and the best dog I have ever had. We spend more time together in the morning, take longer walks, nap in the late afternoon, and spoon at bedtime. My wife’s not so crazy about all of the affection I show Charlie, but I truly enjoy all the quality time we have spent together. The way she looks at me melts my heart. Or is that the food in my hand she is looking at?

While my income and net worth are way down, all in all, 2020 has had some redeeming qualities. I am not hoping for things to stay the same, but if they do, I have many activities I plan on doing which will make me equally grateful in 2021.

So as we head into the holiday season, I want you to know how grateful I am for you. You have written to me more often, praised our work, and in some cases disagreed with our perspective. I love hearing from you. But you have stood with us as we stand together to battle what I am sure will be one of the most memorable years in our lifetimes.

Stay healthy, stay strong, and stay calm.

Craig M. Kaminer

A Note from the Publisher