To Fondren, With Love

Over the next couple of weeks, you’ll begin seeing online the pieces and parts, the content of our fall 2015, fifth anniversary issue of Find It In Fondrenâ„¢ Magazine.

Today, I wanted to share with you my publisher’s note. It’s the story of Find It In Fondren and a thanks to so many who have made it possible.

I came to Fondren in 2007 at a crossroads in life. A graphic designer, writer, photographer and musician for fun, my late sister suggested I could make a living using my creative side. My mother, an art teacher, deemed Fondren the place to do it.

Armed with a stack of business cards, I first offered my services to Patrick Harkins at Fondren Guitars. He connected me with the Fondren Express Trolley, who connected me to Jeff Good, who connected me to Fondren Renaissance. My network expanded and my career did, too.

But after three years of experiencing first-hand a vibrant Fondren, I was hard pressed to locate anyone who regularly told the “good stories” about the neighborhood. With a background in radio news reporting, I felt surely this was my calling.

Enter Jeff Good once again, an advocate and supporter of mine and a phone call that changed my direction. A “good news” publication was one he encouraged, so much so, he became my first supporting partner. What could have been a fun, one-off project has become my job, to be a cheerleader for the Fondren I love.

I’ve met so many who are thankful and appreciative of what I do. But a chance meeting nearly four years ago introduced me to my biggest fan who is now my wife, my anchor, my sounding board (and our editor).

Sophie and I couldn’t think of a better way to give back to our community than to continually look for newer and fresher ways to shine a spotlight upon this vibrant jewel of a neighborhood, an urban oasis for us and so many others who appreciate diversity, character, history and the spirit of cooperation.

If you’ve ever read a story we’ve shared and thought, “that sounds like me,” or “she seems like a great person I’d like to get to know,” mission accomplished. Our number one goal, day in and day out, is to educate and inform you of the goodness of Fondren and the greater Jackson community that surrounds us.

From the very bottom of our hearts, we say thanks to you, our readers, supporting partners, contributors and encouragers. You make this journey worth every step, a path we hope to be on for many years to come.

Paul Allen Wolf is the publisher and founder and Sophie McNeil Wolf is the editor of Find It In Fondren.