Upfront

by Sherry Foster
Editor

Over the past few weeks we’ve been thoroughly entertained by looking through past issues of Augusta Magazine—pouring over 35 years of photos, ads and stories. Many of the people and places featured still play prominent roles in the community and our magazine while others are just a distant memory, if that.

While the early issues could best be described as quaint in terms of design and technical sophistication, many of the stories are refreshingly predictive and insightful, which is something we still aim for today. In the context of another 20 years I hope that anyone who takes the time to look back at the pages we’ve published in the past 10 years will deem them as entertaining, relevant and timeless.

In the course of planning this issue, many questions have arisen regarding the timeline of the magazine’s evolution. Most people remember back to the days when Joe and Jerry Rogers purchased the magazine from Marion Vann in 1985, and its consequent purchase in 1994 by Billy Morris. But the events leading up to Marion’s involvement get a little murky. So I met Marion at the Partridge Inn one afternoon to clarify the details. It seems a magazine called Augusta Magazine was published sporadically in the mid-’60s for about four years in conjunction with the Augusta Chamber (reputedly to highlight the Masters Tournament). In 1975, Marion started the magazine as a lifestyle publication. During her ownership Beth Siciliano was editor and Louise Shivers, Beth’s mother and nationally acclaimed writer, served as senior editor. They tapped into the pool of writers and professors at Augusta College for editorial content, attracting such talented contributors as the late Ed Cashin. She also devised an internship program, which proved an invaluable resource in all aspects of publication. In fact, Dan Pearson, who wrote the first Best of Augusta feature in 1984 (and all subsequent ones to date), was in the first group of interns. (Our current assistant editor was an intern before she was hired as a full-time employee.)

In celebration of 35 years, we asked Dan to write his remembrances of that first Best of Augusta and to share his thoughts about issues. He has done a splendid job—interjecting his own unique brand of humor and observation. We’ve also included some of our favorite photos of people you’ll likely recognize as well as ads from loyal supporters and bygone businesses from the past.

I hope you enjoy looking back. Pay close attention though because that person who looks so familiar could be you.