Closing the Chapter on a Wonderful Decade
Ten years ago I fell into two new jobs by accident— motherhood and Lexington Family Magazine. I graduated from the University of Kentucky with a journalism degree and found out I was pregnant with my first child in 2010. I just happened to be visiting campus when my former teacher John Lynch spotted me, visibly pregnant, and asked if I wanted to write a column for his magazine.
Writing a column turned into writing other articles for Lexington Family Magazine, then writing for the other publications under the Lexington Family umbrella, and eventually turned into being deputy editor.
My children grew up in the pages of this magazine, as I wrote about my successes (and slip-ups) in raising them. I like to think I became a better parent because of the content Lexington Family provides. The articles about local schools, pediatric medicine, positive parenting and family events in town all helped shape my family into a stronger, healthier unit.
Lexington Family Magazine was a staple in news racks around Central Kentucky for 22 years. When we made the switch from a print publication to a web-only resource in November of 2019, it was an act of trying to meet our readers where they were.
We knew smartphones were the ultimate resource for parents, so we put our focus on creating informative and relevant content for our website, LexingtonFamily.Com. We did this while continuing to produce Exceptional Family Magazine, our Field Trips & Activities Guide, the Successful Aging Resource Guide, Relocation Guide and the Baby Bump maternity guide.
The Baby Bump holds a special place in my heart. Providing a resource for expectant parents was one of the most fulfilling challenges I have faced. Each year I sat at my computer, making a list of new maternity article ideas, and reminiscing about the anxieties I felt while pregnant. Easing those anxieties for other parents was my ultimate goal and I hope The Baby Bump helped some women experience a better, calmer pregnancy and birth.
I gave birth to my two younger children in 2015 and 2017. Both times I was able to bring my infants to work with me until I felt ready to send them to childcare. Lexington Family Magazine certainly walked the walk when it came to being a friend to working parents.
Each of my coworkers over the years, from sales reps to graphic designers to interns, took turns holding my babies, playing with them or soothing them when I needed to make a phone call or use the bathroom. I cannot thank them enough for their patience and support.
It’s fitting that our editor John was my teacher for Magazine Writing at UK. Because not a day in the office went by when I didn’t learn something from him. It may have been a journalism tip, or a piece of sage parenting advice or even a new song on the guitar. He kept me learning for the last 10 years and I am grateful.
My final thank you goes out to you, readers. As members of the parenting community in Central Kentucky, you were the driving force behind all we did. Writing about amazing kids, teachers, programs and events in our area was an absolute treat, and your interest in those topics made my job possible.
The first-ever KidChella Arts & Music Festival was held in September 2019. I dreamt of a festival full of live music with families singing and dancing and art projects provided by local organizations. Lexington Family Magazine made my dream come true, and the community came out in droves to support that project, proving that Lexington is an amazing city to raise a family.
John’s decision to retire coincided with my family’s plans to relocate, leading us to halt new content production for LexingtonFamily.Com. Rest assured that all the current content you rely on will still be available.
My husband’s job is taking us away from Lexington, but as a born-and-raised Kentucky girl, I know we will back to visit the friends we have made and the local spots we love so much.
Thank you Lexington Family Magazine readers. It’s been a wonderful 10 years.
To read previous columns from Katie Saltz, click here.
To read editor John Lynch’s farewell column, click here.