Dear reader … - editor's desk - James J. Gormley, Better Nutrition - Brief Article - Editorial - Poem

Better Nutrition, Oct, 2001 by James J. Gormley

It's too easy, sometimes, to be swept into a vortex of activities like assigning and editing manuscripts, attending conventions, going to scientific meetings, sitting in on phone conferences, giving lectures, participating in planning sessions, moderating seminars, and so forth. These things, however, don't define why we do what we do every day here at Better Nutrition.

What defines why we come in every morning is you, our loyal readers. People like Ulanda Nichols, from Great Bend, Kansas, make it a joy--and a privilege--to serve all one million of you every month across the United States.

Ms. Nichols was touched by one of our recent articles, and was nice enough to write in and tell us about it (see "We've Got Mail" this issue). Larry Belger, from Mission Hills, Kansas, also wrote in about a piece he enjoyed--you can look for his letter in next month's issue.

As to why there seems to be a pattern of readers from the wonderful state of Kansas, the Sunflower State, I can't speculate. Perhaps I should consider Kansas' state song, "Home on the Range," where Dr. Brewster Higley wrote:

   Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam, Where the deer and the antelope
   play, Where seldom is heard a discouraging word And the skies are not
   cloudy all day.

Perhaps I should unearth other Kansas connections in light of the fact that we're smack dab in the middle of the harvest season, right now (see "P.S."), and that Kansas is also called the Wheat State.

Or perhaps I should thank my lucky stars for Ulanda, Larry and each and every one of you. Please keep writing us, so we can keep delivering more of what you want (and less of what you don't). In line with that, please make sure to join our Better Nutrition Reader Advisory Panel if you haven't already done so--write: Better Nutrition Reader Advisory Panel, 9-D Riverbend Drive South, 1st Floor, Stamford, CT 06907.

Aside from helping us map the editorial content of the magazine, one lucky reader will be entered, periodically, in our Reader Advisor Gift Basket drawing, which is loaded with goodies from manufacturers whose products you can pick up at your local health-food store.

Speaking of "lucky stars," the first part of Kansas' official state motto is "Ad Astra," which means "To the stars." We'll keep looking up, skyward, every day, as long as you, dear reader, make sure to always stay in touch.

My deepest gratitude, James J. Gormley