Cheers to 3 Years!

Our Community feature by Holly Stupak

We’re having a party and you’re invited to celebrate with us! That’s right: Our hometown magazine is turning 3 this month! And our latest checkup indicates that we’re strong, healthy and growing nicely, thanks to our dedicated Publisher Bob Blaisse, who had a vision of Bringing People Together in our hometown.

Bob Blaisse, Publisher of Marple Friends & Neighbors

Best Version Media (BVM) publications have been connecting local communities since 2007. It started with the vision of Dave Durand, Pete Ericksen and Paul Lubinski. The trio developed a small handful of magazines in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, area for five years before expanding the business in 2012. Dave now serves as BVM’s Chief Executive Officer; Paul is the company’s Chief Operating Officer; and Pete is their Chief Procurement Officer.

BVM is now one of the fastest-growing companies in the print and digital media industry, and now serves residents and local businesses across the United States and Canada with over 1,000 community magazines in print. In 2020, BVM distributed more than 33 million magazines. That number is expected to continue rising due to BVM’s Mission of Bringing People Together and its post-COVID commitment to helping small businesses grow.

Prior to March 2018, Bob Blaisse had co-founded and helped develop a media business that published designs for signage used by church and school ministries. That business venture had provided the opportunity for Bob to come to know Dave Durand at BVM.

In March 2018, Bob called Dave, who immediately asked Bob to join BVM, with the suggestion of a management role that would be better served by Bob after learning the magazine Publisher’s role firsthand. “Dave Durand asked me if I would like to use my first six months to start a BVM magazine in my own hometown,” Bob explained. “Of course, I said, but only if I can launch separate hometown magazines for both Marple and Newtown townships, which have been sister communities developing alongside each other for hundreds of years.”

Dave agreed and Bob set out to find the Charter Advertising Sponsors needed to gain the green light to launch Marple Friends & Neighbors and Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors in August 2018.

When asked what makes our hometown magazine special, Bob was quick to share what every Reader already knows:

Every month, our Marple Friends & Neighbors magazine combines the best elements of social media and print," Bob said, "by sharing positive, family-friendly stories, which are Bringing People Together through hometown pride.

The December 2018 issue of Marple Friends & Neighbors featured The Grosso Family: Rita, Anthony and their three children.

The Grosso Family on the cover of December 2018 Marple Friends & Neighbors

Photo by Dan Hall, Prestige Photography

Being in the magazine really got us into the holiday spirit early that year,” said Rita. “The photo shoot was really fun! The pictures were taken at our home in early November so we quickly took down the Halloween decorations and replaced them with Christmas ones.

The Grosso children, Chiara, Monica and Joseph, really enjoyed seeing themselves on the cover of the magazine. “When friends and relatives came for holidays, the kids couldn't wait to show them the issue,” added Anthony.

On the cover of January 2020 Marple Friends & Neighbors: The Speer Family, Lovers of the Outdoors and All Things Sports

Photo by Sierra Clark Photography www.SierraClarkPhoto.com

For The Speer Family, it was exciting to be able to share their story with their neighbors. “As the years pass, we are becoming more involved in the Marple community between school, dance, and sports,” said Emily, Owner of Speer Swim School and one of our magazine Sponsors.

Our swim school is also reaching more members of the community, and we are always meeting new people with whom we can connect on multiple levels," said Emily. "This magazine has helped us learn more about the people we meet in our everyday lives.

When their story ran in January 2020, Emily and Ed had four children: Beatrix, Eddie, Daphne and Richie. Since then, they welcomed baby number five, Winnie, to their family!

The Cowley Family, Ali, Shawn, Owen and Brooke, kept their February 2020 cover story a surprise. “It was really fun because when the issue arrived in mailboxes, we received so many texts and calls from family and friends who loved the article,” said Ali.

The February 2020 Marple Friends & Neighbors cover photo: The Cowley Family, Open to Life’s Windows of Opportunity

Photo by Sierra Clark Photography www.SierraClarkPhoto.com

Ali and Shawn said they look forward to getting the magazine each month.

I love seeing families I know on the cover,” Ali said, “but it’s also fun to read about others in our community whom I haven’t yet met.

In addition to featuring local families, Marple Friends & Neighbors also spotlights local celebrities, entrepreneurs, authors and volunteers. Every month, you’ll also find local events and the latest news on what’s happening around Marple.

What lies ahead for our hometown magazine? Perhaps a Sports section to complement our new www.BVMSports.com website, which reports on local sports from PeeWee to Pro. As our Publisher Bob Blaisse often says, our advertising Sponsors will help us decide. They made it possible for Marple to have a hometown magazine in print and online at www.MarpleMag. com. As our number of Sponsors has grown, so has our magazine page count, which in turn has allowed us to add more Expert Contributors, whom Readers have come to know and trust for their hometown expertise.

SPECIAL MOMENTS CAPTURED

Sierra Clark Photography www.SierraClarkPhoto.com