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Survival is the exception.”

We’re just happy to be here, honestly!

When I made the quick decision to mothball ClubWest Magazine in March 2020 it wasn’t some sort of business strategy.

It was an instantaneous demand brought on by the devastating impact of COVID-19’s onset. The magazine was a limb that needed to be severed to ensure the heart of the community, NewsNow, could keep beating. Now, here we are somehow, three-plus years later, and we are able to revive that limb for Niagara West.

For that reason, I changed the original quote at the top of this offering for the first time since we started this lifestyle publication nine years ago.

This last three years has mainly been about survival, nothing fancy, just head down, keep pushing, and we are glad we did.

It felt great when we started getting inquiries in February about a ClubWest relaunch.

We heard from readers every week but when advertisers start asking...it was time to look into it. After conducting a simple email canvass of our advertisers, it was clear the time was ripe. Now, here we are.

It felt great to check in with chef Jan-Willem Stulp at Grand Oak Culinary about coming back as our Chef In Residence. Chef and his wife, Jane, run a first-class show in Vineland and we’re overjoyed to have him back.

Same for Brent Bochek, noted Beamsville fishing expert. You need to know something about angling, he’s your man! This time around he stepped up for me at the last minute. So, thanks for that Brent!

The only sad note, our cover feature for this re-launch was to be a great story on the travel exploits of one Craig Bivand, a born and raised Grimsby lad who had travelled to 97 countries in his life.

He was to be the cover feature in June 2020 - which never happened - and, when I knew we were coming back. he was my first call. We had a lunch chat planned at Forty Public House which never happened, cancelled, and Craig died a month later.

While Craig’s story will remain untold, I am sure you will love the features we have. As well, try the recipes. Let us know what you think!