From the Editor

I truly can’t believe we’ve reached the end of another year. Time has a way of slipping past us quietly, and suddenly we find ourselves looking back, wondering how the months moved so quickly. It feels like only yesterday we were navigating the thick heat of summer, and now we’re surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of the holiday season.

This time of year, brings joy for many, but it also carries a heaviness that isn’t always recognized. For some, the holidays highlight the empty space left by someone who was once at the center of our celebrations. The empty chair at the table can feel louder than the laughter around it. If you have experienced loss this year, please know my heart is with you. I’m at a stage in life where it seems every few weeks a friend or former classmate shares news of a loved one’s passing. I haven’t personally walked through that grief yet, so I count my blessings every single day that my parents, siblings, children, and extended family are still here. May we hold the people we love a little tighter, speak more kindly, forgive more quickly, and never take each other for granted.

As we close out 2025, I want to welcome you to our final issue of the year. Florida may not give us the crisp air and turning leaves of fall and winter, but the spirit of the season is very much alive. In the coming weeks, many of us will gather around tables, living rooms, or wherever home happens to be, to celebrate, reflect, and reconnect. If you’re hoping to enjoy the holiday meals without feeling like you went overboard, be sure to check out our holiday eating tips and recipe beginning on page 18.

For so many of us, this has been a demanding year. We juggle work, family, businesses, responsibilities, and everything in between—and some days it feels like we’re running on fumes. Add the emotional and financial pressures of the season, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. My encouragement to you is simple: Pause. Breathe. Give yourself permission to rest. Check in with your body, your mind, and your spirit. This past year has pushed me in ways I didn’t expect, but it also deepened my faith and reminded me where my true strength comes from. For that, I’m deeply grateful.

I also want to extend my most heartfelt appreciation to our advertisers. To every company, individual, and organization that believed in us and supported the Midtown Press—THANK YOU. Your partnership is not just appreciated; it is essential. The Midtown Press exists because advertisers realize the value of community storytelling, and because readers like you continue to seek out local news, events, and information. You are both the heartbeat of what we do.

As we move toward a new year, I hope you remember that fresh starts don’t require a calendar change. You can begin again at any moment. Whether it’s letting go of something that no longer serves you, embracing a new habit, or taking the first step toward a big dream—starting now gives you a beautiful head start on the year ahead.

Thank you for being part of our community, our readership, and our story this year. I am truly grateful. Until next time, be well, stay safe, and hold close what truly matters.

In love and health!

Glen