Reflecting on 20 Years ... But Who's Counting?
/Our amazing editor looks back over her time here at Four States Living
By Suzy Turner
I saw this sign while vacationing at Universal Studios in Florida and immediately sent it to Robin for a laugh.
It’s so hard to believe, but July marked my 20th anniversary at Four States Living Magazine. I always said that I wanted to make it to the 20-year mark, but when I was saying that, 20 years felt like a lifetime away. Now it is here! Time flies when you’re having fun.
This summer, I found myself reflecting on this vicennial journey. I pulled years of magazines out of our files, looked through old photographs, and contemplated many decisions (hard ones and easy ones) our FSLM teams have made in the last 20 years.
Bear with me as I editorialize many of my favorite moments, magazines, and memories that have made an impact on me during my time at FSLM. I could fill an entire 76-page magazine just on my reflections, but I will just highlight a few of my favorites:
• I started working here during July 2002. As I remember it, I met Robin (and her daughter, Emily) out at Runnin’ WJ Ranch during June. I was dropping my daughter, Fallon, off there for summer camp, and Robin was doing the same with Em. We immediately struck up a conversation, and she found out that I had previously worked for a newspaper, the Jefferson Jimplecute, and I found out that she was the owner/publisher of a magazine, Four States Living. She was actually looking to add another team member, and I was looking for a career in my chosen field. Long story short, she hired me just a few weeks later.
Fallon and Emily (with country music artist Mae Estes). Our two girls are credited for Robin and I meeting that June day in 2002.
• I believe that it was my first day working at FSLM that I mentioned to Robin that I had no writing skills ... or any interest in writing at all. My forté was organizing, typing, spelling, and editing. Well, if you follow FSLM at all, you know that writing quickly became one of my job duties, as well as one of my favorite things to do. (Did I mention that my mother was the editor/writer at the weekly newspaper where I had previously worked? Folks, the apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree!)
• After meeting Robin at the ranch that hot June day, I immediately began searching for a current issue of FSLM. I found one at Albertson’s, and lo and behold, H. Ross Perot was featured on the cover. I thought, “This is right up my alley!” My family had only been in Texarkana for two years, so I knew that if I was hired at the magazine, it would give me a chance to get to know people and become involved in the community. (The August 2002 issue was the last edition that we printed completely in news print. The following month, September 2002, the magazine had a beautiful glossy cover. Being a very small part of that positive change encouraged me!)
One of the most meaningful highlights of my career was becoming friends with Mary Katherine and Dr. Pat Weber.
• My very first interview that impacted my life tremendously was when I interviewed Mary Katherine and Dr. Pat Weber for a cover story in the March 2003 issue. After suffering the tremendous loss of their son, I was surprised at how friendly and outgoing they were. I could not imagine their pain; however, they kept smiles on their faces and encouraged me to live life to its fullest. (After meeting her, Mary Katherine became a near and dear friend to me. Keep reading to see more about just how much she meant to me!)
Nedra Turney graced the March 2006 FSLM cover.
• I’m not sure if there is a pattern of some of my favorite issues being in March, but another standout story that I wrote was in the March 2006 issue and featured Nedra Turney who, at the time, was the executive director of the American Red Cross here in Texarkana. I honestly believe that she is one of the classiest ladies that I have ever met. Her enthusiastic demeanor and gentle, encouraging words were just what I needed at the time. (After all, I honestly was STILL trying to wrap my head around the fact that I was not living in Jefferson anymore. The old adage was definitely true: You can take the girl out of Marion County, but you can’t take Marion County out of the girl!)
Me with Pat Rogers during FSLM’s 2009 Tribute to Women luncheon.
• May 2009 was FSLM’s first Tribute to Women issue, and it was probably THE highlight of my 20-year career. This issue was the brainchild of my publisher (and friend), Robin Rogers. In this issue, she highlighted 11 women whom she admired and loved. Some of the women were also people I admired greatly (Pat Rogers, Robin’s mother who also became one of my very best friends; Mary Ellen Young, who was one of my favorite teachers at Texarkana College; and Vicki Melde, one of the nicest, kindest ladies I know). Robin and I had a special bond from the start, but when I found out that she had chosen me as one of the honorees for this issue, I was flabbergasted. And the best part of the whole thing was that she chose me for this honor because of my skills as a mother. Nothing can top that! (Robin began this Tribute to Women tradition so that every May, the previous years’ honorees would choose who they would spotlight for the current year. This is where my previous comment comes into play about sharing how special Mary Katherine Weber is to me. For the 2010 Tribute to Women issue, I nominated Mary Katherine as the lady I wanted to honor!)
• My favorite person in the whole wide world was featured in the January 2014 issue of FSLM. Because no one knew this story as well as I did, I wrote an article about my daughter, Fallon. (If you look back at the issue, my name is not mentioned as the writer because I used a pseudonym! I am not going to mention the name I used in case I ever want to use that alias again! Ha!) Born with hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy, Fallon was (and is) the toughest, most positive person I have ever known. At the time that I wrote the article, she was traveling and competing as a wheelchair bodybuilder, eventually even becoming a professional in the sport. Fallon is the epitome of a champion. And she was/is living her best life ... which also means that her father, Mike, and I have/are, too.
Fallon, my “shero,” during a photoshoot for the 2014 health and wellness issue.
• Here we go again ... in the (wait for it!) March issue of 2016, I had the privilege of interviewing artist Dean Lynn. Talented beyond measure, Dean just has natural skill, and we just “clicked” instantly. His incredible eye for color and keen sense of art styles has made him a master at his craft. Dean and I became steadfast friends, he always called me “kid,” and told me I was “special” on numerous occasions. Looking back through the years, I recently came across a text from him where he told me not to forget him when FSLM publishes the “Fantastic 80 and Older” issue. Oh, how I admire his humor!
Meeting Dean Lynn and interviewing him twice has been a highlight of my career.
• In October 2018, FSLM celebrated its 25th anniversary. Even though we worked day and night on this silver edition, it is probably my VERY favorite issue ever. It brought back so many great memories of people I have befriended and events I have attended. We even hosted a fun celebration party in the Regional Arts Center where we had all 25 years’ worth of covers made into posters and displayed on the galleries’ walls. It was like taking a trip down memory lane seeing the 300 covers that we have published during that quarter of a century.
Mike, Fallon and me during FSLM’s 25th anniversary celebration.
• During 2019, my family planned a trip to Branson, Missouri, one of our favorite vacation spots. We knew that New Boston native Taylor Granberry was the host at Dolly Parton’s Stampede, so we quickly ordered tickets and messaged her with plans to meet up after the show. In a story I wrote about her in (yet again) March of 2019, Taylor talked about “being exactly where God intended her to be.” Her drive and talent really impressed me, and we love watching her expand and grow her dreams. (Since then, Taylor has gotten married and is a singer/dancer at Legends in Concert Theater in Myrtle Beach.)
Fallon, me and Taylor Granberry while at Dolly Parton’s Stampede in Branson.
• November 2021 ranks right up there in my list of favorites, too. After living through a crazy 2020, our staff decided to thank those whose lives couldn’t stop during that time when most of us were quarantined. We featured “30 Days of Gratitude” to show appreciation to firefighters, nonprofit organization directors, physicians, pastors, linemen, and veterans, among other vocations. Looking back now, that issue really put into perspective just how many people have crucial occupations and keep our lives as “normal” as possible even in troubling times.
Robin Roberts visits with me during Wadley’s 2008 Bringing Hope Home event.
• Not only have I met and become friends with Texarkana locals; I have also been blessed to meet several celebrities. In 2005, I wrote a story about Dean Fearing who at the time was chef of The Mansion on Turtle Creek. In 2008, our staff met Good Morning America’s anchor, Robin Roberts, when she was the guest speaker at the Wadley Foundation’s Bringing Hope Home fundraiser. One of my favorite country musicians, Neal McCoy, was the entertainer for the CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System Foundation Gala in 2014. Even though it was a shockingly snowy night in TXK, Fallon and I were fortunate to get some seats with Robin (my boss) and one of her friends at their table. We had a blast! During our #flashbackfeb issue in 2015, I interviewed country music singer/songwriter, Tracy Lawrence, who was born in Atlanta, Texas, and actress and native Texarkanian Molly Quinn, who played Alexis Castle on the television series, Castle. What an incredible journey for me!
Since we have attended several Neal McCoy concerts, meeting him in person in 2014 was a highlight for me and Fallon.
Molly Quinn was featured in the #flashbackfeb issue in 2015.
While glancing back through the past 20 years, I have noticed lots of ... change. Deadlines have come and gone, some marriages (of story subjects) have come and gone, coworkers have come and gone, but the one constant colleague I have always depended on is Robin, our publisher. Twenty years ago, when she hired me, I really don’t think she realized just how sheltered I was. Other than traveling with my family as a child, I had never really been far from home. With her persistence and nudging, my family and I discovered a whole new world including Disney World, taking cruises to Honduras, Alaska, and the Bahamas (no more staycations for my family), furthering my education at Texarkana College, and realizing that spur of the moment decisions are often the BEST decisions. If I hadn’t run into Robin all those years ago at Runnin’ WJ Ranch, I never would have had all of these awesome opportunities and special memories. I never dreamed how far that one conversation would take me. And I look forward to flipping through the pages of FSLM 20 years from now and continuing to reminisce about all that I have been fortunate to be a part of. After all, 20 years is a very long time ... but who’s counting?
Publisher/editor by day; friends by night, attending a Luke Bryan concert.
When boarding a plane to return home after a trip to Las Vegas, we were shocked when Robin was on the same flight.
Side Note: If you ever want to make someone’s day, write them a personal note and let them know how you appreciate them. While cleaning out my desk recently when we moved our office next door, I came across notes from friends who have been featured in stories, Scene About Towns, Interiors, etc. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that the written word is a dying art form; I promise that reading each sentiment put a smile on my face for days!