I normally introduce myself with a firm handshake and direct eye contact. “Hello my name is Roger Klein and I’m here to do a story.” But that old-school ritual has gone by the wayside, recently replaced by awkward fist and elbow bumps. Yet some people still hold their hand out with confidence and a smile in an act of rebellion, giving a stiff middle finger to the culture of fear created by the pandemic. Either way, a simple introduction allows people to lower their guard a bit, so the conversation can begin candidly, without fear.
I’m going to take off my mask for a second so you can see me. I never assume that you know me — but you might. I’ve been working as a video journalist around Georgian Bay for the past 25 years and I recently joined the team at On The Bay magazine. You could say it took me a long time to get here, LOL. But honestly, my work as a journalist was an incredible education that informed me of the realities we all face together.
On The Bay offers something different to me and to the communities around Southern Georgian Bay. I’m grateful for this opportunity, and I understand that it comes with great responsibilities to the people and institutions that have built this amazing place where we live, work and play.
After all, the Bay is the one thing that we all have in common. It’s the Bay that connects Owen Sound to Parry Sound, Wasaga Beach to The Blue Mountains.
I’m joined by a number of other new contributors who will help build on the magazine’s established voice in the region. Our cover has a new skyline — “Celebrating Life and People In Southern Georgian Bay” — there are new departments and, as you probably already noticed, there’s a whole new look.
The new On The Bay magazine has everything you would expect and more, including featured homes and decor, automotive, travel, and lifestyle stories. Food, pets, and gardens have their place in the pages as well.
The environment plays high in this issue with Edward Burtynsky’s world class photography and perspectives. There’s reader mail from several community groups that are active in local planning and political processes, illustrating how deeply people care about the Georgian Bay watershed. I expect that this will be a common theme. After all, the Bay is the one thing that we all have in common. It’s the Bay that connects Owen Sound to Parry Sound, Wasaga Beach to The Blue Mountains.
The Bay is also the inspiration for a new digital video platform we are launching this winter called BayWatch. This is where local sights, sounds and features will stream online, available on your computer, smart TV or mobile device. The opportunities to tell local stories are almost endless with this new presence that will interdigitate with On The Bay magazine and The New Classical 102.9 FM. Download the App from Google play or the App Store and start watching BayWatch today.
Roger Klein
Chief of Content,
On The Bay
