By Jack Houvouras
HQ 53 | AUTUMN 2004
In recent months, I have commenced to study wine. Perhaps it is because I am getting older, perhaps it is because it is the only alcoholic beverage that I have ever enjoyed, or perhaps it is because of HQ’s new column on vino that we introduced last year. Whatever the reason, one of the few things I’ve learned to date is that a fine wine only gets better with time.
And such is the case with HQ which celebrates its 15 Year Anniversary this month. As you can see from the cover, we decided to go with a wine theme, complete with a Waterford Crystal wine goblet, as crystal is the traditional 15 year anniversary gift. And while we didn’t actually grow, harvest and produce the vintage you see on the cover, we did design the label complete with an old painting and authentic signature of city founder Collis P. Huntington.
When the Huntington Quarterly first premiered in 1989, it was a bit primitive as some wine afficionados might say. But with time, hard work, a little luck and an unyielding commitment to quality, the publication has grown and matured into something special.
Reaching a milestone anniversary like 15 years for a small city magazine doesn’t happen without a great deal of help, and HQ has had more than its fair share. So, on this very special occasion, I would like to take this opportunity to thank some of the many fine people who have helped make the magazine what it is today.
From the very beginning, the Huntington Quarterly had the support of my father, a successful businessman in Huntington who sat on our original Board of Advisers. In fact, much of my family has played a pivotal role in our success. My brother Tom gave up half of his office for several months, installed an additional phone line and offered prudent business advise when the magazine was struggling to get off the ground. My mother worked as a proofreader for several years before finally retiring, claiming she had never missed a typo or grammatical faux pas in her tenure.
This magazine would not have lasted five years, let alone 15, if not for the countless contributions of the talented and affable David Fattaleh. His tireless efforts both behind the camera and out in the community promoting the magazine have been invaluable. Backing David up is Rick Lee, one of the finest commercial photographers I have ever worked with, even if he is from Charleston.
HQ has had the privilege to work with several gifted graphic designers who give the publication its personality and unique look. Some of those creative individuals include Mike Friel, Kim Kelly, Leesa Edwards, Rose Henson, Kristin Irwin and, our current art director, Megan Smith.
Some of the talented people who have helped run the day to day operations of the magazine include former Managing Editors Dale Oxley, Anne Selvaggi, Leesa Edwards and, our current workhorse, Autumn Wiley.
There have been a number of people behind the scenes who keep the engine churning. We would be stranded if not for the ingenious work of our beloved computer geeks – Steve Kalonick and Robert Sealey. Additionally, the magazine has been able to turn a profit each year thanks in large measure to the financial expertise of our business advisors – John Hess, Tomi Weber and Debbie Brown.
Then, of course, there are the writers who are too numerous to mention. Their work and commitment to the written word is the true heart and soul of the publication.
Finally, the magazine would not exist if not for our loyal subscribers and advertisers, many of which have been with us for 15 straight years. It is that kind of support that has enabled HQ to prosper when, according to most experts in the publishing game, it should have failed. So Huntington, raise your glass and take a bow. Here’s to you.
