Howdy, Insider fans, and welcome to the first official issue of the summer. I should probably start off by thanking you for picking up your trusty Insider instead of your hot-pink noodle and heading to one the city pools (which opened last weekend! Hooray!) You made a good choice.
I'm very excited about this issue for a few reasons:
1. Along with the Monitor's own Maddie Hanna and Clay Wirestone, I'm on the cover. But that's not why I'm excited: In case you couldn't tell (with 90 percent of my face hidden behind a book and all), I was having a good hair day – always a reason to celebrate.
2. The very talented photographer John Tully took the cover photo. He's the newest member of the Monitor's photo team and, on top of taking top-notch pictures, he's a pretty awesome guy. You rock, Tully!
3. We're rolling out an exciting new column this week called The Awesomenator. The Awesomenator, known better to his friends as Brady Carlson, has worn a lot of hats in his days: librarian, community theater director, custodian, warehouse laborer, and an adjunct college professor, to name a few. If you're a public radio listener, you've probably heard his silky voice gracing the airwaves of NHPR. On top of being famous (by Concord standards), he's funny. Really funny. Read his column and you'll see why.
Finally, because I would never try to pull a fast one on you, readers, I should disclose that I'm a member of one of the book clubs featured in this issue (hint: it's not the South End Men's Auxiliary Book Group). If you're still stumped, here's a clue: Katie List was my roommate before she moved to Texas. Read on, partner.
