That’s big talk, I know.
But they will at least change the way we start sending you news:
Charm & Hustle.
Those are the words (and the ampersand) that will cause the shift. For years I’ve worked with this mindset. Convincing people I can do something, then figuring it out. Now this idea has taken on a new meaning—a perfect description of our home towns and the people that build life here.
See, in the Midwest we are, indeed charming. It’s not an act or feigned kindness, it’s a genuine trait passed down through generations. But being nice doesn’t make us timid. We work hard. And we play hard. We’re busy making music, winning games, getting our hands dirty and moving on with this time we have. It’s a way of life.
And there are a lot of us. 60% of Americans live in the Heartland.
That’s an awful lot to fly over.
All the great people doing incredible things and we’re lucky enough to live right in the middle of it. So why not celebrate that?
A new approach to news
That inspiration took form in The Scout—a new adventure designed to connect you with the Charm & Hustle of our community.
I’m not a journalist. I’m also not naive. I get it, bad things happen. But I take heart in the words of Will Durant:
Civilization is a stream with banks. The stream is sometimes filled with blood from people killing, stealing, shouting and doing things historians usually record; while on the banks, unnoticed, people build homes, make love, raise children, sing songs, write poetry and even whittle statues. The story of civilization is the story of what happened on the banks.
So we make a commitment to you now to tell the story of the banks. Our story. We know things happen in the stream, but you won’t hear them here.
The Scout brings you the good stuff—the music, food, events and news to keep you in the know of local culture. Each day we deliver it in the form of a good old-fashioned email. For free. We’ll be more relevant, less political, and real.
I hope you’ll join us for the ride.
