After 25 years of publishing Paradise NEWS, we thought there was little we had not yet seen. We had hoped 2020 would be the year of perfect vision. Instead, at the height of season, what our local businesses needed badly was cut short. Just about the time 25,000 copies of Paradise NEWS’ March issues were hitting mailboxes, venues were cancelling shows and authorities were issuing closure orders as a precaution against the spread of the Corona Virus called COVID-19. The March issue of Paradise NEWS turned out to be a comprehensive list of cancelled shows and events. Fortunately, we have been operating Paradise NEWS for decades now in a remote fashion.
We feel terrible for the many businesses in our readership area who have been hard hit by the pandemic, the resorts and restaurants, suppliers and service people, especially Ruthie and Steve at Chill on Corey who were the subject of the Letter’s column in the March edition. Many places have “specials to go or delivery arrangements” so call and help support the local businesses you love. We are trying to keep a current list online at paradisenews.com, so please check it out. Many acts of courage and kindness are occurring in the face of this crisis. You can do your part to. It is hard to predict when life will return to a more normal schedule, but we are praying for the economy and everyone’s sanity that things will be getting back on track sometime soon. Our long-time Astrologer, Sarah Lyons, who is highly credentialed has been eerily accurate in her predictions, and now says to be prepared for restrictions to last. Saturn is in Capricorn only every 29 years. This is the year.
In this April issue, we have tried to include some perspective to the current crisis and some suggestions of things you can do while you are sheltering in place.
Who knows how long this condition will exist. In the past 10 days the 52-year-old Gulfport Gabber suspended printing, at least temporarily, and the Tampa Bay Times is only printing 2 days a week. Paradise NEWS has also been affected, and virus relief funds for us are uncertain, so it may be that we will have to at least STOP THE FREE MAILING at some time in the not too distant future.
If you would like to be proactive and make sure Paradise NEWS keeps coming in your mail, a subscription form is provided on page 20 of this edition. Thank you for your support.