17,733,378 visits in 2022 as of noon on December 31.

Who would have thought the number of visits would triple over our first year? Launching in 2021, it was exciting to close out the year with 5.6 million visits. It felt like a really big deal. And in the grand scheme of things for a news startup, it is.

Now, to look at our second year and to see almost 18 million visits, it’s solidifying that what we’re covering, talking about and spotlighting is important to you, the reader. We have even more confidence in the model of keeping it free because we know you can access any story, at any time, without hitting a paywall, a subscription fee or ‘teaser’ limited number of articles.

While speech is free, journalism isn’t. We’re thankful to burn the midnight oil on as a result of advertisers and supporters who find value in the kind of news offered by Flagler News Weekly – good news and sometimes, when necessary, a scolding or two when a situation gets out of hand. But you see, we try not to preach, push our view or sway you. We do try to offer a factual look at what’s happening, while presenting avenues for you to lend a hand or make an impact, if possible.

Flagler News Weekly is part of the Sunrise Media Group and includes our digital magazine Top Shelf Florida Quarterly, which has been my personal, absolute joy to create quarterly. FNW also collaborates with Lifeline Radio Show on WNZF 94.9 FM spotlighting our region’s nonprofit organizations whose missions are so critical to the success of our community. Lifeline is sponsored by amazing organizations and businesses like the Flagler County Education Foundation, Quantum Electric, Quantum Auto & Tire, Quantum A/C, Anthony’s Pizza, WNZF NewsRadio and Flagler News Weekly. Yes, it takes a village to pull it off, but knowing it’s making a real impact in the circle of life makes every busy day worth it.

I’d like to thank our Flagler News Weekly columnist Dr. Joe Saviak for sharing his infinite wisdom with our readers. So many people hoard their skills and knowledge, but Dr. Saviak shares it graciously with the world, hoping it will make people better leaders, co-workers, mentors, and people in general. I would encourage you to check out his words of wisdom every Tuesday under the ‘Leadership Lessons with Dr. Saviak’ column.

We’d also like to thank Flagler News Weekly columnist Melodye Lewis for her fun column ‘A Life Worth Binge Watching’. She’s on hiatus for the holiday but has been a Friday staple offering laughter, empty nest insight, dating advice and so much more. Plus, she’s a fellow Yellowstone fan, and anyone who likes Yellowstone is ok in our book!

We restart ‘The Big Five’ spotlights each Monday on the first of the year with author Catherine Manfre, so be sure to check it out and take a peek at her book. It’s a riveting look at the world from one of Flagler County’s very own students who has gone on to a successful career.

We’d like to invite you to check out the Winter Issue of Top Shelf Florida Quarterly in mid-January 2023 as we announce the 2022 Lady of the Year and the 2022 Gentleman of the Year.

I’d personally like to thank each of you for providing the opportunity to share these amazing stories, and for supporting Flagler News Weekly and all we do whether it’s as a reader, writer, advertiser, tipster, or friend. We have one more, cool thing in the works for 2023 and then we’ll have conquered the world (LOL, ok, maybe our tiny piece of the world). Stay tuned!

From my family to yours, we wish you a very blessed and happy new year. Even if you don’t make any new resolutions for 2023, maybe just remember, a rising tide lifts all ships.

Yours Truly,

Dani Anderson

Publisher, Editor, Chief Bottle Washer

P.S. For a little fun read, check out the upcoming Year of the Rabbit. Year Of The Rabbit 2023: Predictions For All 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs (yahoo.com)