April is shaping up to be one of my favorite months of the year. It begins with the celebration of Easter and ends on a magical note.
As a Catholic, Easter is the highlight of my faith — a celebration of Jesus’ sacrifice and His victory over sin through His death and resurrection. It’s also a special time for our family. Each year we celebrate Easter mass with our grandchildren, followed by a joyful tradition that has grown into something truly remarkable.
Four years ago, my wife Andrea started an Easter egg hunt at St. Rita Church Uptown. What began as a simple way to celebrate with families attending mass has grown into a massive community event filled with laughter, excitement and the joy of children running across the church grounds searching for eggs.
Later in the month, I’ll travel to Chicago for a publishing roundtable with 11 other media companies from across the country. Our group of 12 independent publishers gathers twice a year to exchange ideas, share challenges and discuss best practices. The conversations are candid, confidential and incredibly valuable. As a business owner, I encourage every leader to find their own “group of 12” — trusted peers who challenge you, support you and help you grow. The lessons learned through these relationships are immeasurable.
April 22 marks Mayor Helena Moreno’s 100th day in office. If I had to give a grade so far, it would be an “A.” Yes, we’ve had our share of challenges — including water main breaks — but the shift in morale across the community is noticeable. Her consistent communication and honest assessments have helped set a tone of accountability and optimism. Last month, our neighborhood organized a multi-block cleanup and beautification effort — something we hadn’t done in years. It feels like people are inspired to do their part to make New Orleans better and more beautiful.
As I mentioned, my month ends on a magical note. In celebration of one of our granddaughter’s birthdays, Andrea and I are taking her on a quick trip to Disney World — the “happiest place on earth.” We’re looking forward to a little Disney magic and the chance to create memories we will cherish forever.
Todd Matherne, CEO and Publisher
Renaissance Publishing
Illustration by Paddy Mills[/caption]
