editor's note

The first time I went to a Gym Dogs meet, I had no idea what to expect—in fact, I'd never
been to a gymnastic meet anywhere. As it happened, I sat right behind a very chatty fellow
who was giving his friend, also a first-timer, an orientation to the phenomenon. As I
eavesdropped on their converstation, I learned which gymnasts to watch on what events and
how Georgia was expected to trounce the visitng team, but what really caught my attention
was my neighbor's description of the coach, a woman he referred to only as "Suzanne," who
would arrive momentarily in a snappy suit and pencil-thin high heels, walking in with a strut
to rival a runway model.

The overheard introcudtion I got to Suzanne Yoculan was intriguing, but the Gym Dogs coach's
legacy surpasses both gush and gossipy hearsay. Professionally and privatelly, Yoculan has been a polariziing figure, but her tradition of excellence and self-possessed attitude are impossible to
deny, and worthy of celebrating. With Yoculan retiring at the tend of the 2009 season, Chris Starrs talked with her about what she's accomplished and where she's going from here. Their candid concerstation starts on page 14.

While Georgia's gymnasts are hoping 2009 is the year of the Bulldog, Shelby Wright, a special
projects manager at Foundry Park Inn & Spa, knows it's the year of the ox. The annual Chinese
New Year party she throws for firends in the hospitatliy industry may have thinking the same.
Her stylinsh fete, featured in "East Meets West" (page 28), gives plenty of ideas to usher luck and porsperity into your life.

Since it's the season of new beginnngs, we've expanded our wedding section to bring you
Athens Weddings, featuring photos of area couples and gorgeous fashions and goods for your own special day. In "Catch of a Lifetime" (page 70), take a peek at the winter wonderland wedding
of Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann and Ashley Jarusinski. With ties to Athens, the couple
selected several local vendors for their event and incorporated surprises into the celebration that
made the day special for everyone.

From fresh starts to dramatic endings, changes are part of life–and work. With this issue, we
welcome our new publisher, Scot Morrissey, to Athens, and bid a fond farewell to Jeff Wilson, who retired at the end of 2008. As our leaders pass the torch, I hand the reigns back over to editor
Margaret Blanchard, returning from maternity.Here's to the New Year–and whatever changes it
may bring.

Cheers,
April Moore Skelton, Associate Editor