Editor's Letter: Awaken 25

Growth always means letting something go. Trees drop their old leaves so new ones can grow. Old buildings get renovated to make way for something fresh and exciting. Even haircuts remind us that sometimes you’ve got to snip the dead ends to feel brand new.

But letting go doesn’t mean forgetting. Small towns, with their deep roots and endless character, show us how to hold onto history while building something incredible for the future. No one knows this better than Mike Wolfe and Leticia Cline, who’ve made it their mission to preserve and celebrate the magic of small-town life (p12). And in Tennessee, small towns are thriving, blending old-school community with new-school ideas—places you absolutely have to visit (p38).

And it’s not just towns. Chef Lordfer Lalicon is putting Filipino flavors front and center in the Southern food scene (pXX). Brigid Reedy is keeping cowboy poetry alive for a whole new generation (pXX). And those charming motor courts from back in the day? They’re making a comeback, and they’re cooler than ever (pXX). Everywhere you look, the new is springing up from the old, reminding us that the best things never really go out of style.

That’s what we’re leaning into at Good Grit—travel, discovery, and the joy of finding stories in places that might surprise you. You’ve told us how much you love dreaming about where to go next, so this year we’re giving you even more of that. More places to explore, more reasons to pack a bag, and more chances to connect with the world around you.

With all this exciting change, I have one of my own to share: this is my last issue as Editor-in-Chief. It’s time to hand over the reins and make room for new voices to lead the way. But I’m not going far—you’ll still find my name in these pages as a writer, because I believe in everything Good Grit is about: celebrating the places, people, and stories that deserve a closer look.

So here’s to 2025—a year of growth, curiosity, and adventure. Let’s travel slower, dream bigger, and discover what’s waiting just down the road. Let’s go places, together.