Antiques and The Arts Weekly is published in a small town, not so unlike most other small, close-knit communities across America and around the world. Our Main Street is quaint and historic, our neighbors friendly. Over the past few days, the media has described our community as bucolic and termed us Rockwellian. It is, we are.

All that changed in a heartbeat, however, this past Friday when a shooter forced his way into one of our elementary schools and killed 20 children and six adults. It was a strike so devastating that our breath has been knocked from us and our hearts have been broken. It is impossible to relate the feeling of this tragic loss, the anger and devastation that surrounds us. The senseless taking of lives, 20 children, all of them six or seven years old, and the six elementary school personnel who taught and cared for them, is unimaginable… let alone the thought of a son shooting his mother to death.

We will never be able to fully comprehend this tragedy, and the flood of endless emotions that arise from it are often overwhelming.

To all of our advertisers, subscribers and friends who have sent condolences to Antiques and The Arts Weekly and The Bee Publishing Co., we express our appreciation and we all thank you.

As we seek answers and solace, we look to God, community and friends for support. Please know that your comforting words and caring thoughts have helped to further us along in our healing process.

R. Scudder Smith, Publisher/Editor

David S. Smith, Managing Editor