Thank You for Being Part of Our Journey for the Past Five Years
By Daniel Reider | Publisher
Published in Northampton Living | October 2025
All the years combine, they melt into a dream.
I moved here in November 2019, with bright eyes and a dream. Northampton wasn’t just a new location for me – it was a place I intended to put down roots.
I felt drawn to the New England charm, the eclectic people, the natural and created beauty. My kind of weird, that welcomed me with open arms.
But not at first, of course. I had to earn it. Aren’t the best things in life always that way?
I heard:
“A print publication will never work now.”
“Nobody reads anymore.”
“People don’t care about their neighbors.”
And so much more. Many times, I considered swallowing my pride, putting my tail between my legs, and finding a new “home.”
But I persevered. Northampton Living launched during the pandemic in 2020, and here we are during another turbulent time in our country in 2025. We all need to be reminded about the good, the positive, and the local — a reason to smile at your neighbor passing you on the street. That shared glance that says We’re all in this together.
This is more than a magazine. It brings people, community, and businesses together. This is your social media in print, focusing on what unites us instead of what divides us.
There are two things that truly motivate me as a publisher: bringing joy to people and helping local businesses grow. I feel grateful that we live at the intersection of these two things. I love seeing someone’s face light up while mentioning all the goodwill they’ve received after being featured, or getting a call from a business sponsor saying this is the best marketing decision they ever made.
I also love the impact we make in the community. We get to use this platform to shed light on some of the incredible charities and nonprofits in the Pioneer Valley. I’m so humbled when those organizations tell us how many donations they have received or how many more volunteers they’ve gotten because of our articles.
We all have busy lives, but it’s good to take a step back, put your phone down, maybe get a cup of coffee and be present — in Northampton Living’s oasis of positive, educational, and local community content. All of which is provided by our fellow residents!
Reach out your hand, if your cup is empty
And if your cup is full, may it be again
I am a single father to my son Liren. All parents know that nothing compares to that joy of knowing you are your children’s world. You feel it in your veins, your heart and your soul. First, I want to make him proud – and secondly, I want to honor all of you.
Thank you to all our loyal readers. Thank you to all our business sponsors, who have made all this possible and kept our publication free to residents. Support local! Thank you to Melissa and Nikki for being such great partners in this journey.
Without love in the dream it will never come true
Cheers to five years, and to five more!
Lyrics by Robert Hunter, Daniel’s favorite poet.
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