Ramblings from the publisher

It seems that the run of HedraNews has come to an end. It is with a very sad heart that I have come to this decision.

I’m so very sorry to say that this, the June 2026 issue, will be the last issue of HedraNews... I am retiring.

I know this will most likely seem very sudden to you, however, for me I have been considering retirement for a while now because sadly, there are not enough advertisers contracting with Hedra anymore or I would probably have tried to hang on a few more years. I put a big effort into getting more advertisers the last few years ~ yet here we are.

Regardless if there are 20 or 60 advertisers, I still need to do the same processing. It’s a lot of time and cost put into each issue regardless of how much income it may generate.

The world is, and has been, doing social media and everything online for many years now and I never jumped on board to keep up with the times... and unfortunately, advertising in a printed paper is fast becoming a thing of the past. I feel that being in the online/social media arena is where marketing has moved to.

However, Hedra has always been more than just a marketing place. It’s been a spiritually grounding connection for community. An educational tool of alterative options and perspectives that could make our lives better and fuller, if we choose. Remember, the choice is always yours.

I will sorely miss the community that has developed through the paper. I have had the honor of connecting, sharing & growing with so many of you. Hedra has been a divine gift on many levels, not only to the community, to me as well.

There has only been 2 times in 354 months (yes! that’s 29 years and 6 months) that I did not put out a monthly issue. The first time was in the very beginning ~ I did a two-month issue for May & June of 1997 when my mom & I went to Europe for a month (the business was not portable back then like it is now.) And the other time was when I ended up having an unexpected extended hospital stay and missed putting out the Feb. 2012 issue.

Having the responsibility of creating the Hedra every month has seen me through many highs and lows in my life but I always had this source of positivity to help me through whatever life handed me ~ and I am eternally grateful for that.

We have learned so very much over the years through the advertisers & writers that have shared their knowledge with us. I too will greatly miss the HedraNews paper and all the wonderful people I had the privilege of interacting with and all the knowledge I have gained.

I feel bad about stopping (I can feel hearts breaking ~ my own included) because so many times over the years our readers have shared about their love for Hedra and expressed at times how Hedra has help change their lives. Our Hedra readers are so, so very loyal! Thank you for the wonderful energy we have shared over the years together.

I have considered that there may be another chapter, of some sort, for HedraNews down the road. Who knows maybe something will crop up one day. I’ve thought about maybe doing a yearly “You Choose Guide” again, like I did back in 2008. I guess I’m saying that I am open to possibilities that don’t require a monthly commitment but that would keep HedraNews alive in some manner.

It wouldn’t surprise me if the “right” someone steps up to pick up where I’m leaving off. It could be a possibility ~ we’ll see what happens.

Please remember what we have learned and shared together all these years. Remember who you are and who you are not. Take wonderful care of yourselves and in doing that you will help others to do the same. Keep the magical, supportive, loving energy of HedraNews in your minds and your hearts... and remember that you matter!!!

I am now looking forward to a new hopefully, exciting and loving, chapter in my life. Retirement seemed so far away yet here it is! I will miss ALL OF YOU! Advertisers and loyal Readers alike. It had been my great joy to have provided this vehicle of sharing with you.

I have so many stories from all my years doing HedraNews however, in the emotional state I am in while writing this farewell article, these are one’s that are running through my mind right now.

* The very first issue I did had 3 spelling errors on the front cover. As I was delivering the Hedra’s I pointed out these errors, to a receptionist whom I’d never met, and she said to me ~ “Oh! So, you mean you are human just like the rest of us?” That was really BIG for me. Since the 4th grade, when my teacher put up on the board one of my spelling tests with an “F” grade, I had been embarrassed about my lack for spelling. This receptionist had given me permission to be human. And yes, this human does still make errors however now it doesn’t make me feel less than enough.

* I went to an event at Boise Center on the Grove years ago and people kept coming up to me, mostly in groups, they’d say, “Look it’s the Hedra Lady” and would come over. It scared me at first, kind of made me feel like a movie star or something. Over time I accepted that my work meant something wonderful to a lot of people. Now I just smile and enjoy our interactions.

* I was once asked if I would do an Ad as a trade for going to the event they were having. It really pushed my boundaries because the event was a sweat lodge and fire walk weekend. Turned out I love firewalking. I walked on fire 9 times in the next few years and would do it again if the opportunity ever arises. Let me tell you, that experience changed my life!

* One of our advertisers kept calling me a great editor... and I kept saying “No, I’m not an editor.”, I just put the paper together and get it published. Over time she did convince me that, yes indeed, I actually had become a good editor. Many others had also started complementing me on my editing. Thanks... This has made me really proud of myself.

* I received a phone call one day from a group of women. They were homeless ladies that wanted to tell me how much they looked forward to the Hedra paper every month. It was so uplifting to them all and helped them to remember that they were not just their circumstances. And they made a point of telling me they used the papers for many things but they never burned them. I was so honored by their call to tell me that the Hedra was scared to them. I told them... please, if you’re cold go ahead and burn them to stay warm.

It is with my own breaking and weeping heart that I say good-bye, and tell you one more time, that I love you.

Debbie