Cheers to Love! Celebrating Our Anniversary in the Heart of Spokane – A Pacific Northwest Adventure!

It kind of creeped up on us at Inlander HQ: While the hamster-wheel of our weekly publication has consistently turned for over 31 years, we have also been producing a bi-monthly glossy magazine for a significant portion of that time.

As a contributor since the inaugural January 2005 edition (“On Your Feet” — a narrative about fall prevention) and editor since 2008, even I was taken aback when we decided to compile our archives on our white wall here at the office for a photograph. Observing all the vibrant issues — each symbolizing two months of endeavors from countless writers, designers, photographers, illustrators, and guest columnists — evoked joyful memories. It’s an assorted body of work.

We initially emerged as InHealthNW, an evolution stemming from an Inlander special section — “Healthy Living” — that resonated deeply with readers. For twelve years, we dispatched reporters to investigate a wide array of health-related subjects — including optimal practices in fitness and diet, strategies to mitigate stress, techniques for a better night’s rest, children’s health concerns, and parenting insights. We also explored broader issues within the healthcare sector, such as how surgical checklists inspired by the airline industry enhance patient safety, the early challenges surrounding electronic medical records, and even the reasons behind physician burnout.

In 2018, we broadened our scope to encompass homes, allowing us to narrate stories about fascinating aspects of local culture that didn’t quite fit within the Inlander, such as the work of our region’s architects, builders, and interior designers. This led to the inception of Inlander Health & Home.

I’ve genuinely relished guiding readers through numerous local homes — ranging from downtown condos to mountainside ski chalets, newly constructed residences eager to accommodate large extended families, restored historic homes, eco-friendly “passive” homes, and even a delightful tiny house. Through all these narratives, we’ve aimed to illustrate the various ways individuals in our region define “home.” While many aspects of these projects are aspirational, there’s always something valuable to learn and potentially implement in your projects.

Since 2016, Ali Blackwood, our art director, has been my primary collaborator, crafting the cover and the majority of the pages for each issue. During our production process, I delegate the stories and prepare them for layout. Ali receives a word document, and voila! — each story materializes on the page. Observing this transformation is always refreshing, and Ali’s technical skills along with relentless creativity make this role immensely enjoyable.

From everyone on our team who contributes to the production of this publication, we all hope you appreciate it as much as we do!