“We will work to be the eyes, ears and voice of Lake Superior and its peoples, revealing the mystique of the lake through quality writing, graphics and photography.”

It’s good to have a mission in life and the one above is the mission of Lake Superior Magazine.

It revolves, not surprisingly, around the magnificent body of fresh water and the entire region of “Lake Superior.” It also focuses on the lake’s “peoples,” as it specifies, because our histories and experiences are so varied despite our common watershed home.

We strive to fulfill this goal in each issue. Even if you are reading these words for the first time, I hope that you recognize their fruition in the past issues - as many as 30 years worth - that you’ve received.

Yes, with this commemorative issue, Lake Superior Magazine celebrates 30 years of publishing. When you read the “Lake Superior Journal” by our current publisher and former editor, Paul Hayden, you’ll see what’s gone into launching and floating this magazine. It has beaten the magazine odds - nine of 10 of them don’t survive the first decade, let alone thrive after three.

I’m often told, “You must have a great job,” meaning the chance to learn about, travel about and write about Lake Superior. It’s with more amazement than pride that I say, “Lordy, this is a great job.”

I was born and raised in Duluth, literally dreamed of the Lake when I lived elsewhere and fulfilled a dream in returning home. Another dream - one I didn’t know I had - came true when I came to work for this magazine. I discovered that I also have a mission.

First, there is Lake Superior - that magnificent, mystical gift. On these pages, we share this inland sea with others who love it or who are newly exploring it. We protect what we love … and this magazine reminds people to love this Lake. (In this issue, see others tell “Why We Love the Lake.”)

Then there are the people - the residents and visitors, the engaged readers, generous advertisers and responsive vendors, our writers and photographers and, of course, our regular crew here who deserve (but alas seldom get) every bit as much credit and recognition as an editor gets.

What’s more, our staff, from back office to front, is committed to integrity, to quality, to service (and, hey, to sneaking in a bit of fun) that makes this truly a “great job.” You get to meet our crew later in this issue and read their Lake favorites in our special “Staff Favorites: Best of the Lake.”

Beautiful photography has been one hallmark of this magazine. It was started by a photographer and covers one of the best looking places on the planet (again, just facts, not pride or anything).

Journalistic integrity has been another hallmark - we do not sell our endorsements or our stories - and it is another reason to love this job. True, I might have swinging moose and plastic frogs in my gardens, but I’ve got high standards for my chosen profession. Those standards find a comfortable home here. We honestly celebrate the people who live around the Lake and try to teach more about this 10 percent of the world’s surface fresh water.

As perhaps the only “watershed” magazine, we strive to balance stories from our three states and one province. To improve coverage and encourage local ideas, this anniversary year we are creating an advisory board representing every county around the Lake. These folk will help us to better cover your corner of the Big Lake (whatever your shore). We trust that all our readers will be our advisers, helping to celebrate and protect our Lake in the next three decades.

So when asked about my “great job,” I can sincerely say, “Yup, I’m on a mission. How lucky am I?”

And when you are asked about how great it is to visit or to live by Lake Superior, you can say exactly the same thing. Thank you for joining us on our journey.

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