Sixth Edition of St. John Magazine Continues To Stun Readers and Showcase the Best Aspects of the Island

Contemporary Casa Mare is highlighted in the sixth edition of St. John Magazine. Written by Mauri Elbel and photographed by Bob Schlesinger

Exploring on Drunk Bay is featured in “Best Bay for Any Day.” Written Mauri Elbel and photographed by Fernando Ramos.

The V.I. National Park’s annual Folklife Festival. Written by Jaime Elliott and photographed by Eliza Magro.

A night-blooming Cereus is featured in “St. John After Dark” by Steve Simonsen.

St. John native and world-renowned steel panist Victor Provost is featured in the article on St. John School of the Arts, where Victor first learned of a steel pan.

The newest edition of St. John Magazine landed on St. John shores last week, with the signature breath-taking photography and in-depth editorial features which readers have come to expect from the MaLinda Media publication.

The sixth edition of the glossy, over-sized publication is full of editorial spreads covering the distinct island life, people and history which make Love City so special. From food, two very talented local chefs who approach their art from vastly different standpoints are featured this year, to history, up and coming designers and island elders, the newest edition of St. John Magazine will entertain and educate readers. Which is exactly what makes the publication different from other local feature fare, explained publisher MaLinda Nelson.

“St. John Magazine is editorial-based,” said Nelson. “It’s not cluttered with advertisements, allowing readers to become easily engaged in our articles. The advertisements speak for themselves and appeal to readers because they’re not cluttered throughout the magazine. The clean layout of the magazine is one of our trademarks.”

Although St. John is merely 20-square miles, there is no shortage of fascinating tales to share and interesting people, from artists to culture bearers, on which to report. Nelson had a difficult time choosing one favorite story in the sixth edition of St. John Magazine, she explained.

“Answering the question which is my favorite feature in the magazine is tough because I love all of my articles,” she said. “I have never published something I didn’t love. My ever-growing idea list is full of stories I believe are essential to what makes St. John stand out.”

The very existence of the latest publication, released during a still lagging world wide economy, is testament to both Nelson’s talent and the continued appeal of all things St. John.

“Thankfully, even with the down economy, I still have loyal advertisers who believe in me and the product my team produces,” said the publisher. “Trust and consistency have taken me further than actual dollar amounts. The real challenge is always the deadline – it constantly gets pushed in all facets of production from editorial material to advertising copy and the design phase.”

“Even I push it,” Nelson said. “When I’m not feeling creative, I can’t get myself to layout articles even though I have all the necessary components. However, many times I’m waiting for material at the last moment, and then I’m forced to be creative due to the deadline.”

While this issue marks Nelson’s sixth time putting out a top-notch, professional magazine dedicated entirely to the island of St. John, she continues to find inspiration in the pages of St. John Magazine and the island which the publication features.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see, touch and read the magazine in its completed form,” said Nelson. “I’m always on the edge of my seat when I open the box of advance copies from the printer. Every time I hold a new issue in my hands and open it up, I am quite stunned with how it all came together.”

“My inspiration continues to come from what I have experienced on St. John personally, which is what I believe makes the island an extraordinary place,” she said. “Another inspiration is the team of writers and photographers I work with on each issue. Their talents are beyond professional. They are able to connect to their assignments and subjects through their writing and photography like I could not have imagined. They are truly the heart and soul of the St. John Magazine.”

The new issue of St. John Magazine is chock full of the amazing photography and professional writing which is Nelson’s trademark, but there are a few new twists in the sixth edition. New this issue is a Question and Answer column titled “Business by the Bay” which features long-time island business owners.

“It’s chance for the community to get to know the most prominent business people on St. John and find out what makes them so successful at what they do,” said Nelson.

Missing from this issue is the usual St. John Magazine column penned by long-time island resident and St. John School of the Arts co-founder Ruth “Sis” Frank, who wrote amusing and insightful stories about days gone by on the island. Frank passed away last year and the fifth edition of St. John Magazine featured the final column she wrote. But Nelson, who was a close friend and a big fan of Frank’s, hasn’t forgotten the power-house that Frank was.

“‘Business by the Bay’ is featured where Sis’ stories were previously featured in the magazine,” Nelson said. “Unfortunately, the last column by Sis was published last year. This year I dedicated the magazine to her. She was a huge supporter of me personally and I will never forget the very candid moments we shared together.”

“In this issue, we feature the St. John School of the Arts and Sis’ legacy,” said the publisher. “Writer Mauri Elbel’s article showcases what Sis loved most, the arts, and she would be thrilled about this. And of course, Sis would have told me ‘it’s just marvelous.’”

Be sure to pick up a copy of the newest edition of St. John Magazine, available at retail outlets across the island.