"...create a society to match the scenery."

[Meghan Saar]

I came across this quote today that made me think of what we try to do here at True West:

"...create a society to match the scenery."

Here's Wallace Stegner's full quote, in case you're interested:

"Angry as one may be at what careless people have done and still do to a noble habitat, it is hard to be pessimistic about the West. This is the native home of hope. When it finally learns that cooperation, not rugged individualism, is the pattern that most characterizes and preserves it, then it will have achieved itself and outlived its origins. Then it has a chance to create a society to match the scenery."

I wouldn't go so far as Stegner did here, as rugged individualism certainly did and still does characterize the West, yet cooperation is certainly just as integral to its heritage and its survival. I just felt it was quite fitting to read his phrasing about creating a society to match the scenery. I feel we are trying to do that with all of you in this community and in our pages. Yet the more we can infuse that sense of community in the magazine, the better!

If you have any suggestions of how we can do that, please do chime in! Or if you think we are doing anything right, we also like to hear that too :)


Cheers,

Meghan Saar
Managing Editor
True West Magazine

[Bob Boze Bell]

Love that quote. Stegner was quite the guy.

[Mark]

A few years ago I bought a watercolor of a stagecoach from the actor/artist Buck Taylor and he signed it: "Keep the Old West Alive". I've been trying to do that and I think that's exactly what you're doing. Keep it up!

[Danny Meadows]

In my opinion the west and everything western are purely iconic American images recognized around the world. Think about the year the Olympic team wore cowboy hats, SASS clubs around the world and western reenactors in England. The Cowboy boot , sparklie Nudie suits and Nashville. Our silver screen hereos and the amazing history and characters of the real west ....I love it all and I love the experience here and True West Magazine thanks to BBB, the staff and all the community members.
Sincerely ,Danny