"MagazineClosures" news and stories

When my great-aunt Flora finally had to give up living independently and move into nursing facility, all my Philadelphia relatives pitched into help our cousin Betsy clean out her mom's apartment. A lifetime of furniture, dishes and objets d'art were given, donated, pitched and sold. I acquired a half-moon shaped hallway table, several very heavy pint glasses, and small selection of Flora's Gourmet magazine collection.

You see, Flora was something of a expert home cook, and from the time she finished medical school (she was a bit ahead of her time), she would often relax by going home and cooking elaborate meals. Gourmet magazine was her favorite supplement to frequent shopping and dining trips to Europe and over the years, she amassed a considerable collection of back issues. She read each issue cover to cover, and many of them bear the signs of being taken into the kitchen and cooked from.

When I heard the recent speculation that Gourmet will be one of the next major magazines to fold, I immediately thought of Flora (as well as the countless other people, myself included, who adore the magazine the Ruth Reichl helms). I hope it's not true, but worry (especially in light of some of the other recent glossy closures) that it's a prediction that will come to pass.