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| THE COLONY NEWS | JANUARY 2026 | 3 From the Desk of Kathy C. Stevens Welcome to January 2026! Personally, this month marks my fifth year here in the Colony. I have met so many people with interesting life experiences that I continue to be amazed at how one community can attract such a wide range of people with such varying backgrounds. We have authors, engineers, a former missionary, an Emmy winner, lawyers, marketing executives, physicists, contractors, teachers – I could go on and on. My new year's resolution is to ask people to share their story and how their path led them to the Colony. Sometimes we meet people and forget they have a life full of past experiences. We form an opinion because we only see the "here and now." I have a friend I've known for years and just recently found out she worked for Jack LaLanne. I was star struck! Jack LaLanne hosted the first and longest-running nationally syndicated fitness television program, e Jack LaLanne Show, from 1951 to 1985, with two beautiful white dogs – and I watched that show as a child. This conversation opened up a whole new connection in our relationship. My own path includes a variety of adventures just because I like to try new things. One summer I volunteered to be a "KIIS Miss" for the KIIS radio station. I organized and put on a sandcastle building contest and authored an article about the event for the station newsletter. It was a fun summer experience. Another summer I volunteered for the Laguna Beach Marine Mammal Center and helped them get funding by writing grants and doing research. Many times, we take our experiences for granted and forget that all these life experiences shape our lives. In looking forward, I hope 2026 brings a bit of closure to the community. As I am writing this, we are waiting for the Sheriff 's department to process the Writ and issue a foreclosure date for the acquisition of the golf course. The foreclosure will mark an ending to a lengthy process that has gone on for too long. So, with the start of 2026 I wish everyone the best! Take a moment to really talk to people and share things that matter. The challenge of day-to-day living will always be there, so enjoy a heartwarming conversation with a friend. Relationships are what truly matters. Be well, Kathy.