by Martin Palicki, Publisher
Few people will remember that Judith Rubin’s first article for InPark Magazine was in our Fall 2005 issue, just one year after our debut. The topic: A special event at what was then Paramount’s Kings Dominion (Richmond, Virginia) providing guests the opportunity to meet what Judy called “their favorite scrubby-chinned, sensitive, puppyish-yet- manly leading men from the CBS soap opera Guiding Light.” The event was a natural tie-in for CBS and Paramount, both owned by media giant Viacom.
Among others, Judy profiled a 15-year-old named after Guiding Light lead character Reva and a middle-aged postal worker who claimed the event was the second most thrilling event of her life, outranking multiple Elvis sightings.
Of course, all good things must come to an end. Guiding Light wrapped up its 57-year television run in 2009. Cedar Fair purchased Paramount’s Kings Dominion in 2006 and is currently in the process of merging with Six Flags. And Judy is now hanging up her editor’s hat at InPark after nearly 20 years of writing for, editing and transforming this publication. (For more on her future plans, see her editorial opposite this one.)
Without a doubt, InPark would not be where it is today without Judy. She has pushed the magazine to move into new markets (museums, expos, AV technology, etc.), guided us into and around the world of social media and expanded our PR capabilities – all skills she gained from decades of working in the industry.
Nearly every article we have published has benefited from Judy’s keen editorial sense. A wordsmith by nature, there has never been a sticky semantic situation she couldn’t save us from with skill and savvy.
I had no idea when I agreed to publish her pitch about soap opera stars in a theme park that Judy would become such a wonderful, long term friend and business partner. She really is InPark’s “guiding light!” I’m lucky, honored and grateful for having the opportunity to work with her so closely…and I look forward to continuing to work with her in various ways over the coming years. Thank you, Judy!
