Greetings,

The regular season is finally here after probably the longest offseason in recorded memory. (Note: this record gets broken and set again every offseason.) September is upon us and other than an unwelcome early break in the action otherwise known as a Week 4 Bye, it is very excellent to have the Green Bay Packers on a weekly rotation once again.

If you happened to pick it up, we hope you enjoyed the August – and inaugural – issue of Packerland Pride. If this is your first encounter, thanks! We’re your Central and Northern Wisconsin Packers fan magazine, looking to give you the sort of writing and coverage on the Packers and you, the fans, you won’t find anywhere else. In this issue we trace Green Bay’s long receiving roots through history with help from Wisconsin author Denis Gullickson; we look at how much Lambeau Field has grown up over the years; we assess the Packers’ retooled running game, find out the Packers Hall of Fame’s Frequently Asked Questions, watch Wounded Warriors play flag football against former Packers, rank 10 great Packers rivalries, offer tailgating do’s and don’ts, and more.

Speaking of you, the fans: now that the regular season is underway its close relative, tailgating season, hits its peak as the weather should be relatively inviting for hopefully the next few months. With that said, we want to hear about your tailgating plans or traditions, recipes and activities, whether you’re coming over to Green Bay for a game or there’s another spot somewhere in Central or Northern Wisconsin we need to see. Whatever the case and wherever you are, let us know (email us at ggotta@mmclocal.com) and we just might show up to tailgate with you – if you’ll have us.

Additionally, as always, we’d love to see and publish your Packers fan photos in future issues, so keep them coming – the more unique the better. We’ll admit a weakness for pets dressed in Packers gear, so those are especially welcome.

As far as Packerland Pride goes, the regular season means we’re stepping up, too. During the 2013-14 campaign, you’ll be able to hear us talking Packers from time to time on ESPN Radio’s Sports Fan 100.5 FM, based out of Wausau, with Downtown Ollie Burrows. (You may have already heard us a few times.) And, the Monday after each month’s issue of Packerland Pride hits the stands, I’ll be joining Sports Fan 100.5’s live Monday night show, “Monday Night Endzone,” from Dale’s Weston Lanes in Wausau starting on Sept. 9. If you’re around, come on down. I’ll be handing out copies of the magazine and, hopefully, meeting some of you folks.

Upcoming dates for these and other radio appearances will be posted on our Facebook page, which you can find and “Like” by searching “Packerland Pride.” This is also a good place to receive Packerland Pride updates in general, as well as post fan photos and/or simply talk Packers.

Lastly, a couple more programming notes: first, we are taking Packerland Pride to the Internet, and hope to have its new website up and running in the regular season. Facebook will again be a great place to look for updates on this, but soon you will be able to read Packerland Pride stories, as well as original online content, wherever you are. This, like the magazine, will be another evolving process, which means we’d like your input. Email (ggotta@mmclocal.com) with suggestions for what, other than magazine stories, you’d like to see on the web version of Packerland Pride going forward.

Secondly, Packerland Pride will, starting right now, be offering subscriptions to the magazine, which will include all nine issues per year. The nine issues span the NFL’s entire season, then go bi-monthly in the quieter spring and summer months before ramping up again for training camp. We are very excited to be offering this to anyone who happens to be a Packers fan, wherever they are, by delivering each issue to your door. Inside this particular issue you can find more information and, to kick this thing off, our special reduced price subscription offer. We want Packerland Pride to reach as much of the fanbase as possible, especially in Central and Northern Wisconsin, but also to anyone that sees things in varying shades of green and gold. So, if you want, go forth and subscribe.

And thanks again, as ever, for picking us up. The offseason shenanigans are finally over and all of us, and our shenanigans, need to get on the regular season level. So starts the best time of the year, another season with the Packers. Let’s hope it’s a long one.

Go Pack!

Griffin Gotta
Editor, Packerland Pride
ggotta@mmclocal.com