Dear Apartment613 Community,
It is with a blend of admiration, gratitude, and a touch of nostalgia that we announce the forthcoming departure of a truly remarkable individual from our Apt613.ca editorial team. Alison Larabie Chase, our Senior Editor since 2020, will be concluding her tenure with us in 2024. As we begin this transition, we wanted to take a moment to express our deepest appreciation for the impact Alison has had on our blog and organization.
Alison’s time running Apt613.ca has been nothing short of extraordinary. From her very first post as a volunteer contributor in 2015 to her current role as Senior Editor, Alison has always demonstrated a commitment to excellence, passion for the arts and local stories, and a keen sense of community. Editing over a thousand articles, guiding numerous contributors, and training our staff editors, Alison has left an indelible mark on the quality and consistency of our content.
Under Alison’s leadership, the Foodie Friday section of Apt613.ca has absolutely flourished. She hired our first Food Editors, Zachary Resnick and Kiersten Vuorimaki. Her love for cooking and baking has translated into an amazing collection of articles that not only feature good restaurants but also celebrate the local makers, chefs, business owners and entrepreneurs behind Ottawa’s culinary scene. If you’ve been reading Apt613.ca for any length of time, you know that weekly columns come and go! The long-running success of Foodie Friday is a testament to Alison’s creativity and ability to connect with our readers and contributors through the universal joy of food.
Among other outstanding achievements, Alison played a pivotal role in launching the #Support613 Gift Guide, an annual project that showcases local businesses and artisans. Through this initiative, Alison made sure that Apt613 would not only promote local business but also encourage our readers to discover the vibrancy of niche local communities, shop locally and support the incredible talent that Ottawa has to offer. Her dedication to fostering community connections in Ottawa has been integral to the spirit of Apartment613.
Behind the scenes, Alison has been the calm in the storm.
Behind the scenes, Alison has been the calm in the storm, putting out fires with grace and responding thoughtfully to some of the most challenging emails we’ve ever seen. Her ability to handle adversity with a level head and a caring touch has been truly commendable. Alison’s resilience in the face of… quite frankly, some incredibly harsh and unreasonable letters from readers at times… reflects her commitment to maintaining a space where diverse voices can be heard, even in the most challenging moments.
As we reflect on Alison’s time with Apartment613, we can’t help but acknowledge her contribution to our Canadian Online Publishing Award-winning blog. Her hard work, dedication, and innovative approach have been instrumental in shaping the success and longevity of our publication. Apartment613 would not be where it is today without Alison’s tireless efforts and unwavering commitment.
To Alison, we say thank you. Thank you for your creativity, your dedication, your resilience, and your genuine love for our community. Your impact on Apartment613 is immeasurable, and your legacy will continue to inspire us as we move forward. As you embark on new editorial adventures, we wish you the very best! You will be greatly missed, but your influence will undoubtedly endure. Visit soon and visit often!
