A New Chapter

I’m a physician.  And I can tell you that there is no greater compliment in life than for a patient to, literally, put their life and trust in your hands.

It is the highest compliment – and of course, a great responsibility.

In a way, being a publisher is very similar.

It’s a great compliment that readers trust you to share the community’s stories accurately and with care.  And it is an equally great compliment when advertisers trust you with their hard-earned (and often scarce) dollars, hoping that you can help their businesses succeed.

Joshua Sherman, M.D., CEO, Old Mill Road Media 

I’ve always taken my role as physician seriously.

And I’ve always taken my role as publisher very seriously.

As many of you know, my wife, Carolyn, and I were partners in this venture that we lovingly call “Old Mill Road” – and since her passing in May 2023, I’ve been evaluating my next steps. 

Publishing Stratton Magazine, VERMONT Magazine, Manchester Life, and THE GUIDE has been an incredible chapter in my life – but it is time to share these prized community possessions with the next stewards. 

I am thrilled to announce the sale of these four publications to Green Mountain Media Group, a Vermont-based company, owned and operated by Jen Kane Paterson and John Paterson.

The transition marks an exciting new chapter for some of Vermont’s most beloved publications.

These magazines have celebrated our community for decades. Stratton Magazine has been a pillar of the region for over 60 years, THE GUIDE and its predecessor (Vermont News Guide) has been serving local readers for over 80 years, and VERMONT Magazine has featured stories from around the state for almost 40 years.

When you inherit titles with that kind of history, you don’t really “own” them—you just care for them until it’s time to share them with the next custodian.

And now is that time…

Over the past year, I’ve worked closely with John as part of the Old Mill Road Media team, and during that time, it became very clear that John and his wife, Jen, were the right fit to care for these publications. Given their extensive career backgrounds in print media, digital media, and finance, John and Jen are the perfect people to carry these publications into a successful future.

Old Mill Road will continue as publisher of Berkshire Magazine and will remain actively involved in Vermont’s musical and cultural community via our state-of-the-art recording studio, Old Mill Road Recording, but Green Mountain Media Group, based in Weston, VT, will assume ownership and operation of Manchester Life, Stratton Magazine, VERMONT Magazine, and THE GUIDE,

You’ll be learning more about John and Jen in the coming weeks.  But I would like to share a bit about them here first.

I think you’ll be impressed.  I am.

A seasoned veteran of the national publishing, marketing, and advertising industries, John Paterson brings decades of experience to his new role at Green Mountain Media Group. After graduating from Dartmouth College, he spent nine years at Time Inc., working primarily with the PEOPLE magazine franchise and helping to launch and drive advertising sales for InStyle, Teen PEOPLE, and PEOPLE en Español. He later served in sales management roles for the Meredith Corporation, developing custom programs for leading titles such as Better Homes and Gardens, Family Circle, American Baby, Fitness, Traditional Home, and others. In the digital space, he co-founded and later sold a leading online corporate recruiting platform and has spent the last decade building targeted print and digital programs in the healthcare sector at companies such as PatientPoint, Health Media Network, and CheckedUp.

On the personal side, John’s Vermont roots run deep. His parents moved the family to Vermont in the 1980s, and his mother - a noted children’s author - still lives here, as do his sister and her family.

Jen Kane Paterson, who will be overseeing the financial side of the business, has a thriving independent wealth management business geared towards serving high net worth individuals across the country.  Jen graduated from Colgate University and enjoyed a career in investment banking and institutional research sales at Salomon Brothers, Goldman Sachs, and Banc of America Securities.  She was also a Partner at a major FinTech company, before starting her current practice.  Jen’s love of Vermont was fueled by her passion for horses, having competed in the Hunter and Jumper divisions at the Vermont Summer Festival in Dorset over the last three decades. 

After many years spent visiting the Green Mountains, John and Jen moved their own family to the Manchester/Stratton region and now live on a small farm in Weston with their two children, who attend Burr and Burton Academy.  The family enjoys the full calendar of Southern Vermont’s skiing, mountain biking, festivals, concerts, and village life.  You’ve probably already seen them out and about… you just may not know them yet. 

One of the most meaningful aspects of the transition to me, is that many of the extraordinary team members from Old Mill Road Media will be joining Green Mountain Media Group: Kim Jones (our VP and head of sales) has nurtured deep relationships with advertisers and local businesses for decades. Art Director Len Kenyon has been the creative force behind the look and feel of these magazines; and core members like Jen Hathaway, Craig Light, and Donna Burgess have been indispensable.  

Although she kindly allowed me to take over her “Grab Bag” column this week, you’ll be thrilled to know that Megan Demarest, who has really become a warm face and trusted voice for our community, will continue her work as Editor of Manchester Life and THE GUIDE under Green Mountain Media Group’s leadership. 

I hand these treasured publications to the next stewards with complete confidence, and I couldn’t be more optimistic about what’s ahead—for Green Mountain Media Group, for Old Mill Road Media, and for the communities we serve.

These Vermont-based magazines have always been about connecting neighbors, celebrating local stories, and shining a light on the people and places that make this region special. That mission continues—and we are all just so genuinely excited for what comes next!

Please join me in congratulating John and Jen on their exciting new endeavor. 

I hope you will continue to support them and these publications, which are so critical to our eco-system.

Part of being a physician is ensuring a safe “hand-off” to the next provider.  John, Jen, and I have worked closely together for months to do just that.  To ensure that these very valuable community assets remain so.

And before I sign off… I’d like to add a special thank you to all of the clients, advertisers, subscribers, partners, writers, photographers, contributors, musicians, contractors, friends, and neighbors who’ve made Old Mill Road possible. 

We look forward to continuing our collaborations with you. 

Old Mill Road isn’t going away.  We’re just starting a new chapter. What better way to start a new year? 

Many exciting announcements ahead, so please stay tuned.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, successful, and joyous 2026 filled with love and adventure…

Thank you again for putting your trust in me for so many years.  It’s been an honor.