Editor’s Page – March 2026

Big Shoes to Fill

There are moments when stepping forward also means pausing and looking back with gratitude. Becoming editor of El Ojo del Lago is one of those moments for me. This magazine did not simply arrive on the page fully formed. It was shaped, nurtured, argued over, refined, and protected by people whose vision and commitment gave it life and longevity. Two of those people deserve special recognition as I begin this role: Victoria Schmidt and Alejandro Grattan-Domínguez.

Victoria Schmidt brought El Ojo steadiness and intelligence. Her business background gave her the rare ability to balance creativity with practicality. It is often invisible to readers, but this combination is the backbone of any publication that survives beyond good intentions. Victoria’s greatest gift to El Ojo was her people. She guided El Ojo with a firm editorial sensibility and a trusted circle of contributors, lending the magazine a recognizable voice during her years as editor. With more than four decades devoted to writing and publishing, her columns and editorial choices reflected both experience and conviction.

Alejandro Grattan-Domínguez’s influence on El Ojo del Lago cannot be overstated. As our editor for nearly 30 years, he maintained a dynamic and diverse publication that attracted quality writers and journalists. He believed deeply in storytelling, in cultural exchange, and in the value of giving the community a forum. Alex’s background as a screenwriter, film director, and acclaimed novelist brought a cinematic eye and narrative confidence to the magazine. He understood pacing. He understood character. Most importantly, he understood readers. Under his guidance, El Ojo never lost sight of its audience, even as it evolved.

Together, Victoria and Alejandro represent two essential pillars of this publication: professionalism and imagination. They set a standard that is not easily matched, and stepping into this role comes with a deep sense of responsibility. I am under no illusion that I can simply “replace” either of them. Shoes this well-worn are shaped by decades of walking. What I can offer instead is respect for what has come before and a commitment to carry it forward with care.

El Ojo del Lago has always served a particular purpose. It informs, but it also connects. It introduces neighbors to one another. It explains the rhythms of life here. It celebrates creativity while also serving the practical needs of its readers. We publish everything from light-hearted pieceslamenting modern appliances run amok, to restaurant guides, and the Lakeside Living events section. We also offer special coverage of community cornerstones like the annual Northern Lights Musical Festival, for which El Ojo publishes a dedicated insert each year.

I would be remiss not to acknowledge the beating heart of Lakeside’s creative writing community: the Ajijic Writers Group – founded by Alejandro Grattan-Domínguez and later carried forward by Victoria Schmidt. I have been a member since 2017, and I can tell you firsthand that El Ojo would not be the publication it is without the amazing folks who gather in the garden of La Nueva Posada the first and third Friday of every month. Many of the stories, essays, and reflections that appear in these pages are first vetted there. They are tested aloud, polished with feedback, and shared in the spirit of camaraderie and improving craft. The group is now guided by long-time member and tireless moderator Carol Bradley, who credits the group and El Ojo with reigniting her desire to write. The relationship between the magazine and the group is truly symbiotic: the writers group helps nurture both experienced and emerging authors and the magazine offers a home for their stories.

As editor, my hope is not to radically reinvent El Ojo, but to listen closely to our writers, our advertisers, and most of all our readers. I want this magazine to continue being a place where stories are accessible, thoughtful, and grounded in lived experience. A place where voices are welcomed, not amplified for shock or controversy, but chosen for clarity, insight, and relevance.

Thank you, contributors, readers and the Tingen family for trusting me with El Ojo del Lago. I look forward to walking the next stretch of this road together.