Dear Family and Friends,
Ho, ho, holy moly! It’s that festive time of year again, and we’re here to spread some holiday cheer—and maybe a bit of laughter too. This year has been a wild ride, and we’re beyond thrilled to share our adventures with such a fantastic group of people (yes, that means you). With so much happening, we’ve decided to break this letter into sections. Feel free to read what interests you and skip the rest. Ed and I took turns writing, so if you get confused by the changing voices, just assume I (Jeryd) wrote the parts that didn’t quite hit the mark, and Ed wrote the parts you loved.
Here’s an overview of our whirlwind year of adventures! We were vendors at two major horror cons, celebrated three graduations, witnessed two beautiful weddings, enjoyed two wedding showers, made seven trips to Greenville, SC, two trips to Nashville, one trip to Chattanooga, and two trips to Gatlinburg. We’re delighted to report that we made it through unscathed! It has been a busy, exhilarating, and memorable year. We’re grateful for every moment shared with family and friends. Our little family had quite an adventure this year.
ED
Ed has been a busy bee this year. He’s constantly navigating countless tasks each day. In his spare moments, he’s often found writing podcast episodes, always pondering the next storyline and how the world of Ravens Vail will evolve. His talk show-style podcast, The Cauldron, has taken off. He and his co-host, Jacob, have indeed found their stride, making this a standout year for the show.
Last year, I got him the equipment he wanted for Christmas, and it has rekindled his passion for creating physical media and art. He’s been busy designing custom podcast merchandise such as stickers, banners, and skate decks. Throughout the year, Ed has gotten into more elaborate creative projects, continuously enhancing the quality and complexity of his designs. His progress showcases his artistic growth, dedication, and ingenuity. Seeing him bring his imaginative visions to life with such enthusiasm and skill is inspiring.
Over the past year, Ed has significantly refined his web design skills. He has impressively designed and managed 12 websites, showcasing his dedication and expertise. These sites serve our company, providing a professional online presence. His innovative designs and meticulous management have enhanced our digital footprint, reflecting his ongoing growth and creativity in web development.
He also has been maintaining his full-time role as the President of Arbor, consulting as the Educational Consultant for the Tennessee Massage License Board, volunteering for five separate national committees for the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, reading 87 books, and being a wonderful husband, he somehow found time to support me in my own personal endeavors.
JERYD
When Jeryd isn’t busy shaping minds as the Director of Education or attending to patients in his private practice, he’s quite the jack-of-all-trades. He’s been perfecting his tango at Champion Ballroom, reaching the silver level, so don’t be surprised if you catch him waltzing around!
Jeryd’s not just a smooth dancer; he’s also started taking Brazilian jiu-jitsu lessons and rolling with the best of them. Adding a musical twist, he’s picked up the mandolin (in addition to playing the cello and bass), treating us to impromptu serenades.
On the bookworm front, Jeryd has devoured an impressive 93 books this year. When he’s not lost in a good read, you can find him zipping around on his longboard or bike, soaking up the fresh air and sunshine.
He’s still plugging away at writing his fantasy novel. For our monthly Dungeons and Dragons campaign, he takes on the role of Dungeon Master, crafting epic tales and thrilling adventures. Jeryd has a hobby for every occasion!
PODCAST
The increasing success of Ravens Vail prompted us to expand and upgrade our podcast office to a much larger space, conveniently located just down the hallway from the original, to accommodate our growing ambitions. Last December, we evolved into a full-fledged podcast network, proudly presenting three distinct shows.
Our flagship, the Ravens Vail Podcast, is a southern-gothic horror series set in an alternative Appalachian universe that Ed created. In its second season, the storyline delves into the mysterious world of witches and magic.
The Ravens Vail Cauldron, now in its third season, is our dynamic talk show. It explores a wide array of topics, from cryptids to child hunger, offering thought-provoking discussions and fascinating insights.
We’re thrilled to introduce our newest addition, the Ravens Vail Coven. This unique podcast features content submitted by our listeners, bringing diverse voices and stories to the forefront.
The horror-themed music and storytelling festival we created, Appalachian HorrorFest, has been a remarkable success! In its second year, the festival once again sold out. Due to the event’s rapid growth, next year, we’re moving to a much larger venue to accommodate the increasing engagement.
Our inaugural Mystic Ravens Masquerade was a huge hit. This enchanting costume party was an evening filled with mystery and magic. Guests enjoyed captivating live performances, spellbinding music, and elaborate costumes.
MASSAGE
As Arbor College-School of Massage celebrates its 15th year, we’re thrilled to share that our school continues to thrive. Our dedicated staff, enthusiastic students, and an incredibly supportive community have helped us create an environment where excellence and growth flourish. We are proud to offer a safe space for all students.
In a necessary but poorly planned decision, Tennessee significantly increased the requirements for massage education from 500 to 650 hours and reclassified several classifications. Although these changes were necessary, the state legislature rushed the process. Unfortunately, this left the message board with quite a mess to deal with. The board only had a few weeks to execute the new requirements, so they gave us only eleven days to begin planning our curricular adjustments. Basically, our school was the only one affected by the tight time frame due to an impending enrollment happening 8 days after the board’s rule was enacted. This has required us to majorly overhaul our curriculum while accommodating dozens of currently enrolled students.
Jeryd and I have once again been appointed to the National Exam Development Committee for the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards – Massage and Bodywork Exam. This honor allows us to contribute our expertise and insights in developing this critical examination, ensuring it upholds the highest standards of excellence. This opportunity is a significant professional achievement and a chance to give back to the community that has given us so much. We are deeply grateful for the trust placed in us and excited to continue our work to advance the standards and quality of massage therapy.
I’m incredibly proud of Ed for being appointed as one of the six individuals to the National Taskforce for the Creation of Educational Standards for the Massage and Bodywork profession. This appointment is a testament to his expertise, unwavering dedication, and relentless passion for advancing the field of massage therapy. His contributions will play a crucial role in shaping the future of massage and bodywork education, addressing a vital need within our profession. By establishing comprehensive and effective educational standards, he will help ensure that future practitioners are well-equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide exceptional care.
For over 25 years, the field of massage therapy has lacked cohesive educational requirements, often left to the whims of random lawmakers, lobbyists, and veteran massage therapists who insist that the next generation must learn everything they did, even if some of that information is now outdated. This new initiative could be the catalyst that shifts our industry from the hands of shoeless, crystal-wearing hippies to the realm of the medical field. While bare feet and crystals will continue to hold value for some and remain relevant in appropriate spaces, the broader access and education the public will gain when massage therapy is respected as other well-defined complementary and alternative medicines will greatly enhance the health of Americans.
MISCELLANY
We’ve reached another milestone by purchasing the building where our second Professional Massage Clinic was located. This was our very first free-standing clinic for the Massage Remedy Brand. This achievement marks a significant expansion for our business. Our dedicated staff have truly embraced our vision for this clinic, transforming it into an outstanding success. Their hard work, passion, and adherence to our high standards of care have made “Massage Remedy” a beacon of excellence in the community.
We’ve got new neighbors! Grandma Julie and Papa Jack have purchased the property right next to ours as their home away from home. We’re thrilled to have them as neighbors and can’t wait for all the shared moments and adventures.
Well, folks, we didn’t mean to make this update so long, but here we are. We’ve faced our fair share of challenges, but we’ve tackled them together like holiday pros. We hope this season brings you as much joy and wonder as a reindeer in a snowstorm. We’re beyond grateful for your presence in our lives and can’t wait to see what shenanigans the New Year will bring.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a joyous winter season filled with laughter, love, and the occasional snowball fight.
With all our love and a sprinkle of holiday magic,
The Bolden-Greer Family
Ed & Jeryd;