The many communities in Brookhaven and Lincoln County are rich, diverse, unique — and connected.

Everybody knows everybody, or at least knows someone who knows someone who knows everyone. You get the idea.

Part of our mission as a newspaper is to connect people with the communities around them. A better-connected and informed public makes Brookhaven and Lincoln County stronger.

There are plenty of divisions here, just like anywhere else, but we aim to show people just how much we all have in common. We are stronger together, and we occasionally need reminding of that.

With that in mind, The Daily Leader has begun work on the biggest project we will undertake all year. Our new Profile edition, titled “Connected Communities,” will publish in February, but reporters, editors and advertising staff have already started work on the project. When we’re done, we’ll publish a comprehensive look at some of the area’s greatest characters and assets.

The newspaper hasn’t undertaken a project of this magnitude in years, and it’s one we can’t wait to show you. Many of you will hear from us as we reach out to those interesting characters for stories and photos. Local businesses will also hear from us about advertising in the special edition.

For the next four months, Profile will take us down back roads, to out-of-the-way businesses and, eventually, into the homes of our readers.  That’s a responsibility we take seriously, and we are committed to delivering a product you hang on to all year.

Profile is different from the daily edition of our newspaper in many ways, but the most significant is its shelf life. Yesterday’s newspapers are either in the trash or lining the bird cage, but Profile’s shelf life is much longer. The annual edition is meant to be enjoyed — not in a single reading like the daily edition — but over days or weeks or even months.

We look forward to showing you the end product in February, and we’re confident you’ll look forward to Profile year after year.