Legacy Magazine
April 2025
Let us welcome you to April, a time to usher in spring, a time when hope blooms eternal. It’s the start of the second quarter of the calendar. A time for celebration: Easter, Passover, Arbor Day, Earth Day, National Poetry Month, Jazz Appreciation month, both Arab-American AND Scottish-American Heritage month, and a face-full of pollen allergies. During April the Titanic sank, we witnessed the first human spaceflight, and “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World” began The American Revolution.
It’s also the second month we’ve published our magazine without James Anthony Ellis, our editor for over 10 years. We’re learning what it takes to continue publishing at the level of commitment and excellence he brought to us. We dedicate this issue to our friend, partner, and hero.
Also in this issue we lay out the future direction of MDI from our best leaders. It’s called “Meet Doug!” We all have a ‘Doug’ in our lives, and Doug wants a men’s team.
We’d proudly like to introduce our new columnist, the man, myth and legend – Michael Burns!
Now we’ve set the table for you, we humbly ask you, Dear Reader, to read on!
Doug is in the house!
The future of MDI is here
Fundraiser for the family of James Anthony Ellis
Dear MDI Members,
I hope this message finds you well. As many of you know our dear friend, Jennifer Ellis, is facing an unimaginable loss after the unexpected passing of her husband, Jim, on February 4th.
Jim was a champion for humanity and a valued member of our MDI family, impacting many lives through his work.
Now, navigating life on a single income, Jennifer is burdened with two mortgages and unexpected expenses related to Jim’s passing.
To help alleviate this financial strain, Kristin (sister) and Dawn (soul-sister) have set up a GoFundMe campaign to support her. We are kindly asking you to consider donating to that campaign. This will help to cover:
– Final resting plans for Jim
– Living trust attorney fees
– Household expenses, including critical repairs and utilities
No amount is too small and every contribution will be deeply appreciated. Your support can bring Jennifer peace of mind during this challenging time.
CLICK HERE to donate and support Jennifer
For those who prefer to send a gift card, or to offer help in other ways, please click the link for more details. Let’s unite to support Jennifer and to honor Jim’s legacy through our kindness. Thank you for your generosity.
Barry Finnen
A Dedication for James Anthony Ellis
Michael Burns
Columnist
Mr. Ellis, Jim Ellis, was a great man, a man who did great deeds that inspired and supported a great number of people (including me). He created MDI’s Legacy magazine, which became a valuable vehicle for us to further the exploration of ourselves and to share what was discovered from those explorations.
This magazine has been a gift, one that encouraged, prompted, and incentivized me to write more often and better. Jim personally gave me – and others – the priceless acceptance, confirmation, and affirmation of the quality of our articles.
His choice – to voluntarily stop giving of himself in service to others by ending his life – may not be seen as a great course of action. Some of us will also question ourselves as to whether we gave our best to prevent Jim from giving up, from quitting.
I believe every one of us has our own unique answer to the question, “what is Truth?”
I never met, saw, hugged, worked with, or ate with Jim in person. I have no clue as to what Truth was to him. Yet what is true about Jim for me is that he “encouraged, prompted, and incentivized me to write more often and better.”
Maybe it was the Truth that Jim felt he had successfully completed yet another leadership role after years of dedicated,
unconditional love. Perhaps he had lived his Purpose, and left a legacy that can be an example to those of us who will sustain his gift of Legacy magazine. Maybe he was done? Only he knew.
It seems that Jim’s life had a very full plate of challenges outside of herding cats who like to write, and of producing a smooth,
high quality magazine online. Yet he made the time to provide this opportunity for communication to us all, month after month.
I am in awe of, and full of gratitude for, Mr. Jim Ellis, my nomination for Legacy Magazine MDI Man of the Year.
Burnsy In The House!
Two more articles from our new columnist, Michael Burns. Enjoy!
SURPRISE!
April is Also the Month for APRIL FOOLS
Here are 30 April Fools articles from the archives – IN YOUR FACE!
It’s a bit we call ‘Legacy Follies.’
