I have to be honest. The very first “Best Of” issue I bought was not Hudson Valley magazine. It was Westchester Magazine. My friend Robert had just started his job at the publication and, knowing I lived in Northern Westchester, he asked me if I had any suggestions from my town and surrounding area. I helped him out, happy to share my love of my favorite haunts. When the issue finally hit the newsstands, I purchased it, eager to see which of my suggestions had made the cut. And then I was hooked. I read the magazine from cover to cover, at the pool, in bed, at the dentist’s office. I kept the issue in a handy place year-round. By June of the next year, it was tattered and filled with a rainbow of sticky notes.
We hear similar stories from our readers at Hudson Valley magazine, and we are proud that you use it as your guide to all that is best in the region. But this issue includes not only what our editors think is best; more than half of the winners are from you, our readers. Even the editors’ picks are not solely the editors’ ideas. Sure, they are based on our extensive travel and research throughout the Valley, but there’s only so much ground we can cover (and food we can eat) in 12 months. We also pick the brains of the rest of the Today Media staff, readers, business owners, friends, family, teachers—anyone who cares to share their opinion.
The more input the better, as far as we are concerned, which is why we are starting something new this year. We have created a submission form for suggestions for Best of Hudson Valley Editors’ picks, which will live on our website’s Events page year-round. Tell us what you think is a worthy pick or category and we’ll try to check it out. And, of course, our Readers’ ballot will return in February, so you can cast your vote for your favorites there as well.
Obviously, we take this Best of Hudson Valley thing pretty seriously. And we take celebrating the winners pretty seriously, too. Come see for yourself at our Best of Hudson Valley party on October 13 at The Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel. It may be the only party in the Valley where you can find cocktails, cupcakes, waxings, and workouts.
Kathryn Walsh
Editor
The Best of Hudson Valley allows us to share our favorite things with you (and vice versa). Here are some of my new and old favorites from our list. Show us what you love by posting photos to our Instagram and Twitter feeds (@hudsonvalleymag) using #MYBESTOFHV.
For Best of Hudson Valley party tickets and to suggest an idea for next year’s list, go to www.hvmag.com/BOHV.
