A word from Hudson Valley Editor in Chief, Olivia J. Abel
So how much do you make?
Gee, talk about a conversation stopper. When we set out to do our first-ever cover story on local salaries, we quickly discovered that this question is not only a serious social faux pas at cocktail parties, but nobody wants to discuss it even in a business context. Apparently, how much you bring home in your paycheck is information that’s even more personal than the details of your love life.
It’s no surprise we’re all so mum on this subject. With the sputtering economy (yes, we know the recession officially ended in June 2009 — but can you really tell?), a flat housing market, and plenty of unemployment to go around, it’s a sure bet that most people feel they aren’t bringing home quite as much bacon as they would like to be. And really, who wants to be told that the next-door neighbor — the one with half the amount of education that you have — is actually making twice as much as you are?
But let’s be honest: we’re all curious. And, luckily, many salaries are a matter of public record. With a little digging, we were able to learn how much your child’s elementary school teacher, the firefighter down the street, and the mayor of your town all pull in. And that’s just the beginning. You might be surprised at who earns what, so read on to get the goods; the fun starts here.
Also in this issue, we’ve got plenty of great reasons to get excited about the cold weather — really! Our winter sports roundup highlights five different activities, from skiing and skating to ice fishing, that will get you off the couch and out the door this season. With 10 downhill ski areas right in our own backyard — many of which offer a variety of specials — it’s easy to take the whole family for an affordable winter outing. You might also be inspired to check out an ice boating competition on the river in January or February. I wasn’t aware of the storied history of this sport — the Hudson River Ice Yacht Club, which is still in existence, was started by a Vanderbilt — but it simply adds to the allure of watching these classic boats gracefully glide on top of the icy Hudson.
And of course, the holidays are upon us once again. Let our annual gift guide inspire you to find that perfect treasure for everyone on your list — while simultaneously supporting our local merchants.
Enjoy the holidays.
Olivia J. Abel
Editor In Chief