Working for a magazine makes you partial to certain issues. The “Best of” is certainly one of ours at CRL. It’s just as exciting for us to see which businesses placed among the top three as it is for the businesses themselves. After all, like our readers, we at CRL use the “Best of” issue as a reference for what to do and where to go. Of course, it’s also fun to peruse the “smart alec” responses. For instance, one of our readers responded to the survey by acknowledging that if he or she knew the best place to meet singles, they wouldn’t be filling out our survey, while another admitted that he or she wasn’t sure where to meet singles, “but if you find out, let me know”.
Aside from the “Best of” component, this issue also features our first annual Mother’s Day makeover. The typical mom who sacrifices everything for those around her, Marianne Kulzer is a very deserving mother, but we couldn’t have recognized her without the help of Allison Meyers of Seemless Clothing Consulting, Joe Elario of Joe Elario Photography, Jean Claude Simille of Jean Paul Spa and Rick Hardy of JCPenney. Turn to page 34 to see her amazing transformation. I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to nominate their friends and loved ones. Next year, maybe it’ll be your mom!
Finally, on a sadder note, I would like to dedicate this issue to the memory of Jose “Joch” Payano Jr. of Amsterdam. Earlier this month, Jose tragically lost his life as a result of a senseless crime. He was a childhood friend of CRL Art Director Steve Teabout, who described him as a much-loved barber in the community who was unfailingly polite, kind of heart and generous to a fault. In fact, according to Steve, whether “you knew Jose one month or one year, he was always there to help you…” I didn’t know Jose personally, but from all the wonderful things I’ve heard about him over the years, I can only say that we could all use more people like Jose in our lives. Our hearts go out to his family and friends during this unfathomably difficult time.
Mary Beth Galarneau
marybeth@crlmag.com