Signs of Intelligence…Rural Intelligence

The other evening at La Cienega, I met Dan Shaw.  I was pleased to be introduced to Dan, as I have been following his and Marilyn Bethany’s on-line paper, Rural Intelligence, for a few months.  In fact, they included Hammertown in one of their early “Rural Road Trip” installments.  (A Spring Drive in Northern Dutchess County).  Dining with Dan was Margaret Roach.  I was delighted to meet her as she was the first Garden Editor for Martha Stewart Living magazine and was (until recently) editorial director over all of the company’s content: magazines, books, and internet.  She has, by the way, created a great new website: www.awaytogarden.com

Early on I had heard about Rural Intelligence.  Mary (aka Auntie M) and I found it interesting that they seemed to be on the same path we were on.   We have often picked up on the same events and great restaurants in the area and write about them at the same time.   Rural Intelligence, however, covers more of the Berkshire Region as well as cultural and social events in a much more comprehensive way as both Dan and Marilyn come from extensive (and impressive) journalistic backgrounds.  And, they are both now full-time local residents — Marilyn lives in Columbia County, NY and Dan, in Litchfield County, CT

Marilyn has been the home design editor of The New York Times Magazine and New York Magazine. She was the editor-in-chief of Buzz magazine and the executive editor of Los Angeles Magazine. She has written for Vogue, Town & Country, Elle Décor, and Architectural Digest.

Dan was a founding editor of the The New York Times Sunday “Styles” section. He has been features editor of House & Garden, as well as deputy editor of HomeStyle and O at Home magazines. He has written for publications that include Berkshire Living, House Beautiful, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine and Real Simple. He regularly writes the “Habitats” column for The New York Times Sunday Real Estate section. He is also the founder of The Falls Village Blog.

Having Rural Intelligence as a quality, online source for local news and events in our area is not only convenient and entertaining, it is worthwhile because it focuses its attention on our hometowns, its residents and helps to support local businesses.

Kudos to you, Rural Intelligence - and welcome to the neighborhood!!