Rural Intelligence’s founding editors Marilyn Bethany and Dan Shaw conceived of a cultural and lifestyle magazine — an online publication — that would foster a sense of community across state and county lines. Their vision quickly came to fruition, but RI has done more than that: it has engendered a bonhomie among its readers who love it, as these unexpected and wonderful emails illustrate. They appeared in our inbox a few months ago from NW Connecticut resident Jennifer Barrows. We’ve never met (except in the online world of RI), but it sounds like we have…and that, to me, is what makes Rural Intelligence so magical. But, unfortunately, RI can't publish on love alone. We need 1,500 readers to contribute or we will cease publishing at the end of March. Please click here to become a supporter now.--Lisa Green, Editor
Dear Rural Intelligence: I absolutely LOVE this publication and the region which it serves. This is the most amazingly beautiful area. I just received today's online mag and I've already consumed it. Now off to find one of your recommended adventures. Thank you. Your friend, Jennifer Barrows We sent her note of thanks, and she responded:I didn't have enough room to express how much I love Rural Intelligence. It has truly made me come to LOVE living in this very special pocket of the world. We have taken many, many day trips to explore areas highlighted by RI, which otherwise would have eluded us. I will definitely let you know if I have any ideas for articles, thank you for that offer — though I suspect you will already have written about them! One of our favorite places, about an hour from us, is The Southfield Store (a restaurant/coffee-/teahouse in Southfield, MA, just ten minutes north of Norfolk, CT) and its sister entity, The Old Inn on the Green, a cozy and romantic haven for anyone with a love of historic architecture and culinary perfection (New Marlborough, MA). I suspect you have already highlighted those sweet spots in RI. But on the off chance that you have not yet, they are awesome oases well worth exploring, particularly Oaxacan Night, Thursdays at The Southfield Store, May-Oct. The store serves dinner four nights a week, May-Oct, but is otherwise open 365 days a year, during daytime hours. Their chef is native Oaxacan and his Mexican fare on Thursday evenings is to DIE for. Candlelit dinner at the Old Inn is about the most romantic evening I can remember having in a long time. It's like going back in time. Thanks to your publication, we have many adventures in the works. We're planning to hit the kitty cafe in Red Hook and a few of the great spots you mentioned in downtown Hillsdale — and about a hundred other events/parks/walks/art exhibits. I have to get a separate day planner just for our RI adventures. We've not yet been to Frederic Church's estate, but as a huge fan of the Hudson River School, I'm drooling after reading about it on RI. And that photographer you featured who does the horses and other animals — seriously...I can't keep up with all the gorgeous possibilities. I could go on and on, but you have a life! Best regards, and thanks again! Jennifer Barrows Rural Intelligence needs your help. Unlike other websites, we haven’t put up a paywall, but the expenses involved in publishing RI can’t be met by advertising alone. We are asking readers to step up to the plate so we can continue to cover the people, places and events that make our region so special. We need 1,500 readers to contribute or we will cease publishing at the end of March. Please click here to become a supporter now.
